Every Friday, AnnArbor.com sportswriters Dave Birkett and Mike Rothstein preview Michigan's upcoming football game. This week, they split on what they think will happen as the Wolverines take on Purdue.

Michigan's Darryl Stonum and Purdue's Dwight McLean battle for a pass that Stonum ends up catching for a touchdown during last year's game in West Lafayette, Ind.

Alan Warren | The Ann Arbor News

Dave Birkett: Let's get this out of the way first, Mike: That was one ugly performance Michigan put on against Illinois. To collapse like they did in the second half, against the worst team in the Big Ten, is inexcusable and makes me seriously question what this team is made of. There were coaching mistakes, turnovers, and the defense continues to regress. We'll see if Michigan can salvage its season this week. A mediocre Purdue team comes to town for what's basically a must-win game. Wisconsin and Ohio State are up next, but if the Wolverines don't beat Purdue I have a hard time seeing them make a bowl game this year.

Mike Rothstein: I agree this is a must-win game for Michigan. What concerns me the most has nothing to do with individual players but game situations. In September, Michigan showed an uncanny ability to respond to adversity. In October, if a team landed a punch against the Wolverines, they fall down like Glass Joe. So my biggest concern with the Wolverines is if Purdue gets the ball and marches right down and scores. A 10-0 deficit early could seem insurmountable to a team that has fallen apart at the first signs of struggle.

DB: Glass Joe, Soda Popinski, Bald Bull. I used to dominate at Mike Tyson's Punch-Out, kinda like Michigan used to dominate the Big Ten. Enough about the past. Michigan's present state of mind is fragile, you're right. And I can see things falling apart quick in a flurry of turnovers. But this isn't Appalachian State coming into the Big House, it's Purdue. The Boilermakers lead the Big Ten in turnovers, haven't won at Michigan Stadium in 43 years and, games against Ohio State and Oregon aside, are pretty downright mediocre themselves.

MR: Yeah, yeah, using the code doesn't count, dude. And ouch on Appalachian State, man. That's just wrong. But just because Purdue hasn't won in Ann Arbor in 43 years doesn't mean it can't happen. Remember, Illinois beat Michigan in back-to-back years for the first time since the 1950s last week. So much will depend on which Purdue shows up. Will it be the one that beat Ohio State, almost beat Oregon and almost beat Notre Dame? Or the guys who lost to Chandler Harnish and Northern Illinois? Michigan has struggled in the Big Ten, and hasn't beaten a Division I-A opponent convincingly since Eastern Michigan. And Team English is still winless. So until Michigan shows me something I find it hard to believe in them.

DB: I think I know where you're going. Me, on the other hand, I'm going to show a little faith in Rich Rodriguez, Brandon Graham and the rest. Brandon Minor is supposedly feeling as good as he has in recent weeks, and he's a different sort of back, both in pass protection and the run game. Joey Elliott could be in for a big day like most quarterbacks against Michigan's secondary, but Graham's got enough big plays in him - always does - to make a difference. Call it Michigan 28, Purdue 21, and punch the Wolverines' ticket to the Insight Bowl.

MR: Oh, you love your Insight Bowl, don't you. Mill Ave. in Tempe on New Year's is a fun place. That said ... still don't see it happening. Tate Forcier isn't going to be healthy the rest of the year. Brandon Minor, while Rodriguez says he's healthy, hasn't been for much of the year. Turnovers are still a major issue. The offensive line, since David Molk's injury, has really struggled. Then there's the defense, which has Brandon Graham and little else. Heck, the starting middle linebacker is a walk-on. This is going to be a close game between two very, very average football teams. While I wouldn't be surprised if Michigan won, I'm going with the Boilermakers on this one, 28-24.