Purdue (4-3, 3-1) at Michigan State (4-3, 2-2)

What do we do for an encore? Purdue is getting votes in the AP Poll. It has won four consecutive games for the first time in 11 years. We somehow beat the living hell out of the No. 2 team in America in a season where we lost to historical doormat Eastern Michigan at home. NONE OF THIS IS MAKING SENSE ANYMORE AND I LOVE IT!

It doesn’t get easier this week as we travel to Michigan State. The Spartans are struggling offensively, but they have won seven consecutive games over Purdue. Only Wisconsin has a longer active streak. Purdue might even be the hunted this week as some books have us as a slight road favorite.

We have a lot on the line aside from defending the THE and the College Football Championship Belt. A win might move us into the AP top 25 for the first time since 2007. It also would vault us into the realm of serious contenders for the Big Ten West. Northwestern and Wisconsin play this week with the winner taking the role of favorite, but a Wildcat loss puts Purdue’s destiny back into its own hands.