Purdue Boilermakers Big Ten Countdown: #6

Joe Tiller's program has hit a bit of a snag in recent years. The Boilers could have a similar record to last year, but be a better team all-around nonetheless a competitive Big Ten.

Joe Tiller's "basketball on grass," pass-oriented system was on a roll just like back in the Drew Brees days, and Purdue seemed headed for a permanent spot in the Big Ten's upper division.

But then things fell apart, as the difficult late fall conditions conspired to stop the Boilers' high-flying attack, and the defense wasn't good enough to pick up the slack.

Since then, Tiller has made attempts to diversify the offense and to add some punch to the running game in the red zone, adding in some option and more run plays.

He has also continued to recruit more speed on defense, and Purdue has sent some good defenders to the NFL including first-round pick Anthony Spencer this year.

But if Purdue is to make it to a New Year's Day bowl game this year, it will have to get back to what it does best on offense and back to the basics on defense.

Starting with the offense, QB Curtis Painter is back for his senior year and could be poised for a big season. He put up huge yards last year, actually setting the Big Ten single-season passing mark with 3,985 yards and getting no fanfare for it. Perhaps that was due to Purdue's lack of a signature win and his not-so-good 22 to 19 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Painter will be one of the top QB's in the league this year if he can cut down on the INT's.

Purdue 2006 Highlights

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Jaycen Taylor had a good year in limited duty at running back last year with 677 yards on 6 yards per carry, and he is a good fit for the spread offense with his shiftiness. Korey Sheets was the leading rusher last year and will also get his share of the carries. The two should battle for the starting job most of the year.

The wide receiving corps should be the strength of the team, something that hasn't usually been the case despite the passing attack's success. This group has much more speed and potential. Dorien Bryant is a senior burner with game-breaking ability and should finish his career as one of Purdue's all-time greats.

Selwyn Lymon is a big, fast target the likes of which Purdue usually doesn't get a chance to recruit, and Greg Orton is a rising star who can be either an outside receiver or play in the slot.

The offensive line is solid all-around, led by potential All-American and first-round pick Jordan Grimes at right guard.

As for the defense, well, let's just say things didn't go so well last year. The Boilers' defensive line basically had their manhood taken from them as teams ran the ball right up the gut to shocking success all year.

Players like DE Cliff Avril and DT Mike McDonald have talent, however, and an angry year in the weight room should help the D-line improve their ability to stop the run.

Dan Bick is the steady leader at MLB and Anthony Heygood is another in a long line of fast outside linebackers Purdue has churned out in recent years as a converted running who should become a true playmaker in his senior year.

2007 Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Location	TV	Time (ET)	StubHub Tickets		Gamble
09/01/07	Toledo	Toledo		7:00 p.m.	Buy	Sell	Bet
09/08/07	Eastern Illinois	West Laf.		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet
09/15/07	C. Michigan	West Laf.		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet
09/22/07	Minnesota	Minneapolis		8:00 CT	Buy	Sell	Bet
09/29/07	Notre Dame	West Laf.		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet
10/06/07	Ohio State	West Laf.		8:00 p.m.	Buy	Sell	Bet
10/13/07	Michigan	West Laf.		12:00 p.m.	Buy	Sell	Bet
10/20/07	Iowa	West Laf.		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet
10/27/07	Northwestern	West Laf.		12:00 p.m.	Buy	Sell	Bet
11/03/07	Penn State	University Park, Pa.		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet
11/10/07	Michigan State	West Laf.		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet
11/17/07	Indiana	Bloomington		TBA	Buy	Sell	Bet

The secondary boasts three starters 6-feet or taller, but lacks speed and coverage ability and could be a weakness. Terrell Vinson is the leader of the unit at cornerback.

The defensive unit as a whole should finish better than last place in the Big Ten as they did last year, but there still will be major struggles along the way.

It will be the offense's job to pick up the slack as always, but this year, they should be up to the task. Whether they can keep scoring points when the leaves change color will determine whether they make a trip to Florida for New Year's or stay home and watch the games on TV.

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