Hammer and Rails - 2013 Big Ten Media DaysPurdue's Okayest Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52787/Hammer_And_Rails_favicon..png2013-07-25T15:17:58-04:00http://www.hammerandrails.com/rss/stream/43171052013-07-25T15:17:58-04:002013-07-25T15:17:58-04:002013 Big Ten Media Days: What We Learned
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fmy12VLhSPJePZ67_DIkzF62tLk=/0x30:4000x2697/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/16894981/20120724_jel_sl8_170.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>There was some new information released about the 2013 Boilermakers the last two days. </p> <p></p>
<p>The frenzy of Big Ten Media Days is fun, but often very little is learned. The coaches speak for 15 minutes on the first day, mostly in coach speak with little given away. The second day is better with more intimate roundtable interviews, but few true secrets are given out. If you mine through some things, however, you do get a little bit of new information. Here is what I was able to find:</p>
<p><b>The freshmen have numbers</b></p>
<p>Getting the freshmen represented it he countdown is always a dicey proposition, but they are slowly arriving on campus. That means we know who will be wearing what number now! Here is what the media guide had:</p>
<p>3 - Leroy Clark (Defense, as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160160/carlos-carvajal" class="sbn-auto-link">Carlos Carvajal</a> is wearing #3 on offense)</p>
<p>4 - Keith Byars II (Offense, as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135178/taylor-richards" class="sbn-auto-link">Taylor Richards</a> is #4 on defense)</p>
<p>5 - Danny Etling (offense) and Austin Logan (defense)</p>
<p>9 - Dan Monteroso (offense, as Anthony Brown will wear it on defense)</p>
<p>10 - Matt Burke (Offense, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114136/sean-robinson" class="sbn-auto-link">Sean Robinson</a> on defense)</p>
<p>16 - Garrett Hudson (Defense, as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135182/dolapo-macarthy" class="sbn-auto-link">Dolapo Macarthy</a> is on offense)</p>
<p>20 - Dalyn Dawkins</p>
<p>22 - Da'Wan Hunte</p>
<p>23 - Keyante Green</p>
<p>28 - David Yancey</p>
<p>34 - Dezwan Polk-Campbell</p>
<p>35 - <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38875/johnny-thompson" class="sbn-auto-link">Johnny Thompson</a></p>
<p>36 - Danny Ezechukwu</p>
<p>51 - John Strauser</p>
<p>52 - Johnny Daniels (Defense, as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114154/henry-lorenzen" class="sbn-auto-link">Henry Lorenzen</a> wears it on offense)</p>
<p>55 - Antoine Miles</p>
<p>76 - Jason Tretter</p>
<p>80 - Deangelo Yancey</p>
<p>82 - Miles Norwood</p>
<p>93 -Ra'Zahn Howard</p>
<p>95 - Evan Panfil</p>
<p><b>Brandon Taylor is gone</b></p>
<p>Purdue did lose a potential starter on the defensive line as Brandon Taylor, a fifth year senior, is no longer with the team. Academics were cited as the issue, as the son of NFL Hall of Famer <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Lawrence Taylor</a> saw his <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/blog/eye-on-college-football/22872426/purdue-dt-brandon-taylor-no-longer-with-team">career come to a close early</a>.</p>
<p>It does clear up the scholarship situation, however, as Purdue was 1 over for the year. The scholarship grid is now updated with Drue Tranquill as well:</p>
<p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2960605/fbgrid72513.PNG"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2960605/fbgrid72513_medium.PNG" class="photo" alt="Fbgrid72513_medium"></a> <br id="1374779733515"></p>
<p><b>Who replaces </b><b>Taylor</b><b>?</b></p>
<p>As of now, it look like <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160187/ryan-watson" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Watson</a>, a sophomore and former 4-star recruit, will start next to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114161/bruce-gaston" class="sbn-auto-link">Bruce Gaston</a> on the defensive line. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114157/ryan-isaac" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Isaac</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135200/michael-rouse-iii" class="sbn-auto-link">Michael Rouse III</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77553/eric-mcdaniel" class="sbn-auto-link">Eric McDaniel</a> (whom Hope moved from defensive tackle, to o-line, and now back) will also play some. That means the starting defensive line looks like Watson, Gaston, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114163/ryan-russell" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Russell</a>, and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160186/greg-latta" class="sbn-auto-link">Greg Latta</a>.</p>
<p><b>Two more receivers</b></p>
<p>After losing out on some playing time at other positions both <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160165/bilal-marshall" class="sbn-auto-link">Bilal Marshall</a> and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114134/e-j-johnson" class="sbn-auto-link">E.J. Johnson</a> are moving to wide receiver. Marshall was the first of four QBs eliminated from the starting job and with David Blough coming next year it looks unlikely he would pass Danny Etling and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160163/austin-appleby" class="sbn-auto-link">Austin Appleby</a> as well as Blough.</p>
<p>Johnson is a player I really liked coming out of HS. I thought he would be a great ball-hawking safety after he won two state championships and had 8 picks as a junior. He never really seized the position at safety, however. He redshirted in 2010, played in four games as a reserve in 2011, and was a reserve in nine games last season. Now Purdue has young defensive backs and both <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114151/landon-feichter" class="sbn-auto-link">Landon Feichter</a> and Taylor Richards entrenched as starters.</p>
<p><b>Purdue has a ton of receivers</b></p>
<p>Whoever wins the QB battle will have a lot of competition at receiver. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77524/gary-bush" class="sbn-auto-link">Gary Bush</a> and Dolapo Macarthy appear to be penciled in as starters so far, but there are a ton of guys battling for playing time here. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135180/raheem-mostert" class="sbn-auto-link">Raheem Mostert</a>, Monteroso, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114139/charles-torwudzo" class="sbn-auto-link">Charles Torwudzo</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/170531/cameron-posey" class="sbn-auto-link">Cameron Posey</a>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160166/aloyis-gray" class="sbn-auto-link">Aloyis Gray</a>, Marshall, Johnson, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160169/danny-anthrop" class="sbn-auto-link">Danny Anthrop</a>, Deangelo Yancey, Norwood, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160183/b-j-knauf" class="sbn-auto-link">B.J. Knauf</a>, Shane Mikesky, and Jordan Woods give Purdue 15 scholarship receivers. Only Bush, Macarthy, Torwudzo, Anthrop, and Mikesky have caught a collegiate pass, however.</p>
<p>I think those five get a first look, while Monteroso seems like the most likely freshman to play and not redshirt. The battle can go on for awhile too, as Bush is the lone senior of the 15.</p>
<p><b>Better non-conference games?</b></p>
<p>I found this tweet very interesting:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Purdue&src=hash">#Purdue</a> coach Darrell Hazell on non-conf sked: "I want to see some marquee games that will bring people in."</p>
— GoldandBlack.com (@GoldandBlackcom) <a href="https://twitter.com/GoldandBlackcom/statuses/360425220013690880">July 25, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
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<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<p>Purdue, of course, has the ongoing series with Notre Dame, but even that is in danger with the nine-game Big Ten schedule coming in 2016. There certainly not any "wow" dates on the 2014 home non-conference schedule with Western Michigan, Central Michigan, and Southern Illinois. 2015 is at Marshall and home with Notre Dame, Indiana State, and Bowling Green.</p>
<p>It gets trickier in 2016 with only six home games (Cincinnati and Nevada in addition to four Big Ten games) and six road games (five Big Ten plus Notre Dame). Purdue makes up for it in 2017 with potentially eight home games. In addition to five Big Ten games at home, Eastern Kentucky and Notre Dame are currently scheduled with one spot open.</p>
<p>That 2017 is the first open slot Purdue has, but as we have seen, schedules can be negotiable. Purdue opened 2011 with Middle Tennessee State after Kent State backed out at the last minute (ironically, it would have been against Hazell). What happens with the Notre Dame series will also have an effect.</p>
<p>Purdue has had recent home-and-homes with Arizona, Oregon, Wake Forest, Rice, Toledo, Central Florida, North Carolina State, and West Virginia dating back to the mid-90's. I also remember California and Washington in the early 90's. Purdue went to Cincinnati in 2001 and was supposed to have a return game in 2004, but the Bearcats convinced Syracuse to come to Ross-Ade in their place when the moved the Big East.</p>
<p>Other than that the non-conference schedule has been a steady diet of the MAC and FCS teams. There was a scheduled home-and-home with Oklahoma State that was cancelled. There have also been discussions of Missouri (who is playing Indiana this year) and Kentucky. Purdue is probably going to have to get a lot better before getting a "wow" opponent to come in.</p>
<p>I can see a game like the Eastern Kentucky game being scrapped, as the Danny Hope connection is no longer there. One of the MAC games next year could possibly be moved too.</p>
<p>I loved the Oregon series because it was two great games and the Ducks do usually schedule a game like that even though they are much bigger now. I'd like to get a Pac-12 or a Big 12 series going, especially since the SEC is a bunch of pansies afraid to come north. Getting someone like Miami, North Carolina, or Virginia Tech from the ACC would also be nice.</p>
<p><b>The Quarterback </b><b>Battle</b></p>
<p>The biggest question I have been asked all summer is "Who will be the starting quarterback?" Personally, I have no idea. Coach Hazell did clarify that a decision would be made about two weeks before the Cincinnati game and there will be one guy that gets the job.</p>
<p>I will pause while everyone cheers for the end of the QB rotation.</p>
<p>Hazell went on to say it was down to Danny Etling and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77526/rob-henry" class="sbn-auto-link">Rob Henry</a>, with Austin Appleby still having an outside shot. Gun to my head, I think I would pick Henry. He is a senior and I think he gives Purdue its best chance to win immediately with his experience. We know he is good with his legs and he has reportedly gotten better with his accuracy. In limited throws last season his completion percentage went up and he only had one interception against three touchdowns.</p>
<p>The thing about Henry is that, as a running QB, he is more prone to injury. I can see him getting knocked out for a play or two and Etling coming in anyway. I have said all along that even if Etling wins the job I can see Henry taking the occasional snap in a "Wild Henry" role or lining up in the backfield as a receiver or running back.</p>
<p>There also might be a little bit of billy Dicken and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/7390/joey-elliott" class="sbn-auto-link">Joey Elliott</a> potential in Henry. Dicken took over in year 1 for Tiller and was a surprise all-Big Ten selection. Elliott had a solid year in 2009 (he wasn't the reason Purdue finished 5-7) and earned himself a CFL job. The last two coaching transitions have had a senior quarterback ready to play for the first time as THE guy in his career. I think Henry can be the third one.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/7/25/4557138/2013-big-ten-media-days-what-we-learnedBoilerTMill2013-07-24T14:45:29-04:002013-07-24T14:45:29-04:002013 Big Ten Media Days: Best Twitter Questions
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<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Big Ten Media Days had a lot of non-questions in Chicago. Twitter was far better.</p> <p>Almost every blog in the Big Ten Network here at SB Nation had its own version of what questions should have been asked at Big Ten Media Days. I had my own, as I tried to do one for each coach, while there are some others I had to share too:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Pat, WHO IS THE NORTHWESTERN BAGMAN? IS IT YOU, PAT? ARE YOU THE BAGMAN?"</p>
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) <a href="https://twitter.com/Champaign_Room/statuses/360054103214260224">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Coach Hazell is up next. Hoping <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks">@PaulMBanks</a> asks him where his mustache is.</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360054824676499456">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Coach Hazell, exactly what the fuck is a Purdue?"</p>
— The Champaign Room (@Champaign_Room) <a href="https://twitter.com/Champaign_Room/statuses/360056161799639042">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Somewhere Gary Nord is saying, "YOU'RE INSANE PLAYING JUST ONE QB, HAZELL!" <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23nordfense&src=hash">#nordfense</a></p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360058289867857920">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Coach Andersen, are you the former NFL kicker?"</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360060344758054912">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/B5Q">@B5Q</a> "I really enjoy it when he cradles me in the spoon position and tells me it will all be okay."</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360063489714298884">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/Adam_Jacobi">@Adam_Jacobi</a> "Coach Beckman, will your team's theme music this year be the Undertakers' 'Dead Man Walking?'"</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360064832877248513">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Coach Beckman 'Will do whatever is necessary to get better every day.' = Okay, please coach this season in a coonskin cap.</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360069888221528066">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Coach Wilson, how hard is it to stand there and talk about Indiana football with out breaking down sobbing about your plight?"</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360071283221868544">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/ourhonordefend">@ourhonordefend</a>: "Coach Wilson, did Tom Crean get you a 'back-to-back Sweet 16' ring?"</p>
— The Only Colors (@TheOnlyColors) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheOnlyColors/statuses/360072410189410304">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I will be very disappointed if Urban Meyer doesn't take the podium in Walter White's porkpie hat and announce he is in the empire business.</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360081882416807936">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>While Dantonio's speaking? Rude. RT <a href="https://twitter.com/Telegraph">@Telegraph</a>: We understand that the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23royalbaby&src=hash">#royalbaby</a>'s name will be announced within the next 15 minutes.</p>
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisVannini/statuses/360084591316439040">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Opening with Illinois for 5 straight years, what's that like Coach Pelini?" [Pelini pulls out party hat, kazoo, throws confetti, dances]</p>
— edsbs (@edsbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/edsbs/statuses/360084935119351808">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Coach Dantonio, does the new staff at <a href="https://twitter.com/MaizenBrew">@MaizenBrew</a> still think you're a vampire?"</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360086702498394113">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>RT <a href="https://twitter.com/Champaign_Room">@Champaign_Room</a>: While Urban is speaking hundreds of his former players are roaming the country committing violent crimes.</p>
— CornNation (@CornNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/CornNation/statuses/360089938198396928">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Coach Kill, why do you look like an actual Gopher?"</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360099247418388483">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Coach O'Brien: We have Mark Emmert right here. Would you like to punch him in the nuts?"</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360104227835625473">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>"Coach Ferentz: When did vanilla become too wild of a flavor for you and your offense?"</p>
— Travis Miller (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/statuses/360104746377416704">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script charset="utf-8" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Reporters graciously didn't let presser enter the final 2 minutes, where Ferentz would stutter, false start an answer, and eventually punt.</p>
— Patrick Vint (@HS_BHGP) <a href="https://twitter.com/HS_BHGP/statuses/360107484830117889">July 24, 2013</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/7/24/4553648/2013-big-ten-media-days-best-twitter-questionsBoilerTMill2013-07-24T14:26:50-04:002013-07-24T14:26:50-04:002013 Big Ten Media Days: Purdue Over/Under
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ztG0kvlreJXl48mTuBXnNZgGdDQ=/131x0:3867x2491/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/16842231/20120724_jel_sl8_173.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>If you think Purdue can make a bowl game in 2013 put some money on the over. </p> <p></p>
<p>Some of the early lines on the 2013 season are coming out and if you're a betting person Vegas seems to have more faith than the media in our Boilermakers. A media poll conducted by the Cleveland Plain Dealer has Purdue finishing fifth out of six in the Leaders Division,<a href="http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2013/07/ohio_state_buckeyes_overwhelmi.html"> topping only Illinois</a>.</p>
<p>Even worse, Indiana is picked as the most surprising team in the Big Ten with 13 votes. Purdue tied with Michigan State in this <a href="http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2013/07/indiana_expected_to_be_most_su.html">category with two votes</a>.</p>
<p>In terms of actual win predictions, Purdue is right on the cusp of a bowl. <a href="http://www.bovada.lv/">Bovada</a> has the Over/Under on Purdue wins at 5.5:</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/purdue-boilermakers">Purdue Boilermakers</a> </b></p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 5½ (+170)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 5½ (-250)</p>
<p>As far as the opponents of Purdue:</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - </b><b>Cincinnati</b><b> Bearcats </b></p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 9½ (+110)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 9½ (-140)</p>
<p>(No odds on Indiana State)</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/notre-dame-fighting-irish">Notre Dame Fighting Irish</a> </b></p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 8½ (-140)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 8½ (+110)</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - </b><b>Wisconsin</b><b> Badgers </b></p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 9 (-115)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 9 (-115)</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - </b><b>Northern Illinois</b><b> Huskies </b></p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 9½ (-175)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 9½ (+145)</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - </b><b>Nebraska</b><b> Cornhuskers </b></p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 9½ (EVEN)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 9½ (-130)</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - </b><b>Michigan</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> Spartans</b> </p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 8½ (-115)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 8½ (-115)</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - </b><b>Ohio</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> Buckeyes </b></p>
<p>Over 11 (+160)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 11 (-200)</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - </b><b>Iowa</b><b> Hawkeyes </b></p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 5½ (-150)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 5½ (+120)</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - </b><b>Penn</b><b> </b><b>State</b><b> Nittany Lions </b></p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 8 (EVEN)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 8 (-130)</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - </b><b>Illinois</b><b> Fighting Illini </b></p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 3½ (-130)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 3½ (EVEN)</p>
<p><b>2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - </b><b>Indiana</b><b> Hoosiers </b></p>
<p>Over <wbr></wbr> 5½ (-180)</p>
<p>Under <wbr></wbr> 5½ (+150)</p>
<p>Yikes. If Purdue is to win six games it must defeat at least four teams with equal or greater over/unders on wins in 2013. Only Indiana State (off the board as an FCS team) and Illinois could be called "expected wins"</p>
<p>Personally, I would take the over on Purdue as well as Northern Illinois, Nebraska, Penn State, and Indiana. I'd take the under on Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Ohio State, Iowa, and Illinois.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/7/24/4553578/2013-big-ten-football-purdue-odds-over-underBoilerTMill2013-07-24T12:44:06-04:002013-07-24T12:44:06-04:002013 Big Ten Media Days: Darrell Hazell Quotes
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<p>The media met Darrell Hazell today at his first Big Ten Media Days.</p> <p>One reason I am happy for Big Ten media Days is that I finally have access to some non-Kent State pictures of Darrell Hazell to use. Purdue's new coach was the second to speak for 15 minutes today, and he left myself and the media impressed. First of all, he is very happy to be at Purdue:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Good morning to everyone. Let me first start off by saying how proud I am and how much of a privilege it is to be standing here as the Boilermaker head football coach.<br><br> I've been here for about seven months. There's a few things I'm certain about. And one of those things is that Purdue is an excellent academic institution. We just popped into the top 50 in the world in academics, and there's 17,036 schools that we're compared against, and we're in the top 50. So we're an excellent academic institution. <br><br> Second, we have a coaching staff that I'm proud of and that they all have the vision to change Purdue football to where it needs to be. And I can't be more proud of my coaching staff. <br><br> And, third, we have a great group of young men who are committed to the cause and the cause is to make Purdue football special on the football field in 2013. So we're excited to get started next week. We open up practice on August 3rd and then we kick off the season against Cincinnati on August 31st, but I'm very excited to get started.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Good to see a focus on academics, especially after it was announced that potential starter Brandon Taylor will likely miss the season with an academic issue. Hazell was then asked about the coaching staff:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>One of the first things that I said to our team, very first team meeting on that Sunday night, was Purdue was always a team that's perceived in the middle of the Big Ten. Never up here, never down here. And I told them it's going to take a lot of work but we're going to climb ourselves out of the middle and we're going to put this program on national prominence for a long point in time.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Very good coach speak, as coach Hope said the same. You feel like there is at least a plan behind this, however.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I've spent seven years at Ohio State and Coach Tressel was a big influence on me, the way I do things today. There's a lot of great values and just his demeanor through the course of my time there was something that you can take from and the great decisions that he made on game day, when those bullets are flying, it's a chaotic moment. I learned a lot from Jim Tressel there at my seven years at Ohio State.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I like this. takeaway the scandals and Tressell is still the most dominant coach in the Big Ten and he owned the league for about a decade. Nothing wrong with replicating his style.</p>
<p>Next the offensive line was a focus:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>We evaluated the offensive line for 14 practices, and I think that from practice six on I thought they continually got better. We still have a lot of evaluation to do there. I think there's about seven or eight guys that I think that we can count on.</p>
<p>We have to be able to create some depth early in the season by putting those guys out there and because you know at some point in time we're going to lose a guy throughout the course of the season. We'll have to try to create some depth but I think there's enough capable bodies for us to be good. We're going to try to keep it as simple as we can, for those guys and the communication is absolutely critical, for those guys and it starts with our center, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/135196/robert-kugler" class="sbn-auto-link">Robert Kugler</a>.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Robert Kugler is one of the best young linemen on the team and started last year as a freshman. seeing him emerge as a leader is nice.</p>
<p>Coach Hazell was then asked about changing perception:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I think it all starts with your self-image. How we see ourselves. And that's where it all starts, because if you don't see yourselves as a champion, no one else is going to see yourselves as a champion. <br><br> And then you have to put the work in. Obviously we want to change our image. We want to be a tougher football team. We want to be a smarter football team and play with greater discipline.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>This is also good. discipline on and off the field was a problem under coach Hope. Hazell has already cleaned house a little with the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114133/o-j-ross" class="sbn-auto-link">O.J. Ross</a> situation. Discipline also led to the close losses to Notre Dame and Ohio State:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Well, there was a lot of close football games that Purdue lost, and we talked quite a bit in the spring about finishing football games. Everything you do you have to be able to finish. And I hope that the mindset of our coaches and what they've done and what they're continuing to do that we'll be able to finish games this fall.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>We all want to get out of mediocrity. Coach Hazell thinks it can happen soon:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>I'm very fortunate that I was able to be in this conference for seven years. So I know quite a bit about the conference. I'm not saying I know everything but I know quite a bit about the conference.</p>
<p>There's not a great difference between team one and the last team in the conference. What I do know is that the preparation that goes in and being able to get your A players to the game each and every week, then you've got a chance. And you've got to find a way in those critical situations to make a play. And I think we have enough good players to be able to make those plays.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I don't agree with the teams being that close because Illinois and Indiana are still in the league. He does think that solving our turnover issues will help:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>That's probably the number one component to losing football games is turning the football over. And everybody on our team is responsible for that, from the quarterback to the offensive line to the running backs to the defensive back who picks the ball off.</p>
<p>We have a great responsibility to Purdue football to take care of the football. That was one of the key emphasis on turning this program around.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Then there was the inevitable quarterback question, as it looks like it is down to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77526/rob-henry" class="sbn-auto-link">Rob Henry</a> and Danny Etling:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>We have a nice quarterback battle going on. We have a senior in Rob Henry, and Danny Etling, a true freshman that came in. Competed extremely hard. A third guy that can get himself back in the mix with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160163/austin-appleby" class="sbn-auto-link">Austin Appleby</a>. But we'll give them equal reps. One guy will run with the ones in one group, in one drill, and the next drill the other guy will run with the ones. And in about two weeks after we start practice, we'll make a decision and have that guy have ownership of our football team going into our first game. <br><br>And I think it's obviously critically important because number one component for that guy is to take care of the football. Number two is to get us in the right place, number three to be tough enough to stand in there on third and five and take a shot. And we need a big play.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>NO MORE ROTATIONS! It does look like <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160165/bilal-marshall" class="sbn-auto-link">Bilal Marshall</a> is out of the QB derby, however. Henry might be hte guy that starts the turnaround like Billy Dicken did all those years ago:</p>
<p>You know, we made small changes since we've been there. And anytime you can Foster morale within guys, I think it supports the things that you're doing and the direction that you're heading. So anytime we can make small changes, whether it's a visual change, whether it's a pat on the back, I think those are the things that will help you win football games in the long run. <br><br>I thought the maturity of our football team, when you bring guys in and they handle the situations that are going to happen throughout the course of a year that you can't plan on, when you have a mature football team, that's when you know you've got a chance.</p>
<p>Finally, there was more of how he built his coaching style at Ohio State:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The way I live my life -- and this is a true statement -- is I try to do the best possible job wherever I am for that particular day. Whatever happens from that point on it happens. So did I say I was going to be at Purdue or Michigan State or Ohio State, I didn't think about those things but I took notes from all those smart people I was around and I accumulated a file of those things that I think that can help us win championships. <br><br>But I'm so happy to be back here in the conference. I think this is a phenomenal conference with great coaches and great pageantry, and a lot of excitement in the stadium. So it's a pleasure to be back in this conference.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>that sounds great. We have a coach now accountable for himself and the players are on board. Choo Choo, muthas (as Boiled Sports would say.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/7/24/4553068/2013-big-ten-media-days-darrell-hazell-quotesBoilerTMill2013-07-24T09:47:21-04:002013-07-24T09:47:21-04:00Purdue At 2013 Big Ten Media Days Open Thread
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<figcaption>Reid Compton-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Darrell Hazell makes his Big Ten debut in Chicago today.</p> <p>It is the first of two Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Today will be the easier one to cover since almost everything will be live on Big Ten Network and ESPNU. Where I will miss being there is tomorrow, when the roundtable interviews take place.</p>
<p>SBNation has boots on the ground today with an excellent liveblog up:</p>
<p><iframe style="width: 100%; height: 477px;" src="http://live.sbnation.com/big-ten-media-days/iframe.html" frameborder="0"></iframe> Coach Hazell bats second today at 11am just after Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern. So far the biggest storyline concerning Purdue is the big commitments in recruiting he has already gotten. David Blough, Gelen Robinson, and Drue Tranquill are all four-star commitments by at least one recruiting service. This is a big surprise to many. During Danny Hope's entire tenure the only four-stars he had were <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/114133/o-j-ross">O.J. Ross</a> (left early due to suspension), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/5136/robert-marve">Robert Marve</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160160/carlos-carvajal">Carlos Carvajal</a> (has not played yet and is coming off of redshirt), <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/160187/ryan-watson">Ryan Watson</a> (played sparingly last year), Al-Terek McBurse (transferred after two years of little impact), and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37538/ken-plue">Ken Plue</a> (left early after suspension).</p>
<p>Feel free to comment here during Coach Hazell's comments (or anyone else's for that matter). I will have a later post once his 15 minutes are done at the podium with his full quotes.</p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2013/7/24/4552496/purdue-at-2013-big-ten-media-days-liveblogBoilerTMill