Michigan vs. Purdue: All-Blue Under the Lights
The lights will be on, the uniforms will be blue, and Michigan will try to keep its season rolling when Purdue comes to town. The Wolverines are fresh off a gritty win over Michigan State — not flashy, and some from both sides would say unwatchable — but now it’s about handling business under the lights at the Big House.
On paper, this one shouldn’t be close. But the biggest storyline this week isn’t about Purdue — it’s about who isn’t practicing. This week, we take a look at the Michigan vs Purdue Preview 2025 edition.
A Win That Took a Toll
Last week’s victory in East Lansing felt like classic Michigan football — heavy on the ground, physical at the line, and suffocating on defense. Justice Haynes was the workhorse once again, ripping through and around the Spartans for 152 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. He ran, oftentimes untouched, and Michigan rolled to a 31–20 win.
But by the second half, Haynes didn’t look like himself. He limped off more than once, and now, word around Ann Arbor is that he’s been spotted in a walking boot and using a scooter. That’s not the image anyone wants heading into November.
When asked about his star back’s status, head coach Sherrone Moore kept it brief. “We’ll see how he progresses through the week,” Moore said Monday on the Inside Michigan Football radio show when asked about Haynes’ health. Translation: they’re not giving Purdue anything extra to work with. And honestly, that’s smart. But it still leaves fans holding their breath.
The good news? Sophomore Jordan Marshall looks ready to carry the load if needed. Every time he’s touched the ball this year, he’s brought burst, balance, and attitude — exactly the traits Michigan needs to keep its offense humming.
It’s All About the “Drip”
In the middle of the injury buzz, Michigan dropped some news to lighten the mood…they’re going all-blue Saturday night: Jerseys, pants, gloves, everything. My son always reminds me, it’s all about the “drip“, but when the Wolverines go full monochrome, it feels less like a fashion statement and more like a message — business time.
The look has become a fan favorite, especially under the lights. And this week, it feels symbolic: steady, unified, no distractions. Whether Haynes suits up or not, the mission stays the same — win clean, stay healthy, move on.
Purdue Comes to Town
Now, let’s be honest — this isn’t a matchup that usually causes sleepless nights in Ann Arbor. Michigan leads the all-time series 47–14, and Purdue hasn’t beaten the Wolverines since 2009. The Boilermakers come in 2–6 overall, winless in conference play, and struggling to find answers on both sides of the ball.
They’ve been especially vulnerable against the run, giving up more than 150 rushing yards per game. That’s not ideal when you’re about to face the most dominant offensive line in the Big Ten.
So no, this isn’t a “trap game.” There’s no powerhouse looming next week (Northwestern’s on deck). This is about doing what great teams do: taking care of business and making it look routine.
The Game Plan
Expect more of the same from Michigan — physical dominance up front, a controlled passing game, and a defense that smothers. Purdue’s turnover issues could spell early trouble; the Wolverines lead the Big Ten in turnover margin, while Purdue sits at the bottom. That’s a dangerous gap for any underdog walking into the Big House.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Bryce Underwood throw a few more early-down passes to keep the offense balanced, but make no mistake — this will still be a run-first night. Whether it’s Haynes, Marshall, or both, the goal is simple: wear Purdue down and get out healthy. I think that some work on the passing game, with deeper shots downfield, would be beneficial practice against what essentially amounts to the JV squad of the Big Ten conference.
Saturday’s not about proving anything flashy. It’s about the Wolverines delivering early knockout punches and getting some playing time for the backups. It that happens, we’ll consider it a success.
PREDICTION: Michigan 37—Purdue 17
💬 What’s your prediction for Saturday night? Drop it below or head to MittenSportsTalk.com/community/michigan-wolverines to talk it out with the MST crew.
