The Pioneer Press asked Sam King, a Purdue Boilermakers beat writer for the Lafayette (Ind.) Journal & Courier, to answer five questions about the Gophers’ visit to West Lafayette for a Big Ten game at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Here’s what King had to say in this week’s Opposition Research:

1. Purdue just ended a 19-game Big Ten losing streak with a 24-17 win over Illinois. Was it cathartic for the team and its fans?

Purdue needed to beat someone. The fans were tuning out, and it’s never a good sign in September when your fan base is asking how soon basketball season tips off. From that standpoint, even though it’s just one victory, it was massive. Fans now have belief they haven’t in a few seasons. Though coaches and players are providing cliché responses about moving on to the next game, the head coach and coordinator press conferences on Monday were noticeably more upbeat.

2. Minnesota transfer Fame Ijeboi has been the clearcut No. 1 running back for the Boilermakers, with 86 carries for 354 yards (4.1 yards per rush) and six touchdowns along with 11 receptions for 88 yards. How important has he been to the offense?

Purdue is still searching for its first 1,000-yard rusher since 2008. Through two games, it looked like Ijeboi would supply that and more. He’s a bit beat up now from a heavy work load, but he has shouldered the responsibility nicely. Even though his yardage has tailed off in recent weeks, the threat of Ijeboi in the backfield — he has made some big plays even though a few box scores don’t justify it — has opened up Purdue’s passing attack and made Ryan Browne one of the more lethal quarterbacks in the Big Ten.

3. The Gophers and Purdue are two of the lowest-spending programs in the Big Ten. How has head coach Barry Odom addressed the lack of resources? And how detrimental do you feel it is for the football program?

Fans believe it’s a simple fix. Spend more money, get better results. But you can look at Iowa, which is in the same ballpark, and see you can still do more with less. Purdue coaches are aware of the shortcomings. Odom has noted on multiple occasions that Purdue has to be a place where you recruit well, retain talent and develop players over the years. That’s his model; it kind of has to be. With a couple notable basketball exceptions, getting top-tier NIL money is hard in a place like West Lafayette, where some of the more notable alumni aren’t necessarily big into athletics. I’ve felt that Purdue should follow a blueprint that P.J. Fleck at Minnesota and Bret Bielema at Illinois have had success with.

4. What are the important improvements to start this season?

Browne was dumped on after a below-average season statistically a year ago. Fans cried for a veteran QB addition out of the transfer portal. Odom made it known he planned to stick with Browne, and Purdue is seeing the payoff of that decision. Receivers struggled to catch passes, and the offensive line was not up to par talent-wise in the Big Ten last season, which played a part in Browne’s numbers. Portal adds in Ijeboi and receivers Asaad Waseem (Florida Atlantic) and Xavier Townsend (Central Florida) have been good this season. And Browne put in a ton of work, traveling to Texas in the offseason for private workouts, and adding Peyton Manning and Drew Brees to his contacts list, both of whom he has leaned on for advice. If there’s one thing Purdue can hang its hat on historically, it’s quarterback talent. Browne’s first five games this season puts him on pace with some Boilermaker greats.

5. What are your keys to the game and your score prediction?

Purdue’s defense was atrocious for four games. Maybe it was the opponent, but you wouldn’t believe it was the same guys on the field on that side of the ball last Saturday at Illinois. The missed tackles in games prior became key stops, and the receivers had trouble finding separation. Purdue’s offense added playmakers through the portal to complement Browne. The defense until last Saturday had been a letdown. If it can replicate its play of a week ago, Purdue will have a chance.

Minnesota 28, Purdue 24

Source: Yahoo Sports