SEASON BREAKDOWN & PREDICTION:
In a nutshell: Consider the Big Ten displayed on a spectrum, with Purdue on one end and Ohio State – or Michigan State, depending on how you view the preseason race – on the other. On this spectrum, Purdue is a first down away from Rutgers, a long pass from Indiana, a football field from Wisconsin or Nebraska and a few miles from the Buckeyes or Spartans. It's funny only in Bloomington: Purdue has completely disappeared from the conference map like Houdini, falling faster than an anvil, and is so flimsy when compared to its peers it's impossible to view the Boilermakers as anything but an easy mark for the rest of the Big Ten – and say what you will about Purdue, but this program has never, ever been an easy mark. These are unhappy times.
I don't see how either side of the ball matches up. The offense wants to run some Frankenstein-like amalgam of the spread and a power rushing attack; needless to say, it's not working. Etling is promising, but asking this sophomore to carry the attack is – at this point, at least – a bad idea. The offensive line is a weak link and the backfield currently devoid of an answer. On defense, the Boilermakers must land all-conference seasons from Russell and Williams to survive. Possible? Yeah, but not likely. All the impressive talent I see on this roster comes in underclassmen, which might be a good sign for tomorrow but is a negative for today.
It's going to be an ugly year. The one positive is this schedule; Purdue will benefit from the new divisional split, as will the rest of the West, and has the luxury of a smooth out-of-conference docket, outside of Notre Dame. Given this slate, I don't see why Purdue can't add another win or two to last year's total, with most coming in September. And what about league play? Iowa, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin are simply too physical. Indiana and Illinois come on the road. Northwestern? Forget wins and losses, if you can: Purdue and Hazell just need to make sure the hole doesn't get deeper. Purdue's up to its waist in messiness but can dig its way out with some hard work. If the Boilermakers get neck deep, however, you're looking at real trouble. And you thought Purdue wasn't in trouble already.
Dream season: Purdue goes 3-1 in non-conference play and knocks off Iowa, Illinois and Indiana to reach the postseason.
Nightmare season: No wins.
