Last Week at The Wolverine Den

Michigan 21 - Purdue 16 (Military Appreciation Game)

Michigan Stadium

November 1, 2025 - 7:00 p.m. ET

Tailgate Pictures

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Game Preview

The Michigan Wolverines take on the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday at Michigan Stadium. It will be the 4th night game of the year for Michigan and the 2nd at the Big House. These two teams met in the 2022 Big Ten Championship game with Michigan winning 43-22. Since that game, the two schools have moved in opposite directions. The Wolverines went on to win the 2023 National Championship and are contending for a spot in the playoffs this year. (more on that below). Purdue lost their coach, Jeff Brohm, to Louisville, replaced him with Ryan Walters and went 5-19 over his two-year tenure. Walters was fired after the 2024 season and is now the DC at Washington. So, they hire Barry Odom, who had one good season at UNLV. Odom has led the Boilers to a 2-6 record and 0-5 in the Big Ten.

The Purdue quarterback is Ryan Browne. He is 122nd in passing efficiency in the nation and has thrown 7 interceptions in 8 games this year. The top running back is senior Devin Mockobee. He is a decent runner and a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. Purdue averages 22.9 points per game, 15th in the Big Ten.

On defense, Purdue has yielded over 6 yards per play (110th in the nation) and has a -11-turnover margin (111th in the nation). They do have a good edge rusher in CJ Nunnally. But they are still the Spoilermakers. Purdue has 17 wins over top 5 ranked teams as an unranked team, more than any other team in the country. That includes wins over undefeated and #1 ranked Michigan in 1976 and undefeated and #5 Michigan in 1964. But there will be no addition to the Spoilermakers lore on Saturday.

Michigan is still in the running to make the College Football Playoffs. According to the Playoff Predictor on ESPN, if Michigan wins their last 4 games, they have an 86% chance to make the playoffs and a 47% chance to host a first-round game. The Wolverines will be double digit favorites in each of the next three games and an underdog in the final game against Ohio State.

Michigan leads the all-time series 47-14 and are 34-7 since the start of the Bo era. The Maize and Blue have won 14 of their last 15 night games. There will be no big drum, no loud train whistle and no Drew Brees comeback. Purdue has lost its last 14 games in the Big Ten.

Michigan is favored by 21½ points.

Post-Game Summary

The Michigan Wolverines moved to 7-2 on the season with a 21-16 win over the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday night at Michigan Stadium. The final score was surprisingly close. Purdue played a decent game and thwarted a few Michigan drives that could have made the margin more comfortable. But after Purdue cut the margin to 21-16 with 6 minutes to play, Michigan ran out the clock for the win.

Jordan Marshall, playing for the injured Justice Haynes, had 210 total yards of offense (185 rushing and 25 receiving) and 3 TDs. He was the star of the game, without question. Derrick Moore continued to play well with two more sacks, giving him 6 sacks over the past 3 games. With 8½ sacks on the season, Moore is first in the Big Ten and 8th in the nation.

It wasn't a masterful game but it was a win. And it keeps the hope of a playoff berth alive.

Steve's Prediction

34-16

Tim's Prediction

34-14

Brown's Prediction

35-14

Craig's Prediction

34-10

Steve 29, Brown 26½, Craig 18½, Tim 16

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