Michigan needs to take Purdue seriously.

Hopefully with a Big Ten championship on the line Michigan does take them seriously. I am sure they will.

This is the Spoilermakers' Super Bowl.

They will get pumped sky-high emotionally by a Drew Brees pep talk and prepared to leave everything they have on the field in Indy.

I mean, sort of, this could easily be an emotional let down game.

But, as a fan, I'm not that worried. We're in the playoff either way, Purdue hasn't been world beaters, and let's be honest, it's all house money from here.

It would be amazing to win a national championship, but that path goes through Georgia, and Georgia is terrifying after what they did to us last year. Plus, we gotta get through TCU or USC first, I find both teams scary, USC proved they could play some defense last night, and TCU has been consistently disrespected and underestimated all season. 

I think the team will be up for it, they want that championship and that undefeated season, but this isn't a nail bitter for me. 

we do, but iowa as #2 last year was right up there with south florida in 2007 in the list of all-time frauds.

we’re the best team in the country.  michigan 41, purdue 17.  

Iowa at #2 for that single week last year was the most hilariously fraudulent ranking of the last decade. Michigan just demolished OSU on the road by 3 TDs. Purdue in a neutral site is not a problem. 

I think the easier game would have been a rematch with IA. I'm glad we are not playing IL again, they probably have the best D in the west and an NFL type RB. Purdue offense is good but I think we can score a lot of points on their D.

I don't disagree, but Purdue needs to take Purdue seriously as well. Did you see their game against Iowa? Woof 

Purdue's run defense stats are WEIRD.

Started the year great, sucked against Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Iowa.  Held Chase Brown down pretty well (4.3 ypc).  Northwestern Northwesterned.  Then yesterday Hoosiers were moving the ball pretty consistently on the ground up the middle until it got to be desperate.  They also broke off a 71 yarder (poor damn Jaylin Lucas having to be on Indiana because he's tiny)

"If we want to win the natty it starts here." ~ Mike Sainristil 11/26/22

The boys seem pretty focused. I'm not worried.

Get ready for some cheap shots in this game! Purdue is a low key dirty program

I'm thinking they fully understand that the road to the prize runs through Indy. 

They've been called the "Spoilermakers" since the 70s.  And I still remember what Bo said about them.  "Instead of how saying great it is they beat some ranked teams; maybe people should wonder why they lose to so many mediocre teams if they're that good." (paraphrased)

This year's team seems really focused, though.  Hopefully they will take command early and crush any upset dreams by halftime.  Purdue can spend the second half congratulating themselves on a successful season having made it that far.

I can't imagine this team, and this staff, failing to take an 8-4 Big Ten team seriously in a championship game. 

I agree with the other posters about the mindset of this team.  Still, Purdue has the advantage of being a huge underdog playing with house money.  They have a solid QB, TE and WR corp. their RB Mockobee is really good.  However their starting C is out and their defense is even more susceptible to big chunk plays than OSU. I could see this being a 42-17 type game.  

Harbaugh loves B1G championship. I think the order of his goals are, which ironically coincides with how College Football is nowadays, OSU, B1G championship and NC. One down and two to go. There is no way he is taking this game lightly. When he played, B1G championship game was a big deal and still is for him. Purdue is going to be pounded. Stokes is going to get a lot of snaps and watch out. DE is going to good as always but I am expecting Stokes to get a big bump with a full week of practice where he is going to get a lot snaps.

I am sure that JH and his staff has already started preparation last night, and the team will stay focused on beating Purdue. 

It's a really cool stat for Purdue.  It doesn't say how many losses Purdue has against #2 teams though.

I’m not sure people are aware how close to a home game this is for Purdue. The Google tells me it’s a 64-mile drive. If anybody went to the game last year, I’d be curious to know how much of a fan advantage we had over Iowa in LucasOil. Seems like we’re going to have to work a bit harder to help Michigan win there. 
 

Their DC is Ron English and we all know his track record vs mobile QBs. 

Purdue is opportunistic in trap games. Don't think they are ready for a Harbaugh face mashing.

Interesting challenge for the staff and team.  Hangover from this week, I assume Corum and others will be no-gos, and an underwhelming rival.  Confident they are up for the challenge, but I would not expect Purdue to roll over.   

I am personally not overlooking Purdue because I am excited that I get to see Michigan play an extra game prior to the playoff.  Besides, the Lucas Oil venue on television was pretty great with Michigan in the white jersey and blue pants.  I hope we do that again.

And I don't think the team will be looking ahead.  The B1G championship comes by beating Purdue.  Harbaugh wants two in a row.

Statistically, Purdue is basically Maryland.  Reasonably strong passing game, up & down run attack, and a mediocre defense.  Of course, the Spoilermakers will be fired up and ready to play, but so will the Wolverines.

Purdue and Brohm always puts tricks into their game plan.

Michigan absolutely needs to be 100% dialed in. Beating OSU but losing the B1G would be considered a massive failure by everyone on that team.

They'll be ready.

It was a subtle comment by JJ but I believe it was a peak into the teams mindset.  At the end of the post game interview he notes, "We're not done yet!"

I take that as Michigan has set the goal to win the Natty this year.  They made the CFB last year and I remember JJ, Blake and Anthony standing on the field watching UGA celebrate their victory last year.

To me, that was just the competitive athlete in each of those guys searing the vision of what can be for this year.

Yay, they will take Purdue seriously, no speed bumps moving forward.  The season isn't done and there is plenty to play for moving forward.

Harbaugh is a Bo disciple. You can bet he, the staff, and the players are taking a Big Ten Championship game very seriously. For many, many years, beating OSU and winning the conference were the goals.

TL;DR -- No worries, they will be focused.

This team appears to seriously prepare for its next opponent (insert Illinois comments here _____) and I’m sure is treating Purdue like the next great threat, but this article relies on data points dating back to  1936.  LOL.

I'm sure the coaching staff will be sharing that stat with the team.