The football season begins in earnest for the Gophers.

The start of the Big Ten season means that Minnesota is done playing patsies. His Gophers will get tested right off the bat by hosting Purdue.

The Gophers will try to get the best of Purdue with their powerful offense, which is averaging 553.3 yards per game -- which ranks second in the Big Ten. Minnesota is led by RB Laurence Maroney who leads the Big Ten with 481 rushing yards. He is averaging a robust 7.2 yards per carry and is a Heisman Trophy contender.

But Maroney is not the only contributor to the Minnesota offense. QB Bryan Cupito is much more comfortable behind center this year and has thrown for 624 yards and five TDs. His 155.4 passer rating ranks fourth in the Big Ten.

Logan Payne and Jared Ellerson have been the most productive receivers so far this season, but Ernie Wheelwright is probably the best wideout on the team. If Mason can get all three receivers going against Purdue's defense, the Gophers may be able to hang in there for 60 minutes and find a way to pull off a satisfying win in their conference opener.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Laurence Maroney is a great all-around runner who can explode to the outside and also get the job done between the tackles. He will be challenged by a Purdue run defense that is allowing just 16 yards per game. QB Bryan Cupito is not a high percentage passer, but he does go downfield and is a big-play producer. The Gophers lead the Big Ten with an average of 47.3 points per game.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: The defense has not gotten a significant test against Tulsa, Colorado State or Florida Atlantic. While the Gophers have allowed just 13.7 ppg and 95.3 rushing yards per game, the defense will be tested by Purdue QB Brandon Kirsch and RB Jerod Void.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Everything goes up a notch, and you have to play at your absolute peak. There's no such thing as taking a play off or getting a bad block because if those things happen, you're going to have some serious consequences because you're going up against the best opponents." -- Center Greg Eslinger on preparing for Big Ten play.

THIS WEEK'S GAME: vs. Purdue, Sept. 24 -- The Gophers face a major test against a team that has won seven straight games against them. Minnesota has not beaten the Boilermakers since the 1995 season. Glen Mason knows his team has a very solid running game with Laurence Maroney and an improving passing game, but the key will be limiting mistakes and preventing big plays by Purdue.

PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Bryan Cupito -- He averaged 23 yards per completion in the 46-7 win over Florida Atlantic and had long TD passes to Laurence Maroney and Jared Ellerson. Cupito will try to loosen the Purdue secondary by hitting a couple of deep passes early.

RB Laurence Maroney -- He has run for 481 yards and the Gophers have the No. 1 rushing team in the nation. Purdue is giving up just 16 rushing yards per game -- the best in the nation.

SS Brandon Owens -- He has registered 19 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in the first three games. He will need to make a few punishing hits on Purdue RB Jerod Void in order to slow down the Boilermaker ground game.

LB Kyle McKenzie -- He is probably the fastest of the Gopher linebackers and can chase down plays from behind. McKenzie has 10 tackles through the first three games.

ROSTER REPORT: Fullback Justin Valentine (undisclosed), offensive lineman Joe Ainslie (hand), defensive lineman Mark Losli (back) and linebacker John Shevlin (knee) are probable against Purdue.