Purdue vs. Western Michigan: 8 Reasons Broncos Win Little Caesars Pizza Bowl

Big Ten vs. MAC.  The Purdue Boilermakers face off against the Western Michigan Broncos on Dec. 27 at Ford Field in Detroit at 4:30 p.m. 

Purdue is a three-point favorite according to the Vegas bettors. What the bettors don't know is that Western Michigan, though being in the MAC, has the playmaking ability of the Big Ten.

Without further ado, here is why this Big Ten vs. MAC showdown will bring Western Michigan their first-ever bowl victory... 

Western Michigan QB Alex Carder has quietly become one of the nation's top passers in 2011.  Carder has racked up 3,434 yards and 28 touchdowns this season leading the Broncos to a 7-5 record. 

Against the Big Ten, Carder has been surprisingly good against some of the nation's more tougher defenses.  Against Michigan, Carder went 22-of-31 and 183 yards against a much-improved Wolverine defense.  Against Illinois, Carder went 30-of-48 for 306 yards and two touchdowns. 

Carder is very accurate completing 67.2 percent of his passes this season.  With a Purdue defense giving up 264 passing yards per game, look for Alex Carder to lead the Broncos to their first bowl win in school history. 

For the second year in a row, wide receiver Jordan White led the nation with 127 receptions, along with 1,646 yards and 16 touchdowns.  The third-team All-American has found a way to get open in practically every game.  In his senior season he set the record for most touchdowns in a career by a receiver at Western Michigan.

The two games against the Big Ten (Michigan and Illinois) White racked up 28 receptions for 251 yards and one touchdown.  White averaged 13 yards per catch during the season.

With Purdue having the 65th overall passing defense, giving up 264 yards per game.  Jordan White should be able to get open for big plays against the Purdue secondary.

Though both Purdue and Western Michigan have dismal road records this season, Purdue being 1-4 and WMU 2-5, Western Michigan will hopefully have the edge in crowd attendance.  The WMU campus is only two hours away from Ford Field, while Purdue's campus is five hours away.

The distance that both teams have to travel is not very far, and it's seemingly looking like both teams will have a decent number of fans there.  The notion is hopefully WMU fans will take the two-hour drive down to cheer on the Broncos.

Though WMU is 0-2 against the Big Ten this season, the Broncos have had success throwing and running the ball against Big Ten defenses. 

Against Michigan, WMU had 279 total yards, which was nine fewer than the 11th-ranked Michigan Wolverines.  The Bronco defense also kept Denard Robinson in check, as he did not throw for more than 100 yards and had no passing touchdowns. 

Against Illinios, WMU had 306 passing yards in a close three-point loss to then-unbeaten Illinois.  The game came down to the final drive for WMU.  WMU stopped yet another good quarterback in Nathan Sheelhause, not alowing him to have more than 100 passing yards and no passing touchdowns as well.

Purdue QB Caleb TerBush is not having great success on the field, throwing 12 touchdowns to 10 interceptions.  The Broncos have to like their chances of stopping the passing game of Purdue and coming away with a bowl victory. 

The defense for the WMU Broncos was ranked 82nd overall in total defense, giving up 196.8 yards per game.  The defense is spearheaded by defensive lineman and 2011 MAC defensive player of the year Drew Novak.

The defense has had their ups and downs this year, giving up more than 500-plus yards against Toledo and Northern Illinois.

Purdue's offense seems to have little firepower and that should mean the defensive line made up of Drew Novak and Paul Hazel should have a big day getting after the quarterback.

Look for the defense to step up against a Big Ten opponent and give WMU the win.

Purdue's defense has had their ups and downs this season as well.  Purdue ranks 65th overall defensively and gives up on average about 264 passing yards per game.

That is sweet music to a Bronco offense that is ranked 18th in the nation, gaining an average of 349 passing yards per game.

Though a Big Ten defense may be faster and have more skilled players, the WMU offense can light up the scoreboard, and look for them to do so as well. 

Momentum is huge in college football.  And for the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl, it looks like two teams heading in different directions in regards to momentum. 

Purdue is heading into the bowl game having won their last game narrowly against the 1-11 Indiana Hoosiers, 33-25.  The quarterback play has been inconsistent all year and many experts wonder if Purdue is taking Western Michigan seriously.

Western Michigan is riding a two-game winning streak, and coming off a beatdown of Akron in which seven touchdowns were thrown by the backup QB.  This is the first time Western Michigan will be in a bowl game in their home state and third bowl in the last five years.

Look for Western Michigan to ride this momentum all the way to becoming the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl champion.

Western Michigan football has never won a bowl game.  In '08 the Broncos made it to the Texas Bowl in which they got blown out.  In '07 the Broncos went to the International Bowl and lost by a touchdown to Cincinnati.

This is WMU's third bowl in the past five seasons and first under head coach Bill Cubit.  You got to believe the team and campus are starving for a bowl win.

Western Michigan has been one of the most fun offenses to watch in the MAC this year.  Hopefully they will be able to put that offensive firepower on display and show the Boilermakers the door as they win the first bowl game in school history.

Fight Broncos fight!