ARIZONA (7-5) VS. PURDUE (6-6)
Site: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
Kickoff: Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. TV: FOX.
Line: Arizona by 3 ½.
All-time series: Purdue leads 2-0.
Last meeting: Purdue 31, Arizona 24 (2005).
ARIZONA
Coach: Rich Rodriguez (6th season, 43-34; overall 16th season, 118-82).
All-time postseason: 9-10-1.
Last postseason appearance: Beat New Mexico 45-37 in 2015 New Mexico Bowl.
Draft spotlight: SS Dane Cruikshank. A move to Arizona’s “Spur” safety improved Cruikshank’s draft stock after struggling at CB throughout his junior year. Cruikshank tallied 67 tackles as a senior, with 3 INTs, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble.
Other Wildcats to watch: RB Nick Wilson, G Jacob Alsadek, DE DeAndre Miller.
Wildcat Tracks: Arizona won five of its final eight games behind QB Khalil Tate, who’s the first Wildcat with three 200-yard rushing games in a season. He owns four TD runs of at least 70 yards. … The Wildcats led the Pac-12 in scoring, rushing, total offense and fewest sacks allowed. … LBs Colin Schooler and Tony Fields and DE Kylan Wilborn were named Freshman All-America by various outlets.
PURDUE
Coach: Jeff Brohm (1st season, 6-6; overall 4th season, 36-16).
All-time postseason: 9-8.
Last postseason appearance: Lost to Oklahoma State 58-14 in 2012 Heart of Dallas Bowl.
Draft spotlight: LB Ja’Whuan Bentley. One of the more unique linebackers in this class, as there may not be a bigger one out there who plays between the tackles. Bentley is a four-year starter who has had to deal with multiple lower body injuries, but has been very productive when healthy. Read full report here.
Other Boilermakers to watch: WR Anthony Mahoungou, DT Gelen Robinson.
Boilermaker Bits: Purdue’s six wins are its highest total since the 2012 season. From 2013-16, the Boilermakers won just nine games. … Brohm went with a two-QB rotation for most of the season, with David Blough throwing for 1,103 yards and Elijah Sindelar racking up 1,703. … Purdue’s defense has given up just 19.3 points per game.
* underclass draft prospect