I posted this reply on Page 3. This will give you the low-down on the game.
I'm a student here at Purdue, and have been following the Boilers all season long. The Oregon game killed not only our season, but possibly the next few years of our program. Although most of you have seen my
OSU videos on my YouTube page (kitchel22130) and my allegiance will never waver towards the Buckeyes.
Here's a break down of the Boilers for all you Buckeye fans (and trust me, no one knows the Boilers as much as me right now, I've seen every poor performance they've had at Ross-Ade this year).
1. Curtis Painter will start against the Bucks. Back-up QB Joey Elliott came in on the final Purdue drive against #6 Penn State and led a 75 yard TD drive. For some reason, Tiller still wants to stick with Curtis. I don't know if its because Painter has his own website to promote his Heisman Trophy campaign (which never even had a chance, by the way, its curtispainter12.com), but Joe never seems to want to make a change. Painter will once again lose it to the pressure from the Buckeye D and will have a horrible game more than likely. Also for those who love watching quarterbacks who stare at one receiver the entire play, Painter is a great example of what happens when a QB has tunnel vision.
2. The Boilers O-Line has been ridiculously hampered with injuries all season long. They've been moving around players all season long and can't seem to get things figured out. Penn State got a lot of pressure on Painter, and there's no reason why the Bucks can't do the same.
3. Kory Sheets is a very underrated back, but is only successful if his O-Line can make holes up the middle on the lead draw plays from shotgun. Refer to point #2 on that case.
4. Greg Orton is a big play receiver for the Boilers, but Painter tends to never look his way...EVER.
Offensive Recap - The Boilers have some talent and some big play players, but Painter always brings down the offense because of his poor field awareness and his terrible pocket presence and mobility. All the Bucks have to do is send James or Freeman on blitzes and Painter will have a rough game. Key in on the pass, because the O-Line won't be able to make any holes for Sheets against the Buckeye front 4.
1. Here's an appropriate analogy. Purdue Defense : Swiss Cheese. If you didn't see it, Evan Royster ran all over the Boilers last week and even back up back Stephon Green was able to make some big runs. The front 4 is talented and DE #94 Ryan Kerrigan & DT #90 Ryan Baker are the best up front. They are very inconsistent, and usually don't play well unless the crowd is behind them, so not too much to worry when they travel to the Shoe.
2. The linebackers can also be compared to the Boilers O-Line, as Purdue's linebacking core has rotated linebackers all season long. Since they've had so many injuries, Purdue has been forced to play a TON of nickel, which gives teams easy opportunities to run right up the gut. Freshman Joe Holland is a plesant surprise and continues to improve, and Senior Anthony Heygood is the best player on the Boilers defense. Basically, you could say the front 7 for Purdue is very inexperienced and inconsistent.
3. The secondary is quite possibly one of the worst in the country. Purdue's so-called 'shut down' corner David Pender (#9) was toasted against Notre Dame and Penn State with out routes, fly routes, and any other route you can think of. You will notice immediately that the Boiler corners can't keep up at all with speed receivers because they give every team they play a 7 yard cushion to the receivers. Safeties McLean (22) and Duong (3) are improving, but extremely inexperienced. Don't be too surprised if Robo and Hartline have big games.
Defensive Recap - Pryor and Beanie are going to be a 2-man wrecking crew and could both have over 100 yards rushing. I wouldn't be too surprised if Beanie goes over 200 in this one. Tressel could basically have this offense score at will in this one.
Special Teams
- Boilers are strong in the return game, with Desmond Tardy (6) but Penn State completely took that aspect of the game away by punting and kicking away from him.
OSU will probably do the same.
- Kicker Chris Summers (13) has gone 1-4 in his last 3 games kicking and even shanked an extra point against the Nittany Lions. He has been replaced by freshman Carson Wiggs (37) as the Boilers place kicker. Summers will take over the punting duties.
Basically, the my Buckeyes shouldn't have any problems with my Boilermakers. Although historically, Ohio State has had a tough time playing against Purdue at home, but this isn't Drew Brees or Kyle Orton playing on offense. And no, Niko Koutivides will not be playing, which means Purdue won't be able to block any kicks in this matchup.
I will be at the game with my Purdue jersey and my Buckeye necklace. I will be rooting on the Buckeyes, since they have more to play for, and I don't expect the Boilers to even have a chance. This will be Joe Tiller's last game in the Horseshoe, and Buckeye fans should give him some respect because he completely changed the Big Ten from the smash-mouth, run up the middle game to the spread em out, basketball on grass philosophy.
GO BUCKS AND BOILER UP.
10-07-2008, 10:30 PM
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