Oklahoma State football: Getting to know Purdue, the Cowboys' Heart of Dallas Bowl opponent

Who's the anchor of this Boilermaker defense? Is it lineman Kawann Short, a first-team All-Big Ten selection? What makes him such a force?

“Short is the anchor. He worked hard the last two offseasons to get himself in the best shape possible. He usually takes on double teams, but has quick feet and is able to move past offensive lineman. That comes from playing basketball, where he was standout in high school. Keep an eye on Josh Johnson, who is a physical cornerback.” 

Purdue has opened as a significant underdog against the Cowboys. At first glance, where could the Boilermakers potentially exploit OSU? Is there an X Factor player to watch?

“Based on the numbers, Purdue should have success through the air. The Boilermakers use a lot of screens and short passes to utilize their speed. Purdue doesn't feature a big downfield passing attack. A strong running game would help its chances. One player to watch is Akeem Hunt. He has five touchdowns of 50 yards or more, including 100-yard kickoff return.”