Hammer and Rails - 2013 College Football: Notre Dame at PurduePurdue's Okayest Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52787/Hammer_And_Rails_favicon..png2013-09-16T14:51:11-04:00http://www.hammerandrails.com/rss/stream/41237932013-09-16T14:51:11-04:002013-09-16T14:51:11-04:00The Whistlestop Tour: Week 3 Of Big Ten Football
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<figcaption>Michael Hickey</figcaption>
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<p>Purdue's Big Ten slate is not looking as challenging as once thought. </p> <p></p>
<p>My apologies to everyone for yesterday's emo post. I, like many of you, see what Saturday night was: hopefully a major step forward as Purdue unexpectedly was competitive in a game it was supposed to be blown out in. There were a lot of positives to take away, but Saturday night it was harder to see that. When Rob Henry's pass was intercepted and taken to the house by <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113595/bennett-jackson">Bennett Jackson</a> something happened. After enjoying the first three quarters and seeing the usually cocky and condescending Notre Dame fans actually afraid for once the end result was seemed especially cruel.</p>
<p>Like all of you, I didn't expect much, but got roped in. Once that happened I started believing that we were actually going to see a monumental upset. Instead, they roped me in and kicked me in the teeth again. Yes, I left early, but it was better for me to calmly leave early than explode in a completely inappropriate display of profanity and anger. A younger me wouldn't have calmly walked away, so I felt like it was the best decision I could make that didn't end in "pending litigation".</p>
<p>I blame my red hair, as always.</p>
<p>Of course, ours was not the only game in the Big Ten this week. For many it was much rougher. As I have done the first few weeks, here is your week 3 review in order from who looks the strongest in the conference right now to who looks the weakest.</p>
<p><b>Ohio</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 52, </b><b>California</b><b> 34</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>No Braxton Miller, no problem for the Buckeyes. Kenny Guiton earned himself Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors as he threw for 276 yards and four touchdowns against no interceptions. He also ran for 92 yards. It was only 31-20 at halftime but the Buckeyes dropped 21 in a strong <a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/9/15/4732170/ohio-state-stock-market-report-calhttp:/www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/9/14/4731788/ohio-state-cal-final-score-bucks-outclass-cal-52-34">third quarter to pull away</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I really don't know what more you can say about Guiton that hasn't been said. He ran Urban Meyer's offense like a conductor overseeing an orchestra, making great throws and runs all night. He has the Cal defense off balance and one step behind all night, and he rolled up 368 yards of offense.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Arizona</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 32, Wisconsin 30</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Even though the Badgers lost I still think they looked like the second best team in the league. They went on the road to a now ranked opponent and, if not for dick-tripping on the final play and having the officials stand around like they were unaware a football game was still on, they probably get a win in the desert. Unfortunately, the ending is all <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wisconsin-badgers-football/2013/9/16/4736340/wisconsin-arizona-state-ending-recap">people will remember</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>But fact of the matter is, Wisconsin got hosed. The referees decided the outcome of the football game by taking the possible win/loss result out of the hands of the players. Plain and simple, that should never happen at the highest levels of college football. Saturday night wasn't just a shock to the system; it was an embarrassment to the sport.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Northwestern 38, </b><b>Western Michigan</b><b> 17</b></p>
<p>This felt like it was the forgotten game of the weekend and that is a very good thing for a Northwestern team that is lying in the weeds right now. After trailing 10-7 in the second quarter the Wildcats scored 24 straight points to end a MAC upset bid in Evanston. That Trayvon Green guy is pretty good too, with 158 yards and two scores. Northwestern has virtual bye against <a href="http://www.sippinonpurple.com/2013/9/14/4732060/northwestern-vs-western-michigan-wildcats-win-but-not-by-like-57000">Maine before hosting Ohio State</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>No, Northwestern did not cover the spread. They could have won by more. But hey won by three touchdowns, and didn't seem to assess any injuries with the real games a few weeks ahead. I think that's okay.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Michigan</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 55, </b><b>Youngstown</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 17</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Did the Spartans finally figure out how to get out of their own way on offense? At least they did what a Big Ten team is supposed to do against an FCS team: win by a lot and score close to 50. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134903/connor-cook">Connor Cook</a> took the majority of snaps at quarterback and topped 200 yards passing at MSU <a href="http://www.theonlycolors.com/2013/9/14/4731704/michigan-state-football-youngstown-state-recap-stepping-forward">cracked 500 yards of offense</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Everything went right. The blocking was there, the running game was there, the receivers were running great routes, getting open and holding onto the ball, Cook was (mostly) making good throws and the play-calling was great.</p>
<p>Yes, it was against an FCS opponent. But MSU couldn't move the ball against teams that lost to FCS opponents. Cook isn't suddenly the answer and MSU won't average 35 points from here on out, but it was a step forward and a confidence-builder, something MSU hasn't has in almost a calendar year.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Minnesota</b><b> 29, </b><b>Western Illinois</b><b> 12</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>For awhile, the Golden Gophers were in danger here. They were trailing the Leathernecks 12-7 midway through the third quarter but recovered to avoid a fourth defeat to an FCS team in recent seasons. Of course, you can't blame them if they were distracted. Coach Jerry Kill once again suffered a seizure <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/16/4735366/minnesota-football-jerry-kill-seizure-gopher-football-gophers-football">and was carted off the field</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is the often unspoken (or obliquely spoken) concern that underpins a lot of the PR disaster arguments. I mean, these seizures have to be hurting the team right? It seems so logical. And it might very well be true to some degree. But as of yet, I don't think we've seen any proof that this is the case (or at least I don't think we've seen proof that the outcomes wouldn't have been the same without a seizure).</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Michigan</b><b> 28, </b><b>Akron</b><b> 24</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>What was that, Michigan? Seriously, what was that? The Wolverines very nearly left an epic mess on the rug a week after looking pretty darn good against Notre Dame. This might have been worse than the Appalachian State loss. At least that was to an FCS team that eventually won three straight national titles. Akron has won four games total in the last four years and hasn't won a road game of any kind in five years. They haven't beaten an FBS level opponent since 2010! Instead, they were two yards away from one of the biggest upsets in <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2013/9/16/4734240/michigan-wolverines-big-ten-football-akron-zips-devin-gardner-brady-hoke-terry-bowdenhttp:/www.maizenbrew.com/2013/9/14/4730486/michigan-28-akron-24-that-wasnt-the-plan">college football history</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>With just under three minutes to go, the Zips drove down to the Michigan four yard line after starting at its own 25. With a 4th & 3 from the Michigan 4 and one final play to decide the game, the specter of Toledo and Appalachian State loomed once again (this Akron team is certainly worse than the latter, and probably isn't any better than the '08 Toledo team, which finished 3-9).</p>
<p>Pohl dropped back, and everything existed as a possibility, as the 22 players on the field moved to decide which universe would be chosen as the one that would exist in this realm of reality.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Washington</b><b> 34, </b><b>Illinois</b><b> 24</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>I was curious to see what would happen at Soldier Field a week after Illinois unexpectedly dismantled a Cincinnati team that had looked very good against Purdue. I wanted to know if that was a one week fluke or if the Fighting Illini had turned a corner and found the stairs out of the Big Ten basement. We got something somewhere in the middle. The Illini aren't awful, but they aren't a Kurt Kittner/Juice Williams surprise run <a href="http://www.thechampaignroom.com/2013/9/15/4733112/the-day-after-dont-be-content-being-happy">to Pasadena good, either</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Yes, the Illini played like crap for a lot of the game and only lost by 10 points. However, Washington also shot itself in the foot numerous times. The Huskies committed 12 penalties for 104 yards, a couple of which were personal fouls to extend Illini drives. The Huskies also turned the ball over twice. So, yes, it was nice to see the Illini fight back and lose by only 10 points to a team that appears to be very good.</p>
<p>But that doesn't change the fact that they were totally outplayed and that if the Huskies hadn't been spending so much time beating themselves, the Illini would have lost by a lot more than 10 points.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Indiana</b><b> 42, </b><b>Bowling Green</b><b> 10</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>I am about to say words that have rarely, if ever, been uttered in reference to college football: An Indiana win turned on a defensive stop for the Hoosiers. Leading 10-7 in the second quarter after the usually IU comedy of errors that included a blocked punt for a TD and a fumbled kickoff Bowling Green had the ball 4<sup>th</sup> and 1 at the IU 22. In this situation, against Indiana, you ALWAYS go for it. Given Indiana's historically awful run defense it is a situation that every coach should feel comfortable in going for it. Matt Johnson was hit for a five yard loss and the Hoosiers went on to score 35 unanswered points. For now, a <a href="http://www.crimsonquarry.com/2013/9/15/4732496/indiana-42-bowling-green-10-recap-2013">bowl game is still alive</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>You've got to feel really good about Indiana's defensive performance. They went up against a decent, but not great spread offense and were quite effective. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159299/nick-mangieri">Nick Mangieri</a> had a hell of a game at DE getting a crazy interception in the third quarter to go with a sack. Tim Bennett and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134744/michael-hunter">Michael Hunter</a> also deserve individual props. Both of those guys were quite good in coverage. They each had 7 passes defended against some bigger and more physical receivers.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>UCLA 41, </b><b>Nebraska</b><b> 21</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>This was nothing short of a complete and utter meltdown by the Cornhuskers on defense. At one point Nebraska was leading 21-3 in the second quarter on its home field. Then, somehow both the offense took the rest of the game off and the defense gave up 38 uninterrupted points. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38230/brett-hundley">Brett Hundley</a> threw for three touchdowns in the third quarter alone as the Cornhuskers were just <a href="http://www.cornnation.com/2013/9/14/4730634/nebraska-cornhuskers-ucla-bruins-postgame-report">awful after taking an 18-point lead</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It was a combination of everything for the Huskers. Breakdowns and seemingly lack of in-game adjustments on defense, along with odd playcalling and questionable decisions on offense.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Central Florida</b><b> 34, Penn State 31</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Just last week I was praising the Nittany Lions that they had somehow fought back against the sanctions and looked to be in a good place as they headed through year two of the four-year wilderness they are in. then they go and lose to Central Florida, who had never before beaten a Big Ten team. They gave up over 500 yards of offense to a <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/9/15/4732396/penn-state-31-ucf-34-bill-obrien-george-oleary-blake-bortles-christian-hackenberg">balanced attack at home no less</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>This must be what Michigan fans felt during the Rich Rod era. Your offense gains nearly 500 total yards, pausing only when it stops itself. And though you fervently hope for a defensive stop of some kind - any kind, really - you're not getting one.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Notre Dame 31, Purdue 24</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>As things look right now Purdue is the lone Big Ten team with two non-conference losses. That will very likely change here soon, but for the most part we're already behind the ledger in getting to the six wins needed for bowl eligibility. That is what we get for only playing one patsy and three real teams on our non-conference slate.</p>
<p>There were some positives to take from this. In the continuation of the bizarre world where I am crying, "DOOM!", Boiled Sports was <a href="http://www.boiledsports.com/2013/september/more-than-a-moral-victory.html">the voice of optimism and reason</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I can't speak for you, but I can tell you that I needed to see something from the team today just so I didn't have such a negative perspective about this young season. The next step in this process is for the Boilers to finish out, and beat one of the good teams that they'll play in the next four or five weeks. Traveling to Madison to go toe-to-toe with a gaggle of angry Badgers, is a tall order....we'll see how quickly they can take this next step.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Can Purdue still make a bowl game? Absolutely! If it can somehow harness the same fire it showed against Notre Dame then home games against Northern Illinois, Illinois, and Iowa look winnable. Nebraska lacks a defense and Michigan State lacks an offense. Penn State and Indiana both don't look as good as originally thought, either. Sure, Purdue would still need to win five of those seven, but that is far from impossible and most people had us at 1-2 at this point anyway.</p>
<p><b>Iowa</b><b> 27, </b><b>Iowa</b><b> State 21</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>By many this game was dubbed the Cripplefight in a Cornfield. I even called it the game to decide the second best team in the state of Iowa. Neither team has looked good, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/142161/mark-weisman">Mark Weisman</a> continued his brazen taunting of AIRBHG with 145 yards on the ground as Iowa pulled <a href="http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2013/9/16/4735490/iowa-iowa-state-2013-analysis">off the win on the road</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>It's not that nobody on Iowa State is good; it's not even that most of Iowa State's players are <i>bad</i>. It's just that where the Cyclones are lacking, they are <i>sorely</i> lacking, and that includes places like "basically the entire offensive line" and "basically the entire secondary."</p>
</blockquote>
<p></p>
<p><b>Non-Conference Opponents: </b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Cincinnati</b><b> 66, </b><b>Northwestern</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 9 - </b>The Bearcats rolled as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35725/brendon-kay">Brendon Kay</a> took over the starting QB roll and threw four touchdown passes. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/201893/hosey-williams">Hosey Williams</a> also rushed for 117 yards and two scores as Cincinnati moved to 2-1.</p>
<p><b>Indiana</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 70, </b><b>Quincy</b><b> 7 - </b>The Sycamores finally get to play their own money game as they opened their home schedule against Division II Quincy. Mike Perish threw for 379 yards and four touchdowns while <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">George Cheeseborough</a> ran for two scores.</p>
<p><b>Northern Illinois</b><b> 45, </b><b>Idaho</b><b> 35 - </b>The Huskies took one of the longer and less traveled road trips at the FBS level and broke open a 35-35 tie with just under 11 minutes left. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/116594/jordan-lynch">Jordan Lynch</a> was Jordan Lynch with 152 yards and three TDs through the air and 159 yards and two scores on the ground.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/16/4737558/the-whistlestop-tour-week-3-of-big-ten-footballBoilerTMill2013-09-16T13:43:41-04:002013-09-16T13:43:41-04:00Behind The Numbers: Joe Gilliam Stands Out
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<figcaption>Michael Hickey</figcaption>
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<p>Middle linebacker Joe Gilliam finally addresses a major deficiency in the Purdue defense. </p> <p></p>
<p>It is no secret that the linebacker position has sucked at Purdue for some time. As we anxiously await Gelen Robinson and Drue Tranquill as possible saviors there, we remember the parade of under-sized, the walk-ons, the playing-out-of-position, and the position-switched guys that have manned the back of the defensive line since the awesome Johnson-Koutouvides line left in 2003.</p>
<p>On Saturday, however, one player stood out in what is hoped to be a building block game rather than the "same old Purdue" that I lamented about in yesterday's wrap. Now, two days later, I see that there were a lot of positive things we can take from the latest near miss against the Fighting Irish. One of those was the lay of linebacker <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114156/joe-gilliam">Joe Gilliam</a>.</p>
<p>In the Big Ten you're not going to have success unless you have linebackers that can play up against the run or back against the pass. This has been Purdue's biggest weakness because of the consistent inability to cover the middle of the field on third down in passing situations. That is the realm of the middle linebacker, who often has to serve as the "quarterback of the defense".</p>
<p>Gilliam, a junior who played at Southport High School on the south side of Indianapolis, is now in his second year as a starter and he provided a major boost in the first half as Purdue's defense baffled the Fighting Irish and limited them to three points. He would finish the night with six tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass break-up. His pass break-up came on Fourth and 4 at the Purdue 39 as the Irish went for it midway through the second quarter.</p>
<p>For most middle linebackers those are pedestrian numbers. For example, Wisconsin's Chris Borland, who we will see this week, had 10 tackles and a sack against Arizona State, but I wanted to cite Gilliam because his play stood out to me in a positive way. Most of the time Purdue's linebacker play stands out in a negative way, but Gilliam was different.</p>
<p>Gilliam had a few other good plays on the night. Late in the second quarter he came up and stuffed <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/143535/cam-mcdaniel">Cam McDaniel</a> on Second and Goal from the four, helping Purdue hold for a field goal just before halftime. His tackle for loss came with Purdue leading 17-10 and he was able to knife through to stop Amir Carlisle for a two yard loss.</p>
<p>There is still room for improvement, however. While Purdue was able to hold the middle in the first half well, in the second half <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113577/tommy-rees">Tommy Rees</a> butchered Purdue on Third and long. The first came on Notre Dame's opening drive. Facing 3<sup>rd</sup> and 9 at the Purdue 47 TJ Jones was wide open over the middle for a 19 yard catch. Later in the quarter DeVaris Daniels converted a 3<sup>rd</sup> and 11 with a 12 yard catch over the middle.</p>
<p>Not to be outdone, Daniels tied the game at 17 a few plays later on 3<sup>rd</sup> and goal from the 9 on what was almost the exact same play Purdue broke up on First and goal. At least that was a fade to the corner. Finally, on the game's final drive that allowed the Irish to milk the final 7:22 off the clock Notre Dame converted a critical 3<sup>rd</sup> and 6, again over the middle, and again to Daniels. This time it went for 18 yards.</p>
<p>Gilliam may not be the unequivocal answer and the next great NFL middle linebacker, but he did show on Saturday that Purdue is improving. As painful as the loss was, Purdue showed it has taken steps forward and Gilliam was a big part of showing that the new staff is addressing concerns such as the long-vilified 3<sup>rd</sup> and long over the middle. Even the converted 3<sup>rd</sup> and longs in the second half were not entirely at the feet of Gilliam. For the most part, Gilliam was a huge improvement over past middle linebacker play, and that is a good sign for the future.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/16/4737270/behind-the-numbers-is-joe-gilliam-a-long-sought-answerBoilerTMill2013-09-15T10:41:22-04:002013-09-15T10:41:22-04:00Notre Dame 31, Purdue 24: What Now?
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<figcaption>Michael Hickey</figcaption>
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<p>Notre Dame 31, Purdue 24: What Now? </p> <p>Purdue Football finally broke me last night.</p>
<p>It wasn't The Fumble. It wasn't last year's Ohio State game. It wasn't 2009 Notre Dame, 2012 against Kansas in basketball, or any of dozens of other losses where defeat was snapped from the jaws of victory.</p>
<p>No, it was last night, where Purdue not just surprising many across the country by being competitive against a team that was undefeated last regular season, but the Boilermakers were actually the better team for three quarters. The running game was still bad, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77526/rob-henry">Rob Henry</a> was making smart decisions and throwing the ball away when he needed to throw it away. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160183/b-j-knauf">B.J. Knauf</a> was being a terror whenever he got the ball. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135188/akeem-hunt">Akeem Hunt</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114159/justin-sinz">Justin Sinz</a> were having success by taking advantage of a surprisingly soft underbelly to consistently move the football.</p>
<p>It wasn't "Basketball on grass", but Purdue was actually moving the ball and threatening to score when a week earlier it could do no such thing against Indiana State. On the defensive side of the ball Purdue's run defense was as excellent as it has ever been. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114156/joe-gilliam">Joe Gilliam</a> was also a surprisingly strong force at linebacker. Gilliam, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135178/taylor-richards">Taylor Richards</a>, and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114141/ricardo-allen">Ricardo Allen</a> had near interceptions in the second quarter, with Allen's inches away from being a sure-fire pick six.</p>
<p>This was totally unexpected. Purdue was a 20-point underdog on its home field and was not only showing that was a mistake, but it was the better team for three quarters. Purdue was finally playing with the poise and discipline that the new regime promised.</p>
<p>Then, in a span of less than four minutes, they broke me:</p>
<p>DeVaris Daniels caught a nine-yard pass to the corner of the end zone where the coverage needed to simply turn around and bat it away.</p>
<p>Daniels then burned Allen again down the sideline, somehow beating the coverage, stiff-arming a tackle, and not getting knocked out of bounds for an 82-yard score.</p>
<p>Finally, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113595/bennett-jackson">Bennett Jackson</a> broken on a Henry pass, his first major mistake of the night, and pick-sixed him.</p>
<p>That was the moment I was finally broken. I just couldn't take it anymore. After being a Purdue fan for over 30 years and seeing hundreds of games, many very similar to this, they made me tap out. I was headed for the exit before Jackson even crossed the goal line. I missed the rest of the game because I had seen all too many times how it plays out. Yes, Purdue answered with a quick score and even got the false hope of the fumble by Amir Carlisle recovered by Richards near midfield.</p>
<p>This game was a microcosm of what it is like to be a Purdue fan. The entire Notre Dame series since about 1997 has been a running serial of similar results. In 1998, 2000, 2002, 2009, 2012, and now this year Purdue was arguably the better team for the entire game only to lose in gut-punch fashion. Winning comes so easy for other teams. For Purdue, be it in basketball or in football, we have to work, scrap, fight, and claw for every inch. We have to listen to mocking taunts of the majority of the rest of our own state because our biggest football rival and biggest basketball rival are both storied programs with history and we have none. Worse yet, Purdue always manages to "find the banana peel" just as it gets close to succeeding, and more times than not it is in the most agonizing fashion possible.</p>
<p>I feel like Sisyphus rolling that damn boulder uphill. Purdue got it as high as No. 5 in the nation and had GameDay in town with actual, national football respect being paid, then it rolled back over us in The Fumble. Purdue pushed that boulder back up to a top 3 ranking and was looking like the best team in the country, then it crushed us and left us crumpled on the hillside like Robbie Hummel lying in the lane at The Barn. Last year, for 59 minutes we were the better team than the only undefeated team in the country on their own field. The last minute was that boulder rolling back downhill over us. It even happened in baseball, a sport where Purdue has NEVER had success, as the best season in school history and a chance for a breakthrough much like IU had this year was all undone in less than 24 hours.</p>
<p>As I said, last night was a microcosm of the entire Purdue sports fan experience. Purdue outplayed and outworked a better, more talented Notre Dame team for 45 minutes. We still had to sit and have our nose rubbed in defeat as they danced in our stadium. This morning their bandwagon fans (their true fans are actually quite nice) are chuckling to themselves and remembering that Purdue sucks, as they always do.</p>
<p>I am not sure what I even mean when I say that the team broke me last night. I rarely leave games early. I am usually the one seeking any shred of Hope for victory and last night there was plenty of time for it, even after I heard the whistle blow signaling the touchdown from Henry to Sinz. At this point I guess we just know as Purdue fans. We know when it is over and we're just beaten. Different coaches come and go, sports change, players change, and the results are still the same. As fans, we get kicked in the teeth in the most cruel way possible.</p>
<p>So I sit here at my computer, haunted look on my face as a cursor blinks on a beautiful Sunday morning. I question what this broken-ness now means and what to do going forward.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/15/4732882/notre-dame-31-purdue-24-what-nowBoilerTMill2013-09-14T18:00:07-04:002013-09-14T18:00:07-04:00Notre Dame At Purdue 2013 GameThread
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<figcaption>Pat Lovell-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Discuss tonight's game as the Fighting Irish visit Ross-Ade Stadium.</p> <p>Ross-Ade Stadium should be packed and there should be a fun atmosphere tonight as we face long-time rival Notre Dame. The expectations, as you can tell from this week, are very low. Purdue is a big home underdog at night, which rarely happens in the college football world. Fortunately, it affords the opportunity to shock a bunch of people.</p>
<p>Even though Purdue has a very poor home night record, the crowd should be excellent. I have a good feeling about this one too. I have for some time. I remember the 1997 game where Joe Tiller's unheralded team, fresh off of an ugly loss at Toledo, stunned the Irish to break a 12-game losing streak. The current loss streak is only five, but a victory would be just as stunning if not more so.</p>
<p>I am sitting int eh Shively Club tonight so follow along with my comments on Twitter. Juan has come out of retirement to police the Open Thread, so let's go shock some people!.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/14/4729504/notre-dame-at-purdue-2013-gamethreadBoilerTMill2013-09-14T09:00:05-04:002013-09-14T09:00:05-04:00Notre Dame At Purdue: H&R Staff Picks
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<figcaption>Jonathan Daniel</figcaption>
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<p>The Hammer & Rails Staff chimes in on tonight's night game.</p> <p>It's time for staff picks again, and we're pretty much all in agreement:</p>
<p><b>Paul Cranham, Pilot, Boilermaker Special VII</b></p>
<p>Woof (<a href="http://youtu.be/_Ws5pimN4mw" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/_Ws5pimN4mw</a>). Based on what we've seen so far from both Purdue and Notre Dame, it's gonna be ugly. Part of me still wants to believe that there's a chance (<a href="http://youtu.be/KX5jNnDMfxA" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/KX5jNnDMfxA</a>), but I'm not even cautiously optimistic in this one like I was before the Cincinnati game. That being said, conventional wisdom is basically useless when it comes to Purdue football and big rivalry games. Last year's team that got completely blown out by Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Penn State was still able to eke out a pair of near-victory gut punches against the only two teams that went undefeated in the regular season. Worst of all, Purdue was in a position to win both of those games with mere seconds left on the clock, before snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in sensational Danny Hope style. Notre Dame was favored by only 14 points last year, compared to the 20.5 spread this year, and Purdue still miraculously found a way to compete in that game. For those who missed it, the Purdue Sports YouTube channel posted a #TBT (ThrowBack Thursday) highlight reel (<a href="http://youtu.be/fFZN2eGwORI" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/fFZN2eGwORI</a>) <wbr></wbr>from the 1967 Purdue/Notre Dame game when Mike Phipps and Leroy Keys led the Boilermakers to victory over the #1-ranked Irish. Give it a watch before the game to give you some hope, and watch it after to cheer you up.</p>
<p>As far as my prediction for this Saturday goes, I don't expect it to be close. I was on the field last week with the Boilermaker Special and when the team was lining up to come out from the locker room for the 2nd half, one of the defensive players (it may have been <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114136/sean-robinson">Sean Robinson</a>) was trying to hype up the defense by repeating, "If they don't score, they can't win." No matter how John Madden-esque that sounds, it is true. With the state of our offense, the defense may be what we have to hang our hat on this year. That said, and even though our defense has had some promising moments (compared to the offense, at least), I think they are going to be on the field too much and fatigue will be their undoing by the time the late 3rd or early 4th quarter rolls around. If we want to have a prayer in this game, I think we have to win the time of possession battle. If our offense can at least stay on the field long enough to give our defense a fighting chance, then we can only hope and pray that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113577/tommy-rees">Tommy Rees</a> that we all know and love shows up. That version of Tommy Rees showed up on Notre Dame's last drive under the lights against Michigan last week, so hopefully he's still around. If those things are able to happen, Purdue has a chance to be in it late in the game and steal a close win. I don't have it in me to predict that we'll actually do that, though. Our margin of error is too small right now. This rebuild is going to take some time, and I'm going to patiently support the team until it happens. <b>Purdue 13, Notre Dame 35</b><img src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/images/cleardot.gif"></p>
<p><b>Rachel Van Gessel</b></p>
<p>Notre Dame... it’s hard to think that Purdue will win this game. We’re outmatched physically, let alone the fact that we can’t really execute on offense. I think special teams will come up with at least one big play to supplement/assist our offense for the third week in a row. Losing Landon Feichter certainly hurts our secondary but I think <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114141/ricardo-allen">Ricardo Allen</a> and the rest of the boys should be able to turn Tommy Rees over. It’s Tommy Rees for goodness sakes. The guy is inconsistent. On offense it will be a struggle to get first downs, just like it was last week. Our O-line will have its work cut out for us. I don’t think <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77526/rob-henry">Rob Henry</a> will play much better than he has been and we will see <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160163/austin-appleby">Austin Appleby</a> <span class="aBn"><span class="aQJ">tomorrow</span></span> night.<b> Purdue 13, Notre Dame 34</b></p>
<p><b>Juan Crespo</b></p>
<p>I decided not to do a prediction because, well, it's just going to be awful.</p>
<p><b><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/158590/thomas-chapman">Thomas Chapman</a></b></p>
<p>The bright (non-permanent) lights at Ross-Ade can only do so much for the Boilermakers this Saturday night. Barring a miracle or total comedy of errors from the Irish, Notre Dame should win handily. The talent differential between the teams is just too wide and nothing the Boilermakers did against Indiana State lends hope to the possibility of them playing a perfect game and pulling off the upset. The team just isn't on the same page yet and after watching Illinois manhandle Cincinnati last week, I don't think you can chalk the opening week's loss up to simply playing a much more talented team either. Expect a big game from Tommy Rees as he avenges his older sister's <a href="http://www.purdueexponent.org/sports/article_c37ce39e-ede0-11e0-b2ef-0019bb30f31a.html" target="_blank">public intoxication charge</a> from 2011. If I was a betting man, and I am, I'd take the Irish covering the 21 point spread. <b>Notre Dame 31 Purdue 7</b></p>
<p><b>T-Mill</b></p>
<p>Purdue hasn't been getting a lot of respect all week, and with good reason. Yes, this is our one chance to show the nation that something is under construction in West Lafayette, but through two games our offense has scored a grand total of two touchdowns and against teams that have surrendered 114 points against their other opponents. Our defense isn't bad, but we're not so much the Cradle of Quarterbacks right now as the Soiled Bed Linens of Offensive Putridity.</p>
<p>With this game the Notre Dame bandwagon should be full again, especially if Bowling Green beats Indiana earlier in the day and the IU "fans" that started paying attention after their epic 73 points against Indiana State return to their One True Football team. As Purdue fans, we have to deal with these people, the current state of our own team, and all the negative recruiting momentum going in basketball.</p>
<p>We need some good news, and a shocking upset of the Fighting Irish would make us forget a lot of those things. Unfortunately, that is exactly what it would be: shocking. Unless we see a completely different offense than the one seen the last week we're in for another long, disappointing night game at Ross-Ade.</p>
<p>No wonder Morgan doesn't want lights. I hope I am wrong with this pick. <b>Notre Dame 38, Purdue 10</b></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/14/4727580/notre-dame-at-purdue-h-r-staff-picksBoilerTMill2013-09-13T14:27:05-04:002013-09-13T14:27:05-04:002013 Big Ten Football: Week 3 Preview
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<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Big Ten enters this week a combined 21-3, but there could be multiple losses as they actually play real teams this week. </p> <p></p>
<p>The third week of college football is usually pretty interesting because that is the time that teams start playing real opponents instead of FCS teams and MAC teams. The Big Ten is no different. Ohio State is leaving Ohio for a non-conference game. Wisconsin is playing a team stronger than a Madison frat flag football team. We have a double-ranked team matchup in Lincoln as part of the unofficial Big Ten/Pac-12 challenge. Purdue hosts Notre Dame, while Iowa-Iowa State get to battle to be the second best team in Iowa behind Northern Iowa.</p>
<p>This is should be a fun week. All told, there are four Big Ten/Pac-12 games, three MAC games, two FCS games, and a game with Notre Dame.</p>
<p><b>Bowling Green</b><b> (2-0) at </b><b>Indiana</b><b> (1-1) </b><b>Noon</b><b>, ESPNU</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.crimsonquarry.com/2013/9/12/4722434/indiana-football-vs-bowling-green-preview-gut-check-time">Crimson Quarry Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Look, we all know Indiana sucks against the run. That makes the matchup against Navy such a bad one since all they do is run. This week's game will likely decide if Indiana is indeed going to go to an elusive bowl game or not. Before the season it looked like a slam dunk IU win. Now, Bowling Green looks a little feisty. The Falcons are averaging 37.5 points per game in wins over Tulsa and Kent State. Travis Greene ran for 145 yards last week, so they have a running game, but they can also pass well. If they can get the second MAC-over-Big Ten win of the season it is likely curtains for IU's bowl hopes.</p>
<p>For the Hoosiers, if they let Bowling Green score at will it is going to be a long season. We all know IU can score, but if Indiana can't stop anyone their hurry-up offense will only serve to get other teams back on the field faster. I agree with Adam at Crimson Quarry. It is gut check time for IU. I expect a fun shootout here because Indiana can definitely score a ton of points. <b>Indiana</b><b> 52, </b><b>Bowling Green</b><b> 38</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Akron</b><b> (1-1) at </b><b>Michigan</b><b> (2-0) </b><b>Noon</b><b>, Big Ten Network</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2013/9/10/4718058/michigan-vs-akron-game-information-9-14-13">Maize N' Brew Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Akron has been blasted by Central Florida and barely got past FCS James Madison last week 35-33. That is not the best place to be when coming in to face a team that is looking decidedly dangerous. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113843/devin-gardner">Devin Gardner</a> shows more maturity as the Wolverines easily cruise here. <b>Michigan</b><b> 56, </b><b>Akron</b><b> 10</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Western Illinois</b><b> (2-0) at </b><b>Minnesota</b><b> (2-0) </b><b>Noon</b><b>, Big Ten Network</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2013/9/13/4726494/minnesota-football-gopher-football-gophers-football-versus-western-illinois-preview">The Daily Gopher Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Okay, Minnesota. We've been here before. This is not a team from the Dakotas, so don't screw this up. The Golden Gophers have been solid on special teams and decent on defense, but <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/159863/philip-nelson">Philip Nelson</a> only has one touchdown pass so far. In that time he has rushed for three. Even rob Henry has been a better passer so far, so I am sure Minnesota wants to work on more of a passing game here. <b>Minnesota</b><b> 41, </b><b>Western Illinois</b><b> 13</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>No. 16 UCLA (1-0) at No. 23 Nebraska (2-0) Noon, </b><b>ABC</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.cornnation.com/nebraska-huskers-ucla-bruins">Corn Nation Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>This is round two of the Big Ten/Pac-12 challenge and our conference already has a 1-0 lead thanks to Northwestern's win at California. It should be a fun one too since UCLA scored 58 in a win over Nevada and has had a week off to prepare. Meanwhile, the Cornhuskers have some serious concerns about their defense. Last season UCLA won 36-30 in LA and this one looks to have a lot more points scored.</p>
<p>I really like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/132010/ameer-abdullah">Ameer Abdullah</a> and Taylor Martinez as offensive weapons for Nebraska. Martinez has played well so far and the ground game has generated 330 yards per game. When it doubt, pick the home team. <b>Nebraska</b><b> 31, UCLA 28</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Youngstown</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> (2-0) at </b><b>Michigan</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> (2-0) </b><b>2pm</b><b>, Big Ten Network</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.theonlycolors.com/2013/9/11/4717590/michigan-state-football-game-week-q-a-youngstown-state">The Only Colors Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>That is not a typo. This is the odd staggered 2pm start on Big Ten Network as there are four noon games, this one, and the rest are at night. With this one we should find out if the Spartans are historically inept on offense. Through two games their defensive end, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134928/shilique-calhoun">Shilique Calhoun</a>, has more touchdowns than the entire MSU offense. He has scored on two fumble returns and an interception return, while MSU has only two offensive touchdowns, both from <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113940/jeremy-langford">Jeremy Langford</a>.</p>
<p>Youngstown State isn't a bad FCS team either. Just two years ago they beat North Dakota State for one of their only two losses in the last three years. Michigan State's offense is just bad enough that we could have an upset on our hands here, but the defense really is too good to let it happen. <b>Michigan</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 20, </b><b>Youngstown</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 10</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Iowa</b><b> (1-1) at </b><b>Iowa</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> (0-1) </b><b>6pm</b><b>, Fox Sports 1</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2013/9/11/4719700/iowa-iowa-state-2013-football-preview">Black Heart Gold Pants Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>I really shouldn't do this...</p>
<p>(Thinks)</p>
<p>Okay, I can't resist:</p>
<p><iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Gqw1FI1hfJA" width="420" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe> <br id="1379096686508"></p>
<p>Yes, we have no room to talk, but both of these teams have looked pretty bad so far. Iowa State lost to Northern Iowa and Iowa struggled against Missouri State. You also have last year's 9-6 turd to judge this game by, when Iowa State walked into Kinnick and started the downfall of our Most Hated Rivals.</p>
<p>Look, I want toe Hawkeyes to be bad. I want them to struggle, mostly so we have someone else we can beat this year. Purdue pretty much has to beat Indiana, Iowa, and Michigan State and hope two wins come from somewhere else. Both of these teams are pretty bad, but at least Iowa didn't lose to an FCS team. <b>Iowa</b><b> 13, </b><b>Iowa</b><b> State 12</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Central Florida</b><b> (2-0) at </b><b>Penn</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> (2-0) </b><b>6pm</b><b>, Big Ten Network</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2013/9/8/4707082/central-florida-knights-vs-penn-state-nittany-lions">Black Shoe Diaries Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>This will be very interesting. Central Florida has only given up seven points this season, but they have played the likes of Akron and Florida International. The UCF-FIU game in Miami last week was famously out-attended by a huge high school game, if that says anything. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/128013/blake-bortles">Blake Bortles</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/215213/christian-hackenberg">Christian Hackenberg</a> should put on a nice quarterbacking display.</p>
<p>Everyone who expected the Nittany Lions to suck as the sanction began to take hold will be gravely disappointed. This is not a bad Penn State team, at least judging by the results so far. The defense is pretty solid and should be able to keep it in most games. I think that means they'll be just fine coming out of the sanctions in two years. <b>Penn</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 24, </b><b>Central Florida</b><b> 14</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>No. 19 </b><b>Washington</b><b> (1-0) vs. </b><b>Illinois</b><b> (2-0) at Soldier Field, </b><b>6pm</b><b>, Big Ten Network</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.thechampaignroom.com/2013/9/13/4726916/game-preview-illinois-washington-soldier-field">The Champaign Room Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Where did THAT come from last week, Illinois? I said it was easy money that Cincinnati was a 7-point favorite over the Fighting Illini and Illinois went out and vented on a team. This is an Illinois offense that had been so inept in its last 18 games against FBS competition that I thought it would take three games to score 41 points. Now Nathan Scheelhaase has already passed many of last year's numbers.</p>
<p>Washington has had a week off since playing Potato State, but they have to fly across the country for a game that definitely looks a lot tougher than it did a week ago at this time. Last Friday I wondered allowed if Illinois would win another game. Now I am wondering if they might be a dark horse in the Leaders Division. If they spring an upset here they just might be. <b>Washington</b><b> 24, </b><b>Illinois</b><b> 21</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>No. 4 </b><b>Ohio</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> (2-0) at </b><b>California</b><b> (1-1) </b><b>7pm</b><b>, </b><b>FOX</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2013/9/13/4725270/ohio-state-vs-cal-2013-game-preview">Land-Grant Holyland Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Last year this was a closer-than-expected game in Columbus where the Golden Bears had a legitimate chance to steal a win in the second half. Sonny Dykes, the new Cal coach, was once rumored to be interested in Purdue before we got Darrell Hazell. He has a nice passing-oriented offense that can put up some points, but Cal has already lost to Northwestern and struggled with Portland State last week.</p>
<p>This should be a game that the Buckeyes handle with ease, even with the long road trip. This is mostly because Cal doesn't have a discernable defense. <b>Ohio</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 45, </b><b>California</b><b> 28</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>No. 21 Notre Dame (1-1) at Purdue (1-1) </b><b>8pm</b><b>, </b><b>ABC</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Purdue hasn't been getting a lot of respect all week, and with good reason. Yes, this is our one chance to show the nation that something is under construction in West Lafayette, but through two games our offense has scored a grand total of two touchdowns and against teams that have surrendered 114 points against their other opponents. Our defense isn't bad, but we're not so much the Cradle of Quarterbacks right now as the Soiled Bed Linens of Offensive Putridity.</p>
<p>With this game the Notre Dame bandwagon should be full again, especially if Bowling Green beats Indiana earlier in the day and the IU "fans" that started paying attention after their epic 73 points against Indiana State return to their One True Football team. As Purdue fans, we have to deal with these people, the current state of our own team, and all the negative recruiting momentum going in basketball.</p>
<p>We need some good news, and a shocking upset of the Fighting Irish would make us forget a lot of those things. Unfortunately, that is exactly what it would be: shocking. Unless we see a completely different offense than the one seen the last week we're in for another long, disappointing night game at Ross-Ade.</p>
<p>No wonder Morgan doesn't want lights. I hope I am wrong with this pick. <b>Notre Dame 38, Purdue 10</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Western Michigan</b><b> (0-2) at No. 17 Northwestern (2-0) </b><b>9pm</b><b>, Big Ten Network</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.sippinonpurple.com/2013/9/11/4718718/northwestern-vs-western-michigan-football">Sippin' On Purple Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>Guys, Northwestern is pretty damn good this year. Western Michigan lost last week to FCS Nicholls State. That is really all you need to know. <b>Northwestern 56, </b><b>Western Michigan</b><b> 10</b></p>
<p><b>No. 20 </b><b>Wisconsin</b><b> (2-0) at </b><b>Arizona</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> (1-0) </b><b>10:30pm</b><b>, ESPN</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2013/9/11/4715002/wisconsin-at-arizona-state-game-preview">Bucky's 5<sup>th</sup> Quarter Preview</a></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>This game features the best two defenses in America! Neither team has given up a single point yet. Of course, they have played two FCS teams and probably the worst team in the MAC combined, but a combined score of 148-0 in their three games to this point is pretty impressive.</p>
<p>That is why this is likely the best game of the week. You have two pretty good teams playing the late game and it is their first real opponent of the season. Hopefully Purdue is still in their game with Notre Dame by the time this gets going at 10:30pm.</p>
<p>The Badgers are back to doing what they do: run all over everyone. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135206/melvin-gordon">Melvin Gordon</a> and James White are rolling as they have 780 yards rushing as a team. That pretty much relegates the quarterback controversy because Wisconsin only needs a guy to stand back there and hand off. <i>I</i> can do that. <b>Wisconsin</b><b> 24, </b><b>Arizona</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> 21</b></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/13/4727528/2013-big-ten-football-week-3-preview-predictionsBoilerTMill2013-09-12T13:25:33-04:002013-09-12T13:25:33-04:00Purdue-Notre Dame 2013: A Three-headed Blogger Q&A
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<figcaption>Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The lead writers from three different Notre Dame blogs stop by to answer T-Mill's questions about the Irish. </p> <p></p>
<p>This week we have not one, not two, but three very special guests for the opposing blogger Q&A. All three contacted me this week in advance of Saturday night's game with the Fighting Irish.</p>
<p>First, we have Keith Arnold of <a href="http://irish.nbcsports.com/2013/09/11/and-in-that-corner-the-purdue-boilermakers-4/">NBC Sports' Inside the Irish</a>.</p>
<p>Second, we have Patrick from <a href="http://www.onefootdown.com/">SB Nation's own One Foot Down</a>.</p>
<p>Third, we have Frank Vitovitch <a href="http://www.uhnd.com/articles/opponents/enemy-lines-purdue-13/">from UHND.com</a>.</p>
<p>Let's have at it!</p>
<p><b>T-Mill: </b>How has the team responded to getting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113577/tommy-rees">Tommy Rees</a> back as the quarterback as opposed to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/133679/everett-golson">Everett Golson</a>?</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Keith: </b>Tommy Rees has no problem with his teammates. They've respected him since the day he took over the quarterback job as a freshman, and only gained more respect for him when he slid into the supporting role last season, helping Everett Golson both on and off the field.</p>
<p>Rees isn't as dynamic as Golson, but he's a smart quarterback who is good enough to beat you. The work he's put in off the field has gone a long way with his teammates.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Frank: </b>Rees is well respected on the team and so far the offense has actually moved the ball pretty well and put up more points on Michigan this year than they did last year. In 2012 Notre Dame scored 13 points against Michigan. Last week they scored 23 (7 came via interception). The problem has been that Rees made the type of turnover that has plagued him over the years last week.</p>
<p>Interestingly enough, Brian Kelly and Chuck Martin have decided to put the ball in the air much more with Rees under center. Last year Notre Dame set up the pass with the run. This year they are doing the opposite - much to the consternation of just about every single Notre Dame fan.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Patrick: </b>Very well. The Temple game (I know, it was against Temple) actually showed that Rees could make those downfield throws which we thought were never an option with him behind center. The Michigan game was a solid performance as well, and the second part of his first back-to-back 300 yard passing games. Our deep receiving corps has really made having Rees as our starting QB a manageable proposition.</p>
<p>That being said, the game against Michigan is precisely the type of game where we really miss EG. We needed our offense to be able to punch it in the end zone, and Rees lacks the mobility to have any read-option, speed option, or run-pass rollouts in the playbook. That little extra wrinkle that EG brought to the offense (along with the deep ball) is enough to open up everything else just a little bit more, and make getting into the end zone a touch easier. EG could go out and win us a football game almost singlehandedly. I'm not so sure Tommy Rees has that skill in his arsenal.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b></b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>T-Mill: </b>Michigan was able to throw the ball on Notre Dame's secondary, but Purdue has struggled moving the ball at all. Is this the best way to attack the Irish?</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Patrick: </b>I would say yes, but a lot of the ability to throw the ball on our secondary was due to Gardner throwing perfect darts to very well covered receivers in man coverage after surviving a blitz. I think against Purdue, we're going to blitz MUCH less, and focus on getting pressure with 4 rushers. We'll see more zone coverage from ND which will (hopefully, if we can tackle) limit the effectiveness of the receivers. A pain point for the Irish so far this year has been the speed of our ILBs in coverage, which could be exploitable with a quick back out of the backfield, slot receiver, or athletic tight end. There's a reason why we like to blitz them.</p>
<p><b>Frank: </b>The best way so far this year is to attack them with the short passing game and forced Notre Dame to tackle. Temple did just that and they moved the ball well throughout the game. Notre Dame has been playing more man coverage this year and allowing the underneath stuff. Problem is, Notre Dame has reverted back to Tenuta-Era tackling which has resulted in more yards after the catch than the Irish would like.</p>
<p>If I were Purdue, I would run a lot of three step drops and get the ball in the air quick before Notre Dame can apply much pressure.</p>
<p><b>Keith: </b>I think so, though my rationale has changed quite a bit in the past two weeks. Heading into this season, I'd have said attacking the Irish through the air would've been the default answer, because running the ball against this front seven didn't look like a winning proposition. But Devin Gardner and Jeremy Gallon showed that there are big plays to be made against the defense, when in the past getting behind the secondary and grabbing large chunks of yardage was only done by Nick Saban and company.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>T-Mill:</b> Notre Dame's offense against Temple seemed to be a little feast or famine. Are there concerns natural concerns or is it starting to come together.</p>
<p><b>Frank: </b>Most of the concerns right now are over Notre Dame's pass happy play calling despite having a very good offensive line that has paved the way for success on the ground when Notre Dame has run the ball. Notre Dame attempted over 50 passes to just 19 runs despite never being down more than two scores against Michigan. Kelly has claimed it was because Notre Dame was facing 8 man fronts, but unless he was seeing double, Michigan rarely committed to that many defenders in the box.</p>
<p>Tommy Rees showed what we've seen from him previously against Michigan. He can be solid, he can make plays, but he isn't the kind of quarterback that you can rely on to sling it 50 times and still win against a quality opponent. Until Notre Dame commits to running the ball more, the offense will struggle with consistency.</p>
<p><b>Keith: </b>A loss to Michigan puts the whole system on trial for most Irish fans, though the ones that have been able to keep a level head after a disappointing loss have acknowledged that the offense seems to be coming together, though it did feel a little pass happy in Ann Arbor.</p>
<p>When the going is good, this team eats up yardage by the heap, as you saw at times against both Temple and Michigan. When it struggles, it seems to get trapped in horizontal constraints of its own doing, and abandons the run.</p>
<p>The running back rotation is still a bit of a mystery, though they have plenty of talent in the ranks. And there look to be at least four talented receiving options, with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/143547/troy-niklas">Troy Niklas</a> stepping into a playmaking role at tight end, along with some young players that have lots of talent.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Patrick: </b>I think the biggest concern among the fanbase is the red zone offense, specifically the abandonment of the running game when we're in the shadow of the uprights. The offense is extremely efficient when it comes to yards gained vs. available yards, but we can't turn it into 7 points regularly enough. We're definitely at the tipping point for our offense to be deadly, we just need to convert in the red zone.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>T-Mill: </b>Do you think this is a bit of a trap game with a tough Michigan State defense following the Purdue game?</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Patrick: </b>I could have definitely seen that being the case before the Michigan game was in the books. Now, I feel that Purdue is going to be on the wrong end of a team looking to put the hurt on someone. This is like Rocky 3: Michigan is like first fight Clubber Lang, this week of practice has been our training montage, and Purdue coming up is like the second fight Clubber Lang. We've got something to prove and we're going to come out swinging.</p>
<p><b>Frank: </b>Had Notre Dame won, I would be much more concerned with a let down, but coming off a loss, I don't see this as a trap game. Michigan State hasn't looked overly impressive earlier so far so I don't think Notre Dame will get caught looking ahead. An emotional win last week in Ann Arbor would have thrown all of that out the window. A humbling loss, on the other hand, should have this team focused and ready to play come Saturday night.</p>
<p>The last time Notre Dame lost a tough game in Ann Arbor (2011) they came out charged up and upset #15 Michigan State at home the following week. I expect a similar effort and focus this weekend.</p>
<p><b>Keith: </b>I'd have agreed with that theory if ND didn't lose to Michigan. But this is going to be one surly group, and I don't think they'll look past anything this week... and certainly not ahead to Michigan State.<b> </b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>T-Mill: </b>For now, the Purdue-Notre Dame series is on the books until 2022. Do you see Purdue and ND playing every year through that contract even though the Big Ten's nine game schedule in 2016 would mean only 6 home games?</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Frank: </b>I think this series will continue uninterrupted as long as both schools want it. The last three contests at Purdue have all been prime time games (2009, 2011, 2013) which I'm sure is a nice economic boost for them and for the Irish it's an easy trip to make early in the season.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Patrick: </b>I think it will be extremely difficult, depending on how the B1G structures their schedule. Notre Dame is pretty well married to the 7-4-1 model, which means that home-and-homes with Navy, USC, Stanford, Purdue, and MSU along with 5 ACC games are going to get extremely hairy to schedule. Let's just say I'm happy I'm not Jack Swarbrick. There are more scenarios than not in my head where ND is left scrambling to fill open home game slots in at least a few of those years after the B1G goes to 9 games.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Keith: </b>That's the big question, though Notre Dame and Purdue have been playing home and homes for a long time, and nobody expected that to change. While Michigan certainly won the war of public opinion, the truth was that Jack Swarbrick called Michigan AD Dave Brandon and told him they needed to get out of the 2015 game before sliding him an envelope during pregame warm-ups, a move Brandon said was a shocking surprise. With Notre Dame's ACC scheduling pact (a move likely necessitated only after Jim Delany and Mike Slive started snatching up schools like Monopoly properties), there were just too many dance partners for the Irish card.</p>
<p>If you look at the five mandated ACC games, yearly dates with rivals USC, Navy and Stanford (now a rival because of both its academic reputation and West Coast locale), that's eight games each year, right off the bat. Add to that long running series with schools like Purdue, Michigan State and Michigan, and one of those had to give, especially with contractually obligated games like Texas, Arizona State, Northwestern and more.</p>
<p>Will Purdue stay on Notre Dame's schedule every year? I'm not sure. But I think Brian Kelly mentioning the Boilermakers as an important in-state rivalry gives you an idea of how the university feels about the game.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>T-Mill: </b>Purdue is rightfully a big underdog here. What has to happen for the Boilers to have a chance.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Patrick: </b>I think the obvious first answer is you get Bad Tommy. Forcing the ball into too-tight windows, checking out of running plays at the first whiff of a safety within 25 yards of the LOS, turnovers and incompletions all over the place. The second part of the perfect storm would be our DL playing way too aggressively, letting you catch them with big, gashing screen plays. The final part of the perfect storm would be if our safeties don't keep a lid on the defense. There were a couple of blown coverages in the Michigan game, that, while underneath the last line of the defense, were not great omens for our safeties' pattern reading ability or knowledge of their coverage schemes. One or two deep bombs could go a long way to getting you to the promised land.</p>
<p>And yes, I think it would take all 3 of those things for Purdue to pull it out this weekend. If only 2 of those happen, I think we see what happened last year.</p>
<p><b>Frank: </b>Notre Dame is still in search of leadership on the defensive side of the ball this year and after giving up 41 points to Michigan a week ago their confidence has to be shaken to say the least. Without much leadership on that side of the ball, so far anyway, a quick Purdue start could make this a competitive game early on.</p>
<p>Defensively, they can make things interesting by baiting Rees into some turnovers early. If they sit back and play it safe and give Rees time to throw the ball, he will move the offense down the field. If I am Purdue, I show some stacked defensive fronts and then drop defenders into coverage and hope to pick off Rees like Michigan did at the end of the first half last weekend.</p>
<p><b>Keith: </b>They need to play stingy on defense, figure out their offense pretty quickly, and force a few more turnovers out of Tommy Rees. After looking really suspect on special teams, Notre Dame played really well last Saturday. But Purdue might need to make something happen there as well, just like they did last week.</p>
<p>Ross-Ade has been a place that's gotten rowdy in the past for this game. But Purdue will need to withstand an early barrage keep the crowd in it, and get into a slug match, getting big games out of <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114163/ryan-russell">Ryan Russell</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114161/bruce-gaston">Bruce Gaston</a> up front. They've only had so-so luck doing that over the past few years, bizarrely playing better at Notre Dame Stadium than at home against Brian Kelly's squad.</p>
<h4>More from Hammer and Rails:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/11/4720724/gabe-holmes-injury-senior-te-out-vs-notre-dame?utm_source=hammerandrails&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Gabe Holmes Injury: Senior TE Out Vs. Notre Dame</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/12/4722496/boilermakings-has-your-notre-dame-links?utm_source=hammerandrails&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Boilermakings Has Your Notre Dame Links</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/11/4719720/notre-dame-at-purdue-2013-a-preview-of-pain?utm_source=hammerandrails&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Notre Dame At Purdue 2013: A Preview Of Pain</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/10/4715954/2014-purdue-football-recruiting-week-3-round-up?utm_source=hammerandrails&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">2014 Purdue Football Recruiting: Week 3 Round-up</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/10/4715526/notre-dame-at-purdue-2013-game-time-tv-schedule-odds-streaming-and?utm_source=hammerandrails&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=blogs">Notre Dame At Purdue 2013: Game Time, TV Schedule, Odds, Streaming, And More</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/12/4723570/purdue-notre-dame-2013-a-three-headed-blogger-q-aBoilerTMill2013-09-11T18:14:03-04:002013-09-11T18:14:03-04:00Gabe Holmes Injury: Senior TE Out Vs. Notre Dame
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/MqaZ3Ylxtyxc5i_CFrDQoQS8EzM=/0x377:2858x2282/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/19373291/20130907_ajw_bd1_026.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The senior tight end suffered a major wrist injury in practice. </p> <p></p>
<p>Purdue received more bad news this afternoon when it concerns Saturday's night game against Notre Dame. The Boilers, already struggling on offense, will be without tight end <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77550/gabe-holmes">Gabe Holmes</a>, who injured his wrist Tuesday in practice. The injury came as he made a great catch and coach Darrell hazel labeled it as "significant".</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Gabe Holmes out Saturday with wrist injury. 'It's pretty serious' says Darrell Hazell. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Purdue&src=hash">#Purdue</a></p>
— GoldandBlack.com (@GoldandBlackcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldandBlackcom/statuses/377905837878296576">September 11, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Holmes has been Purdue's leading receiver so far. Through two games he has a team high nine receptions for 69 yards. Against Indiana State he had six catches for 39 yards and Purdue only has 33 receptions as a team.</p>
<p>Holmes is likely to be replaced by junior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114159/justin-sinz">Justin Sinz</a>, who has three catches for 19 yards. In his career he has 10 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Blocking tight ends Sterling Carter and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135198/patrick-bade">Patrick Bade</a> may also play a larger role, while redshirt freshman <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160160/carlos-carvajal">Carlos Carvajal</a> is also a possible replacement.</p>
<p></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/9/11/4720724/gabe-holmes-injury-senior-te-out-vs-notre-dameBoilerTMill