Big Ten 2010 // Purdue Spring Field Guide
by Jonathan Franz on Apr 11, 2010 11:31 PM CDT
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PrintWest Lafayette is the next stop on our regional tour.
FIFTH IN A SERIES: THE PURDUE SPRING FIELD GUIDE
Purdue at a glance...
First Season: 1887
Head Coach: Danny Hope (2nd Year, 5-7, .417 winning percentage)
All-Time Record: 571-487-48 (.538)
2009 Record: 5-7 (4-4 Conference)
Offseason Cliff Notes...
Usually when things end in November, it's a sign of a season to forget. But Purdue's 5-7 record (4-4 in conference) in 2009 is misleading. On one hand the Boilermakers were every bit the model of a team in transition. Poor special teams, and a record setting number of turnovers handcuffed the team in losses to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame, and Wisconsin. On the other hand, the Boilers showed flashes of brilliance. After taking eventual Pac 10 Champion Oregon to its limit in a 36-38 loss at Autzen, Purdue upset the eventual Big Ten Champion Ohio State Buckeyes 26-18. Despite winning four of their last six games, the Boilermakers couldn't overcome a 1-5 start, and Purdue stayed home for the holidays.
Still, we couldn't help but call the squad's effort a "pleasant surprise." In our opening Big Ten bowl predictions for the 2010 season, we put a 7-5 Purdue team in the Texas Bowl opposite Baylor. In early February, we said the Boilermakers would open 2010 with a win in South Bend. As for the man behind the mustache, our writers were impressed with the wrinkles Danny Hope installed into Joe Tiller's offense, and gave him a B+ grade overall. Forever nostalgic, we also retraced the Purdue program through the Aughts.
Ralph Bolden's injury is a major obstacle for Purdue's rushing attack.
In February, Purdue signed a 24 player class that was ranked 7th in the Big Ten. Although the coaching staff placed special emphasis on the defensive side of the ball, they did net several solid offensive prospects, including Florida four-star wideout O.J. Ross.
Last week, Ralph Bolden suffered a serious knee injury that will sideline the All-Big Ten running back for at least the rest of the spring and possibly the fall.
In the cupboard...
Total Returning Starters: 12 (6 Offense, 5 Defense, 1 Special Teams)
USA Today cleanly summarizes the Boiler's prospects:
Purdue could surprise some teams, provided it patches up a shredded secondary and finds an adequate replacement up the middle of the defense for Mike Neal. The Boilers will again be explosive on offense with All-Big Ten selection Keith Smith (WR)
and Ralph Bolden (RB)returning at the skill positions. QB Robert Marve should step in nicely for QB Joey Elliott, leaving Purdue's primary concerns across the defense. If nothing else, the Boilers should continue to score a lot of points. But teams don't typically win in the Big Ten without playing a little defense.
Although it's never easy to replace a veteran quarterback, Purdue fans have been waiting for a year to get a look at former Miami Transfer Robert Marve, whose journey to West Lafayette has been a strange and largely-forgettable one. After being crowned Florida's Mr. Football in 2006, Marve was involved in a car accident that forced him to sit out the 2007 season in Coral Gables. He returned in 2008, only to lose his starting job, and find trouble with the law. He eventually decided to transfer to Purdue (Randy Shannon conditioned his release on his not going to certain ACC and SEC schools), and promptly tore his ACL. There's no question that Marve has used his time on the sidelines to sharpen his football IQ, but it remains to be seen what effect the down time will have on his mechanics, and feel for the game.
Is this the next Drew Brees?
Marve will have a more than capable target in Keith Smith, who led the Boilermakers with 1,100 yards on 91 receptions in 2009. Things also appeared to be solid at the running back position, until Ralph Bolden went down with a non contact injury last week in practice. Bolden averaged 77.9 yards per game rushing in 2009. If he can't play, Sophomore Al-Terek McBurse will have to step into a feature role.
The Boilermakers also have to replace three guys up front -- with Sophomores Rick Schmeig and Andrew Brewer leading the pack. Overall, expect Purdue's offense to continue its positive production under Hope's watch.
Not surprisingly, the real issues for Purdue are on the other side of the ball, where a ghost town for a secondary could keep the defense vulnerable to the pass. Look for some combination of Gavin Roberts, Josh Johnson, Charlton Williams, Chris Quinn, Ishmael Aristide and junior college transfer Michael Eargle to fill the void.
$60,000 Questions
1. Is Robert Marve ready to become Purdue's next big name quarterback, or have off field struggles, transfers, and injuries taken their toll?
2. Can the Boilers find four competent defensive backs?
3. What will an offensive line that has to replace three starters look like?
The Road Ahead...
2010 Schedule
| Date | Opponent |
| 9/04/2010 | @ Notre Dame |
| 9/11/2010 | vs. Western Illinois |
| 9/18/2010 | vs. Ball State |
| 9/25/2010 | vs. Toledo |
| 10/09/2010 | @ Northwestern |
| 10/16/2010 | vs. Minnesota |
| 10/23/2010 | @ Ohio State |
| 10/30/2010 | @ Illinois |
| 11/06/2010 | vs. Wisconsin |
| 11/13/2010 | vs. Michigan |
| 11/20/2010 | @ Michigan State |
| 11/27/2010 | vs. Indiana |
Purdue has a legitimate opportunity to start the season 4-0, which would go a long way towards helping the Boilers reach their first bowl game since 2007.
This week...
MONDAY: Spring Field Guide
TUESDAY: Purdue's Greatest Strength
WEDNESDAY: Purdue's Greatest Weakness
THURSDAY: MVP Profile
FRIDAY: Keeping the Enemy Close - Rival Blogger Interview
***
More Big Ten 2010...
Indiana | Michigan | Illinois | Minnesota
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Comments
Well I knew it had to come at some point..
So……since I can’t talk smack about these guys without hurting myself…um..good writeup I guess. Dagummit, why’d we have to go and do Purdue Harbour.
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by Ian_InsideTheShoe on Apr 12, 2010 6:55 AM CDT reply actions
To be fair
Even I didn’t see that game coming at all. I am generally pretty optimistic about Purdue football. I have to be. I was regretting the drive up to West Lafayette that morning because I knew we were going to get killed.
AS for the secondary, we do have come promising freshmen coming int he fall that will also compete to start. Ricardo Allen was a high school teammate of O.J. Ross and could start immediately. E.J. Johnson was the starting safety on a two-time state champion in Florida at Cocoa High and he is an absolute ball hawk. Albert Evans was our nickel back last season and he will be back as a likely starter at safety this fall. I think he is out this spring with an injury, but he and Charlton Williams have the most experience by far. I expect Williams and Eargle to be the corners (Eargle was a JuCo recruited to play immediately), Evans to be one of the safeties, with the other spot up for grabs between Josh Johnson and E.J. Johnson.
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
Purdue Harbour? Really?
OSU managed to win the league and the Rose Bowl, so it was hardly that disastrous. Any national title dreams were pretty much dashed by the USC loss in September.
I shudder to think of what sort of loss would bring out a 9/11 comparison.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
It's just a nickname for the game.
IF we would have played like that all year, well, god knows what our record would be.
Visit Inside The Shoe
The Buckeye blog for every fan!
by Ian_InsideTheShoe on Apr 13, 2010 6:57 AM CDT up reply actions
I have a theory
My theory says that if the Big Ten had awards for “Most Popular” and such, Purdue would win “Most Likable”…I think I’m right for a couple reasons. 1) They have no hated rival in the Big Ten. Indiana vaguely dislikes Purdue, but only for regional location reasons, not true irrational reasons. 2) They churn out good quarterbacks and hard working wide receivers who everyone loves (Vinny Sutherland, John Standeford). 3) Drew Brees…who doesn’t like Drew Brees? 4) They forced spread passing on the Big Ten, a sexy offense that again, most people enjoy watching.
I'll agree with that.
Just please banish any mention of “Purdon’t” ever again. that annoys the crap out of us.
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
by BoilerTMill on Apr 12, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
I think Purdue might have the pieces in place to make a trip to the postseason.
But we’ll see how everything plays out; Marve could just rip the guts out of the Boilermaker faithful time and again…
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 12, 2010 11:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Judging from the glares I got the last time I was in W. Lafayette
it would be better than me yelling “Boiler Up Yours!” again.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 12, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
As you mentioned, main rivals aren't huge football teams.
Indiana and Northwestern on the play-each-year list. Not huge fanbases to go against. Illinois plays us for the Cannon, but talking with their fans I was surprised how little they cared about us!
I also think that Purdue’s tendency to beat bad teams (often running up comical scores in the process) and lose to good teams helps the perception. Bad teams figure they weren’t making a bowl anyway, good teams like the vaguely good seeming win. So we get the arent-hurting-anyone tag. Especially since many of our losses came when we folded in the 4th quarter, so opposing fans do like that.
As for Vinny Sutherland being hard working—I’d say a Keith Smith or a Chris Daniels (Sutherland’s understudy) or Taylor Stubblefield would be more like it. Not that Sutherland was lazy. He was fast if a bit undisciplined.
Also, Purdue vs IU is much worse in basketball. I think we all save our energy for that.
by Beavis Beefcake on Apr 12, 2010 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions
To further this point
their fans are really, really nice (and I’m not sure if this is a good thing). My sister is just finishing her senior year there and I traveled there as part of the Hawkeye Marching Band back in the 90’s. Needles to say I’ve been to Ross-Ade a number of times. The tailgaters are warm and welcoming, the crowd is polite and there is an over-the-top “Mom and Apple Pie” vibe about the whole experience (the “I Am An American” speech and plus-sized girls in red, white and blue sequined leotards may have something to do with that). It’s hard to dislike Purdue.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 12, 2010 12:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Somehow I never pictured you as a band geek.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Depends on your definition.
If by “band geek” you mean socially awkward kid who think figuring out different themes from “Star Wars” on his clarinet is fun, then no, I wasn’t. But I did love the HMB (despite horrible leadership) and there’s nothing like being on the field with 70K+ screaming fans…even if it has nothing to do with you. Oh, and the free Bowl Trips are nice (provided you were at Iowa at a time other than the Hayden Fry Death Rattle that I endured).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 16, 2010 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Purdue? Is this the new Big Ten expansion team?
Are they one of those big schools in Texas? Are they the one with the huge flatscreen in their stadium, the one where military guys kiss women in the middle of the games, or the one with the improper-looking bell ringing?
Drew Brees, Mike Alstott, Rod Woodson and Bob Griese would all like a word with you.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 12, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Wooosh?
"can your nerd powers explain what this dude is doing in the thread above? I think we’re already defeated"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions
He's gone underground
for fear that Ed Podolak will make him go out drinking if he surfaces.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 12, 2010 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions
The bell ringing was Texas Tech.
Or Illinois, in our world.
"can your nerd powers explain what this dude is doing in the thread above? I think we’re already defeated"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions
They also have the sixth best fight song in the Big Ten.
Behind Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, and Wisconsin.
"can your nerd powers explain what this dude is doing in the thread above? I think we’re already defeated"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2010 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm an Iowan and former band geek at that
and I would take “Hail Purdue” over everything but “The Victors” and MSU’s “Falcone Fight”(but only because it’s a really good tune; the lyrics are colossally stupid).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 12, 2010 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Are you kidding?
I would argue that “Falcone Fight” is the best tune in the conference, which says a lot considering the Big Ten has the best collection of fight songs in college sports (All of them are original and memorable with the exception of Northwestern and Indiana, and “Indiana Fight” is ok). And the lyrics are great too:
Fight! Fight! Rah! Team fight! Victory for MSU!
What’s not to love?
"can your nerd powers explain what this dude is doing in the thread above? I think we’re already defeated"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2010 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions
And I hate "The Victors" with all of my heart.
I actually like Ohio State’s song, but the only good thing about “The Victors” is that you can change the lyrics to “Hail! To Ed Martin’s wallet!” and so on.
"can your nerd powers explain what this dude is doing in the thread above? I think we’re already defeated"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2010 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry but I wholly disagree:
Notre Dame and Michigan are not only hated for being smug, self-righteous, entitled bastards but for being all of those things and still being blessed with the two greatest fight songs anywhere.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 12, 2010 2:52 PM CDT up reply actions
I think the USC routine is superior to Michigan. ND and USC are top two IMO
Big Ten I’d say:
1. Michigan
2. Purdue
3. Minnesota
4. MSU
5. Wisconsin
6. Ohio State
7. Penn State
8. Iowa
9. Ilinois
10. Northwestern
11. IU
USC is vastly overrated in that they employ the Boomer Sooner technique
i.e. ad nausea repetition of a not-all-that-inventive tune.
The Big Ten is blessed with a number of really fine fight songs, and some (OSU, Iowa, Illinois) have multiple “official” fight songs (Illinois actually has like 6). I don’t think there’s a bad one in the bunch. My favorite non-Big Ten tunes are Clemson, Tennessee’s “Rocky Top” (not official, but, c’mon) and Texas.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 12, 2010 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions
You won't like Rocky Top if Iowa ever plays Tennessee in a bowl game.
STOP PLAYING THAT STUPID SONG.
"can your nerd powers explain what this dude is doing in the thread above? I think we’re already defeated"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2010 7:46 PM CDT up reply actions
+100
That song haunts my dreams for weeks after watching a Tennessee game.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
Worst. Fight Song. Ever.
LSU Marching Band. 2007 game was crappy, and that’s alllll i heard.
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by Ian_InsideTheShoe on Apr 13, 2010 7:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I LOVE it
and make no apologies for it. At least you can sing along to it. Tell me, Ross, what are the words to “On, Iowa!” I’m waiting…
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Hold on, let me do a little google search...
(Yes, point proven. But “On, Iowa!” is not as obnoxious!)
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
No, "On, Iowa" is a great tune
and far peppier than the show-tune-quality “Iowa Fight Song” (it should be noted that The Music Man is a favorite of mine). But there is a very good reason no one bothers to learn the lyrics. W.H. Auden poems are catchier.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 14, 2010 12:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Notre Dame has the best fight song in college football.
There’s a reason nearly every Catholic prep school uses it. It’s good enough that I can almost, almost that it’s Notre Dame’s fight song. I just can’t do the same with Michigan.
"can your nerd powers explain what this dude is doing in the thread above? I think we’re already defeated"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2010 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions
almost forget
"can your nerd powers explain what this dude is doing in the thread above? I think we’re already defeated"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2010 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Their fight songs are good, but are painful to listen to because of smugness, self-righteousness, and entitlement.
It’s like watching Michael Jordan playing for Duke.
"can your nerd powers explain what this dude is doing in the thread above? I think we’re already defeated"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2010 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions
(sigh)
“On, Wisconsin” is really good.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 12, 2010 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions
yeah
it was my high school fight song
See Ball, Get Ball. Quarterback Has Ball, Sack Him.
I'll either be a Dead Body or a Winner at the end of the day.
by 7_Painter's_First_Fan on Apr 13, 2010 1:02 AM CDT up reply actions
Mine too
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
by BoilerTMill on Apr 13, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
It was my mother's high school fight song.
Mine, strangely enough, was the Iowa Fight Song and I’m from Illinois.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2010 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Keith Smith may be the biggest help Marve gets.
Possession receivers inspire a LOT of confidence from the QB. How many times would MSU QBs trust Burress or Rogers to go after the football? All the time. How many times would Navarre/Henne/Henson/Brady trust their receiving corp. to get the ball when they’d heave it up? All the time. Sometimes they’d test riple coverage, but NOBODY COULD COVER BRAYLON EDWARDS.
Keith Smith will be the reliable target Purdue needs to get the passing game off to a good start, game after game.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 12, 2010 12:02 PM CDT reply actions
The passing game should be lights out...
Not only does Purdue have Marve, but we have talented and capable back-ups behind him. At receiver, we will have more talent and depth then we’ve had in the last 20 years. Beyond Smith Purdue has a stable of athletic and talented young Florida guys who be a threat to score every time they touch the ball. This could be a year when we throw the ball 40-60 times a game.
Just like the heart of the Brees era @ Purdue?
There was one particularly glorious season where Purdue defeated Michigan and Ohio State…and lost to Wisconsin. Oh wait, that was last year. Maybe I’m thinking a powerful Purdue team that watched Matt Light and Drew Brees get drafted the next season… And that team WAS powerful. Tressel bringing Ohio State out of the dark ages setting up a streak of unforeseeable conference dominance, Michigan on the doorstep of the Big Ten crown year after year, Wisconsin winning a Rose Bowl… And Purdue managing to come away with the Big Ten…
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 12, 2010 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions
we beat Wisconsin during the Brees Rose Bowl year
We lost to Penn State and Michigan state
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
I still don't know how we won in 2000.
Worst Paterno team ever.
"can your nerd powers explain what this dude is doing in the thread above? I think we’re already defeated"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2010 7:49 PM CDT up reply actions
I honestly thought that honor went to 2004.
But that defense was amazing. The offense was bad horrible horrendous horrid abysmal atrocious God-awful worse than God-awful amongst the worst offenses Penn State has ever had…
Mind you, that year somehow lead to Derrick Williams and the rest of a murderous Penn State receiving corp dominating the Big Ten. You take the good with the bad.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 12, 2010 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry. It's 2004.
2000 we had a couple of exciting wins and ended the season 4-3. They may have been the worst September team in PSU history.
The ’03 team was bad (nine losses were the most ever for a Penn State team) but at least it had a very tough schedule, a lot of new players, and a couple of close games. 2004 had a much easier schedule, returning players (aside from the Humphrey expulsion) and a great defense. Still, it never capitalized. A below average offense could have managed a 6-5 record.
Back in the Saban era at MSU?
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 12, 2010 8:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually, Notre Dame got its comeuppance (many times over) for that win over Purdue in 2000.
Hint: That year’s Fiesta Bowl game was one of the greatest thrashings they’ve ever gotten. Courtesy of Oregon State.
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 12, 2010 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I know
I remember watching that Oregon State-Notre Dame Fiesta Bowl at the hotel after we lost the Rose Bowl. It was epic and I loved every second of it.
A futile crusade to prevent mass ignorance
HammerAndRails, SBNation's Boilermaker Blog
I think this year will be good as long as Purdue keeps the Cannon.
Losing to Illinois (especially now) is NOT how you build momentum…
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Apr 14, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I got 8-4 or 9-3
@ Notre Dame W
vs. Western Illinois W
vs. Ball State W
vs. Toledo W
@ Northwestern W
vs. Minnesota L(I just feel it)
@ Ohio State L
@ Illinois W
vs. Wisconsin L
vs. Michigan W
@ Michigan State 50/50
vs. Indiana W
See Ball, Get Ball. Quarterback Has Ball, Sack Him.
I'll either be a Dead Body or a Winner at the end of the day.
by 7_Painter's_First_Fan on Apr 13, 2010 1:10 AM CDT up reply actions
General Sherman's Purdue Protest Quotation...
“Every attempt to make war easy and safe will result in humiliation and disaster.”
Translation: I’d have more Hope for a Perdue chicken than I do for these turkeys this year.
Courting mediocrity since 1964.
by lakeeriemonstar on Apr 12, 2010 8:25 PM CDT reply actions
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