Purdue, 3-9 last season, ranked 97th among 125 FBS schools in scoring defense, 91st in rushing defense and 80th in total defense.

Toss in the fact Marshall returns running back Devon Johnson, who carried the ball 206 times for 1,767 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2014, and the Boilermakers defense will be put to the test from the opening possession.

It also does not help that starting linebackers Danny Ezechukwu (knee), JaWhaun Bentley (back) and Jimmy Herman (hamstring) are a bit banged up, and that projected starting defensive end Gelen Robinson is suspended for the first two games because of an operating while intoxicated arrest in the summer.

Last but not least, Purdue will be breaking in new safeties, juniors Robert Gregory and Leroy Clark.

This is a big showcase game for Marshal and as we always say, one cannot manufacture emotion. A national TV game at home against a Big Ten team in which the oddsmakers correctly tell is the Herd are the better team. They will blow them out.