The Arizona Wildcats return to the postseason after falling short in 2016. They’ll face the Purdue Boilermakers, who despite finishing 6-6 SU this season squeaked into the postseason after defeating Indiana in Week 13. The Boilermakers opened as 3.5-point dogs vs the Wildcats.
- Purdue is 1-5 ATS in its past six bowl games.
- Arizona is 1-7 SU in its last eight games against the Big Ten.
- The favorite is 9-0 SU and 6-3 ATS in the last nine Foster Farms Bowls.
The Wildcats will rely on superstar quarterback Khalil Tate to carry them to victory. The sophomore signal-caller has been deadly with his legs this season, carrying the rock 133 times for 12 touchdowns and leading Arizona to an average of 41 points per game. Where the Wildcats fall short is their defense as they’ve allowed opponents to score over 40 points in four of their last five games.
Although Purdue only finished 6-6 SU, it’s a step up compared with years past. The Boilermakers had four consecutive seasons of three wins or less before this season but finished the year strong with wins over Iowa and Indiana. The bulk of the credit would need to go to the defense, which held teams to 19.3 points per game this season and under 20 points in four of their last six games. If they plan to win the Foster Farms Bowl, it will take a superhuman effort from their defense to contain Tate and the Wildcats’ explosive offense.
Arizona Wildcats vs Purdue Boilermakers Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Purdue Boilermakers are 6-6 so far on the season, and 8-4 vs the point spread. The Arizona Wildcats, meanwhile, are 7-5 and 5-6-1 ATS. Those OVER/UNDER betting have seen Purdue go 3-9 and the Arizona Wildcats go 7-4-1 on the totals. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Purdue vs Arizona injuries news.
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Boilermakers at No. 43 and the Wildcats at No. 45 heading into this contest.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Purdue Boilermakers' No. 97-ranked offense (24.17 PPG) against a Arizona Wildcats defense that ranks No. 109 at 34.08 PPG. The Boilermakers passing attack has averaged 239.5 yards per game, less than the Wildcats give up through the air (276.92 YPG on average).
In comparing defenses, the Wildcats own the league's No. 111-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 233.33 yards per game when on the road. Purdue, on the other hand, rates No. 78 this week in generating rushing yards at home.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last game, the Wildcats were Week 13 losers coming out on the wrong end of a 42-30 score against Arizona State.
In their last game, Purdue got a 217-yard performance from Markell Jones as a key part of its 31-24 win over Indiana.
