Hammer and Rails - Central Michigan at Purdue 2014Purdue's Okayest Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52787/Hammer_And_Rails_favicon..png2014-09-08T13:53:21-04:00http://www.hammerandrails.com/rss/stream/58560222014-09-08T13:53:21-04:002014-09-08T13:53:21-04:00The Whistlestop Tour: Week 2 In Big Ten Football
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<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>In short, it was ugly. </p> <p>In short, it was ugly. If you haven't read Adam Jacobi's piece <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/9/8/6118491/big-ten-football-BIIIG-TEEEN-FOOTBALLL">on the Big Ten's Saturday</a>, you should. Here was the final tally:</p>
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<li> The Big Ten went 8-5, with Indiana probably looking the best. Indiana did not play a single down. </li>
<li> The MAC walked into West Lafayette and Evanston and won without too much difficulty. </li>
<li> The MAC nearly won in Iowa City and pushed Penn State in State College. </li>
<li> Nebraska, Illinois, Iowa, and Maryland each won games that were far too close. </li>
<li> The conference went 0-3 in the "name" matchups, losing by a combined 64 points to Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, and Oregon. </li>
<li> Again, INDIANA LOOKED LIKE THE BEST TEAM. INDIANA!</li>
</ul>
<p>Our SB Nation blogs had quite a bit to say:</p>
<p><b>Central Michigan 38, Purdue 17</b></p>
<p>You're heard me rant about this enough, <a href="http://boiledsports.com/2014/salty-chips-smash-overmatched-boilers.html">so let's go to Boiled Sports</a>:</p>
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<p>So while their 1-1 record is what I thought it would be at this point, I didn't think that one of their "<i>easier</i>" contests would be a lambasting. Small problems that looked correctable a week ago versus a bad opponent suddenly look monumental as they prepare for a better team, Notre Dame, in Indianapolis. From what I've seen, UND's uniforms for the game will look like Kent State's...and while I thought playing a team dressed like a MAC opponent might help Purdue's psyche, now I know that Purdue will be seeing a MAC team in its collective nightmares.</p>
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<p><b>Illinois 42, Western Kentucky 34</b></p>
<p>The argument is that if Illinois did not have Wes Lunt it would be 0-2. The transfer from Oklahoma State has certainly been the difference so far for the Illini, though they are about as shaky of <a href="http://www.thechampaignroom.com/2014/9/6/6114833/game-recap-roller-coaster-ing-illinois-fighting-illini-win-western-kentucky">a 2-0 team as you can be</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>Wes Lunt</span> had a phenomenal day, passing for 456 yards hitting 35 of 50 passes including 3 touchdowns and 1 interception. This guy is going to be a hoot to watch while he's here, but he's still got work to do. At times, he'll be impatient, trying to fit his passes into tight coverage. He again and again displays the arm strength -- there doesn't seem to be a player his passes can't reach, but accurately hitting those receivers isn't always guaranteed. He's young, so I'm not expecting him to be flawless, but he's got so much potential that I can't help but imagine what he could be someday.</p>
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<p><b>Nebraska 31, McNeese State 24</b></p>
<p>Corn Nation out there in Nebraska near had a full-fledged riot before <span>Ameer Abdullah</span> saved them with a final minute TD. This is a team that was supposed to be the class of the West, <a href="http://www.cornnation.com/2014/9/6/6114915/nebraska-huskers-football-postgame-mcneese-state-ameer-abdullah-thank-you-sweet-baby">but it nearly dropped a home game to an FCS team</a>:</p>
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<p>With less than a minute to go, the <a href="https://www.cornnation.com/">Nebraska Cornhuskers</a> were tied with the McNeese State Cowboys at 24, and it looked like the FCS contenders were going to take one of the faves for the Big Ten Conference to overtime. Then, with a simple out route from <span>Tommy Armstrong Jr</span>, Abdullah took a pass, shed at least 5 tackles, and got the ball in the endzone 58 yards from where the play started to give Nebraska a 31-24 victory against the Cowboys.</p>
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<p><b>Rutgers 38, Howard 25</b></p>
<p>This was not much of a game, as Rutgers was comfortably ahead 31-7 at halftime. It sounds like the second half was a little sloppy, but Rutgers is still 2-0, which is <a href="http://www.onthebanks.com/2014/9/6/6115857/rutgers-football-game-2-recap">better than a good portion of the league</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>With a 31-7 lead at half and all the momentum in their back pockets, Rutgers looked ready to cruise towards a serious blowout. With just one second half touchdown however, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blackandgoldbanneret.com/">Knights</a> let Howard back into the game by allowing 18 points in the third and fourth quarters on 296 yards of offense.</p>
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<p><b>Penn State 21, Akron 3</b></p>
<p>A 21-3 game is probably one of the most boring types of games. Your defense is dominant, but your offense is struggling to the point where you're never totally safe. This is true with the Nittany Lions, who were <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/9/7/6117263/penn-state-football-akron-bowden-hackenberg-franklin-mac">only up 7-3 late in the third</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The home opener was, in many ways, the polar opposite of the season opener across the pond; though the score was more lopsided than <a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/8/31/6088307/hey-wha-happen-penn-state-26-ucf-24-croke-park-classic-christian-hackenberg-record-james-franklin" target="_blank">last week's victory over the UCF Knights</a>, somehow it seemed more in doubt the entire time. The stats weren't there. There wasn't the complete domination on both sides, the ability to move the ball at will despite not putting it in the endzone, that our offense showed in Dublin.</p>
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<p><b>Wisconsin 37, Western Illinois 3</b></p>
<p>The Badgers blew this game open after leading only 2-0 for most of the first half. It was the passing game <a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2014/9/6/6114373/wisconsin-western-illinois-score-recap-tanner-mcevoy-michael-caputo-alex-erickson-sam-arneson">that did most of the damage</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Surprisingly, the Badgers' passing game was more effective than their rushing attack. The Badgers totaled 456 total yards in the game, with 289 passing and 167 rushing. <span>Corey Clement</span> led the team with 57 rushing yards, while McEvoy finished the game with 55 rushing yards, Gordon ended with 38 yards on 17 carries. Arneson and Erickson emerged as the Badgers' two leading receiving targets, with Erickson catching 10 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, and Arneson catching four passes for 87 yards.</p>
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<p><b>Northern Illinois 23, Northwestern 15</b></p>
<p>Northern Illinois is the best team in the state of Illinois. This is a fact. They have won more Big Ten games (3) than Illinois and Northwestern combined (2) in the past two seasons. At 0-2 the Wildcats are <a href="http://www.insidenu.com/northwestern-wildcats-football/2014/9/6/6116327/northwesterns-loses-northern-illinois">looking very disjointed</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>You can try to find reasons to be optimistic. You can tell yourself that this 0-2 start is an aberration or a minor setback or the product of bad luck. You can read quotes from players or point out seemingly <a href="https://twitter.com/insidenu/status/508394972786479104" target="_blank">fixable</a> things like "character and poise" and believe that the Wildcats are going to turn their season around. Or you can look at how Northwestern has played since last year's Ohio State loss and conclude that the program is in a free fall.</p>
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<p><b>Minnesota 35, Middle Tennessee State 24</b></p>
<p>Much like last week, the Golden Gophers built a big lead only to let the opponent creep back in during the second half. There are still questions in the passing game, but the <a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2014/9/6/6115263/minnesota-football-david-cobb-carries-gophers-middle-tennessee-state-35-24">running game remains strong</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><span>David Cobb</span> had a career day rushing the ball. At the half the senior had 113 yards and a touchdown with a 7.9 yard average. By the end of the third quarter he had set a new career high with 192 yards on 24 carries and another touchdown, this one for 48 yards. Cobb's 220 yards for the game was the 12th most in Gopher history and the most since Lawrence Maroney back in 2005.</p>
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<p><b>Iowa 17, Ball State 13</b></p>
<p>Ball State deserved to win this game, but went conservative on offense and the defense gave up two touchdown drives at the end after a solid day. As a Purdue fan I feel their pain. Ball State was the better team for most of the day only to blow it in the end. That's <a href="http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2014/9/8/6120451/iowa-ball-state-2014-recap-analysis">happened to Purdue far too often</a>:</p>
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<p>If Iowa goes -16 against anyone on its Big Ten schedule, it's almost certainly going to lose. The talent disparity won't be there to bail Iowa out against its peers in recruiting, and even bottom-feeders like Illinois, Purdue and Indiana have quarterbacks who are capable of punishing a still-green Iowa back seven better than Ozzie Effin' Football did.</p>
<p id="paragraph5">Or, to put it all more bluntly: that kind of game won't beat anybody in the Big Ten. Either Iowa gets better or Iowa goes 0-8. That's your main takeaway.</p>
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<p><b>Maryland 24, South Florida 17</b></p>
<p>The Terrapins struggled way too much against an awful team like South Florida. Of course, giving up six <a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/2014/9/6/6114849/maryland-south-florida-football-game-final-score">turnovers will do that</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Kenneth Goins blocked a fourth-quarter punt, which was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by <span>Avery Thompson</span>, to rescue Maryland from a less-than-lackluster showing Saturday at Raymond James Stadium, where the Terps survived South Florida, 24-17.</p>
<p id="paragraph2">A win is a win, of course, but it was a day where the good news barely served as a blip on the radar against a tidal wave of trouble signs in a turnover-plagued performance against a two-touchdown underdog in an empty stadium.</p>
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<p><b>Oregon 46, Michigan State 27 </b></p>
<p>Is there such a thing as a hard-fought 19 point loss? I watched most of this game and it seemed to have three acts. Oregon dominated the first and third act, while Michigan State dominated the second. It is far from a bad loss and if the teams played again you could <a href="http://www.theonlycolors.com/2014/9/6/6116129/instant-reactions-no-7-michigan-state-no-3-oregon">get a completely different result</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>With the Spartans up 27-18 in the third quarter and on the verge of forcing Mariota into another three -and-out, the Heisman candidate eluded the grasp of linebacker <span>Darien Harris</span> before eventually leading the Ducks on a scoring drive to cut their deficit to 27-25 after finding <span>Devon Allen</span> for a 23-yard score with 4:33 left in the third.</p>
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<p><b>Notre Dame 31, Michigan 0</b></p>
<p>Michigan had gone a record 30 years since getting shutout, but that streak is done. The Irish made them pay for every mistake <a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/9/8/6117609/michigan-notre-dame-2014-mistakes-pressure-and-everett-golson">and now Michigan is on fire</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Every loss in football is in some part due to missed opportunities. Teams try and fail all the time, and the narrative arc of most games lends itself well to second guessing those critical moments.</p>
<p id="paragraph1">That being said, I don't know if I can remember another single half of a Michigan game that was chock full of as many missed opportunities and bad breaks as the first half was against Notre Dame. Just glancing over the box score and play by play I came up with a short list of pivotal moments in which Michigan tried and failed.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Virginia Tech 35, Ohio State 21</b></p>
<p>This was easily the most surprising result of the day. Virginia Tech wasn't supposed to have much of an offense and the OSU defense is always supposed to be good, but the Hokies walked into the ‘shoe and simply pushed OSU <a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/9/6/6116279/virginia-tech-ohio-state-game-final-score-2014-recap">around for over three hours</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Hokies' defense was even better than advertised, and if they can manage to stay healthy through conference play, give VT a real chance in the ACC's wide open Coastal division. The Buckeyes, on the other hand, still in many ways have more questions than answers. They have all the talent in the world, and with Michigan State outed as a bit shy of their 2013 predecessors earlier in the day, a puncher's chance in the Big Ten East. But the Buckeyes overall are still a work in progress in too many areas of consequence to feel any real sense of optimism.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><b>Purdue's other non-conference opponents:</b></p>
<p><b>Western Michigan - </b>ON BYE</p>
<p><b>Southern Illinois 38, Eastern Illinois 21 - </b>This was an <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?id=400557459">impressive win for the Salukis</a> against one of the Final Four FCS teams last year. EIU also played Minnesota tough in week 1.</p>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2014/9/8/6122413/the-whistlestop-tour-week-2-in-big-ten-footballBoilerTMill2014-09-07T11:00:03-04:002014-09-07T11:00:03-04:00Central Michigan at Purdue: In Tweets
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<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>As always, the internet was vociferous about Purdue's latest loss. </p> <p>Naturally, there was a lot to say yesterday when it came to the loss to Central Michigan:</p>
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<p>PICK SIX OH MY GOD I JUST STOOD UP AND YELLED AT WORK! GOOD THING THERE IS NOBODY ELSE HERE!</p>
— Rovitz (@Rovitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rovitz/status/508287093593083904">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>Purdue, Rutgers and Nebraska are all losing right now, to Central Michigan, Howard, and McNeese State. BIG TEN FOOTBALL FEVER! CATCH IT!</p>
— <span>Matt Brown</span> (@MattSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattSBN/status/508288306359320576">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>Target for Etling that coach Hazell brought into the practice field this week. <a href="http://t.co/01Xg9AiHkf">pic.twitter.com/01Xg9AiHkf</a></p>
— Not Matt Painter (@NotMattPainter) <a href="https://twitter.com/NotMattPainter/status/508289305631289345">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>And Purdue sucks again. That was a fun first week.</p>
— Riles (@Riles23) <a href="https://twitter.com/Riles23/status/508290535346282496">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>Defense looking bad. Offense looking bad. That's a combination like peanut butter and chocolate.</p>
— Jumbo Heroes (@jumboheroes) <a href="https://twitter.com/jumboheroes/status/508290637293420544">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>I'm just laughing. I'm just laughing. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/purdue?src=hash">#purdue</a></p>
— #MintShampoo (@M_insanity) <a href="https://twitter.com/M_insanity/status/508290658655035392">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails">@HammerAndRails</a> APPLEBY. Just Do It and get it over with. Rip off the bandaid. Don't do it slowly. Be decisive.</p>
— Suzy Kull (@suzykq5) <a href="https://twitter.com/suzykq5/status/508293342460141568">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>Sigh RT <a href="https://twitter.com/celebrityhottub">@celebrityhottub</a> People worrying about CDC treating people for ebola when we’ve got Purdue just out in the open. Priorities, people.</p>
— Boiled Sports (@BoiledSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoiledSports/status/508294537010483200">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>Personal foul. Playing football. On the defense.</p>
— Ross MacLochness (@RossMacLochness) <a href="https://twitter.com/RossMacLochness/status/508298814386876416">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>Purdue has won the coin toss and elected to receive, go three and out, and proceed to shit all over themselves for the rest of the game.</p>
— Not Matt Painter (@NotMattPainter) <a href="https://twitter.com/NotMattPainter/status/508303556483772416">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails">@HammerAndRails</a> is it too early to start thinking about how much money we would have to pay Sumlin to coach this team?</p>
— Jacob Pasch (@pasch_tag) <a href="https://twitter.com/pasch_tag/status/508307558541426688">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>Only in the Big Ten does every team look tremendously incompetent in the same week. That’s unity the Big East would have killed for.</p>
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) <a href="https://twitter.com/celebrityhottub/status/508305440707739649">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails">@HammerAndRails</a> if MBB isn't better this year i am going to cut someone...</p>
— Chris Flory (@cflory42) <a href="https://twitter.com/cflory42/status/508303635609292800">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails">@HammerAndRails</a> So...not the Detroit Lions.</p>
— Rovitz (@Rovitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rovitz/status/508314388366131200">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>At no point did I believe any of my Purdue teams were more talented than any team we played...ND, Oregon, O state, Mich, State... Competed!</p>
— <span>Albert Evans</span> (@JustAlbertEvans) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustAlbertEvans/status/508319242358648833">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>As <a href="https://twitter.com/BeneathThePaint">@BeneathThePaint</a> said this team is driving people to apathy. I'm just exhausted already and it's only game two.</p>
— Jumbo Heroes (@jumboheroes) <a href="https://twitter.com/jumboheroes/status/508322224852717569">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>The "Big Ten" is now looking to trade Purdue on Craigslist: <a href="http://t.co/WrrIDw09we">http://t.co/WrrIDw09we</a></p>
— <span>Matt Brown</span> (@MattSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattSBN/status/508323544724701184">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>This is the lowest I've seen <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Purdue?src=hash">#Purdue</a>. And I sat through two Jim Colletto years! <a href="https://twitter.com/BoilerFootball">@BoilerFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails">@HammerAndRails</a></p>
— Troy Stiffler (@TroyStiffler) <a href="https://twitter.com/TroyStiffler/status/508323333562068992">September 6, 2014</a>
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<p>I feel sorry for you having to write a game wrap up <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails">@HammerAndRails</a></p>
— Jake A (@BoilermakerAust) <a href="https://twitter.com/BoilermakerAust/status/508329097676984321">September 6, 2014</a>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2014/9/7/6116441/central-michigan-at-purdue-in-tweetsBoilerTMill2014-09-06T22:27:18-04:002014-09-06T22:27:18-04:00Central Michigan 38, Purdue 17: Ugh
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<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After a step forward last week Purdue fell backwards about 25 feet. </p>
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<p>All that positive momentum from last week? Yeah. It's gone.</p>
<p>Nothing went right for Purdue today. Time and again, Central Michigan tried to hand the ballgame to Purdue. They were missing their top offensive player and the backup punter/kicker, who probably was prepared to do absolutely nothing today, kept shanking punt after punt (when we managed to force them to punt) to give Purdue good field position. There were other mistakes by the Chippewas too, but it did not matter. Purdue had more, and in more critical situations too.</p>
<p>Here is the full list.</p>
<ul class="unIndentedList">
<li> Purdue commits a holding penalty on a nice return by <span>Frankie Williams</span> after the first punt. It would have given the Boilers the ball in Central Michigan territory for our second drive, but pushed everything back. </li>
<li> <span>Brandon Greer</span> gets a 57-yard pick six off of an underthrown ball by Etling. For the record, his receiver did him no favors to come back and fight for the ball. </li>
<li> Following a 65-yard pass from <span>Cooper Rush</span> to <span>Anthony Rice</span> for a TD to make it 14-0 Purdue has another hold on the kickoff return, forcing the drive to start at the CMU 9 instead of midfield. </li>
<li> After cutting the lead to 14-7 thanks to a nice, lengthy drive Frankie Williams is ejected on a questionable targeting call that is held up upon review. To me it looked like Williams started to hold up, but Purdue's top player in the secondary and dynamic punt returner is tossed. It also leads to a quick score to put the lead back to 14. </li>
<li> The largest mistake came with under 3 minutes to play. Purdue went for it on 4<sup>th</sup> and 1 and converted on a nice run from Raheem Mostert. Unfortunately, the Boilers had 12 men on the field. Instead of having a first down around the 20 and a chance to cut the lead in half just before halftime Purdue had to settle for a 47-yard field goal attempt that <span>Paul Griggs</span> missed. This was absolutely huge. If Purdue manages a touchdown here it completely changes the timbre of the rest of the game. </li>
<li> Purdue has the ugliest 3-and-out ever that included a fumble recovery/pass completion to <span>J.J. Prince</span> after getting the ball at midfield a minute before halftime. </li>
<li> <span>Antoine Lewis</span> sacks Cooper Rush and instead of falling on the ball, the defense kicks the ball around trying to get the scoop and score. CMU recovers and punts. Purdue gets a field goal after the punt, but a recovery around the 10 on the first series in the second half would have been huge. At least the 21-yard punt return by <span>B.J. Knauf</span> was not negated by a penalty. </li>
<li> On the very first play after the field goal Purdue commits a 15-yard penalty after a 14-yard play. CMU gains 29 yards in one play and makes it 28-10 a few plays later as a result. </li>
<li> Mostert converts a 4<sup>th</sup> and 3, but fumbles after the reception. CMU recovers. Had Mostert not fumbled Purdue has the ball around the CMU 30 with about 5 minutes left in the third and has a chance to score. CMU got a field goal afterwards to make it 31-10. </li>
<li> Down 31-10, Etling underthrows another pass that is picked off. He had a number of bad throws today, but this was his last chance, early in the 4<sup>th</sup> quarter, to rectify things and make a play. The likelihood of a comeback was still small, but possible before this throw. It ended the game. </li>
</ul>
<p>So there you have it. That's 10 critical mistakes where it was all Purdue's fault. The Chips played well in that they did not make mistakes. Yes, it was concerning that <span>Thomas Rawls</span> ran for 155 yards, scored two TDs, and had another 50 yards through the air, but much of that came after the game we well in Central's favor. It was not as much of a factor as the 10 Purdue mistakes listed above.</p>
<p>For the second straight season Purdue was dominated at home by a MAC team. With all due respect to Central Michigan, at least Northern Illinois last year was one of the best MAC teams ever. CMU was 6-6 last year and struggled to get there. They were played harder by Chattanooga last week, a middling SoCon team that is about as far from the Big Ten as you can get. Purdue had a chance to build on the momentum, something that Darrell Hazell talked about since he was hired, and it failed miserably in doing so.</p>
<p>Which brings us to coach Hazell. Look, I like the guy. I mean, I really like the guy and what he is trying to implement. He is saying all the right things and is not at least trying to roll a line of bullshit like the previous staff. Unfortunately, we're 14 games in and what do we have to show for it? We're about the ugliest 2-12 you can be in that time. We have beaten an awful FCS team, a bad MAC team, and we have looked good for what, three quarters against Notre Dame? That's what we're hanging the entire program on right now.</p>
<p>I recognize that we're playing a ridiculous amount of freshmen and sophomores, but when those freshmen and sophomores are not just losing to MAC teams, but getting blown out, it is disconcerting at best. Hazell seems like a guy that would be great if we had the luxury of giving him 6-7 years to slowly build a program. That's not allowed in modern college football, however. You get one year to suck, one year to at least show improvement, and if you look s bad as Purdue has so far in both of those, your days are numbered. At this point, can we expect a huge turn around in year three when <span>Danny Etling</span> has regressed and we get a much tougher non-conference schedule of at Marshall and home against Virginia Tech next season?</p>
<p>I really hope this is a big step back to have Hazell light a fire underneath this team before the game in Indy next week against Notre Dame. Maybe I am wrong and Purdue finally clicks next week to stun the Irish. I am a realist though. We just got pantsed at home by a team that 10 out of the other 13 teams in the Big Ten would handle with ease. As you can see above, it is not like Central Michigan did anything extraordinary to beat us, either. They sat back, waited for us to screw up, and took full advantage. That makes the rest of the season, against far better teams, look pretty dismal.</p>
<p>I don't want to be totally negative, however. In the area of small bright spots:</p>
<p><b>Ja'Whaun Bentley - </b>The kid is going to be a stud for us. He plays like a linebacker should. Can we clone him? He actually tries to hit people instead of standing there and dancing with them like I saw from Sean Robinson, Williams, and others today.</p>
<p><b>Austin Appleby</b> - Well, people got to see him, but he is not the savior. We have far bigger issues than a simple QB change can solve.</p>
<p><b>Dolapo Macarthy - </b>Play him more. That is all.</p>
<p></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2014/9/6/6116149/central-michigan-38-purdue-17-ughBoilerTMill2014-09-06T10:00:03-04:002014-09-06T10:00:03-04:00Central Michigan at Purdue: GAMETHREAD
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<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Chat about Purdue's Saturday of football hosting Central Michigan.</p> <p><br>Once again, I am in attendance, so most of my action will be on Twitter. Following along at @HammerAndRails if you want to hear my inane rantings as the game goes on. I am expecting a solid contest today, but Purdue should be able to come through. It looks like the Chips are going to be without <span>Titus Davis</span>, and as I have said all week,t hat greatly helps Purdue.</p>
<p>Here is all your important info for today.</p>
<table class="sbn-data-table" border="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><p><strong>Stadium</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ross%E2%80%93Ade_Stadium">Ross Ade Stadium (built 1924)</a></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><p><strong>Capacity</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>57,236</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><p><strong>Surface</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>Grass</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><p><strong>Tickets</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong><u><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stubhub.com%2Fpurdue-football-tickets%2Fpurdue-vs-central-michigan-9-6-2014-8990600%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hammerandrails.com%2F2014%2F9%2F6%2F6110871%2Fcentral-michigan-at-purdue-gamethread" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">As Low As $10.44 on StubHub</a> </u><a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stubhub.com%2Fwisconsin-football-tickets%2Fwisconsin-vs-purdue-9-21-2013-4186053%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hammerandrails.com%2F2014%2F9%2F6%2F6110871%2Fcentral-michigan-at-purdue-gamethread" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><br> </a><a href="http://ev9.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AIBM%3AF14%3AF01%3A&linkID=purdue&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=&appCode=&groupCode=FB&cgc=">Purdue has some as low at $5</a></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><p><strong>Kickoff Time</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>Noon</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><p><strong>TV</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>ESPNNEWS</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><p><strong>Online Streaming</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong><a href="http://espn.go.com/watchespn">WatchESPN</a></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><p><strong>Satellite Radio</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong><u>XM Station 192, SIRI 134</u></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><p><strong>Odds</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong><a href="http://www.oddsshark.com/ncaaf/central-michigan-purdue-odds-september-6-2014">Purdue by 2.5</a></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><p><strong>All-Time Series</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>Purdue leads 5-0</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><p><strong>Last Purdue Win</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>32-25 on 9/20/2008</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><p><strong>Last Central Michigan Win</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>None</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><p><strong>Blog Representation</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong><a href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/">The Hustle Belt</a></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><p><strong>Weather</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong><a href="http://www.wunderground.com/sports/CFB/team/Purdue:Boilermakers.html?bannertypeclick=sports_football_cond"><img src="http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/banner/ban/wxBanner?teamtype=CFB&team=Purdue%3ABoilermakers&bannertype=ncaa_football_cond" alt="Click for full game report!" border="0"></a></strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><p><strong>2013 Central Michigan Record</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>6-6, 5-3</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><p><strong>2013 Central Michigan Postseason </strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>None</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-even"> <td><p><strong>Coach</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>Dan Enos (20-30)</strong></p></td> </tr> <tr class="ui-state-odd"> <td><p><strong>Is T-Mill Attending?</strong></p></td> <td><p><strong>Yes!</strong></p></td> </tr> </tbody></table>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2014/9/6/6110871/central-michigan-at-purdue-gamethreadBoilerTMill2014-09-05T12:41:03-04:002014-09-05T12:41:03-04:00Central Michigan at Purdue: H&R Staff Picks
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<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The staff of Hammer & Rails makes it pick for tomorrow. </p> <p>Once again, we're doing picks from the members of the Hammer & Rails staff here as week 2 gets underway in less than 24 hours.</p>
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<p><b>Juan Crespo</b></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">If we can continue running the ball as well as we did against WMU, and if Etling can make better throws, we should be in good shape for most of the game. The main problem is that the defense needs to buckle down and actually stop the opponent's offense. Seriously, I think even University Place's Senior Citizen team could have scored a few touchdowns against Pur_ue last week (see what I did there?). The WMU game should have been over in the 3rd quarter, but the defense almost blew it in the 4th. I don't think Hunt or Mostert will have as big of a game this week, Etling should be better, and I hope the defense can at least stop a nose bleed. Once again, Purdue will need to wrap this up in the 4th quarter to seal the deal in a not-so pretty win, but at least they will double last year's win total and give us our first winning streak since 2012.</p>
<p><b>Purdue 34, Central Michigan 28</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>Drew Schneider</b></p>
<p>Purdue continues its surprise run to a final 4 spot in the inaugural college football tournament on Saturday. As I mentioned last weekend, a team does not just into Ross Ade at noon and leave with a victory. The sun will be high in the sky and the throbbing of the world's biggest drum will be reverberating through the Chips ears as they enter the field and gaze into the sea of Black and Gold packing the stands. The fans, full to the brim with bloody mary's and mimosa's after a full morning of tailgating will be frothing from the mouth and screaming for blood, and Purdue football will oblige. <b>Purdue 34, Central Michigan 17</b></p>
<p><b>Andrew Zimmerman</b></p>
<p>I expect an ugly game on Saturday, with the winner coming out on top of the turnover and special teams battles. Both quarterbacks could have tough days, but if Purdue can establish the run early, limit turnovers, and continue to overachieve on special teams, they will come out victorious. I really, really, really want to see a much improved run defense and better offensive line play. Another big day from <span>Frankie Williams</span> wouldn't hurt, either. <b>Purdue 27, Central Michigan 17</b></p>
<p><b>Rachel Van Gessel</b></p>
<p>Central Michigan is tougher than Western Michigan, and Purdue will have to play better if they are going to win Saturday. Our wide receiver corp will pick up the slack this week. Etling will make it a little easier for them by making better throws. On the other side of the ball we will actually slow down the Chippewas run game. <b>Purdue 27, Central Michigan 21</b></p>
<p><b>Thomas Chapman</b></p>
<p>Central Michigan barely eeked out a win against FCS Chatanooga last week, giving up 148 yards on the ground to the #13 FCS school. I'd expect another big day out of Mostert and Hunt. The Boilers cover the spread and win. <b>Purdue 38, Central Michigan 28</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>T-Mill</b></p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p>If Purdue is going to be competitive at all in the Big Ten this season it has to win this game. It sets the stage for at minimum a 3-1 start, which can provide a boost of much needed confidence for this program as a whole. It really is an important game because a loss feels like it would be a huge step back simply based on perception. Decent Big Ten teams take care of their MACtion, and I think Purdue finds a way. <b>Purdue 31, Central Michigan 24</b></p>
<p></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2014/9/5/6110841/central-michigan-at-purdue-h-r-staff-picksBoilerTMill2014-09-05T10:00:06-04:002014-09-05T10:00:06-04:00Week 2 Big Ten Football Preview
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<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Indiana has the week off, but the other 13 B1G teams are in action. </p> <p>Week 1 must have been exhausting for our neighbors to the south, as beating the Mighty Trees of Indiana State has earned the Hoosiers a much-needed bye week in week 2. There are still 13 games involving B1G schools this week, including the very intriguing Oregon-Michigan State game that kicks off in the early evening Saturday night. That is easily the best game of the week.</p>
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<p><b>Western Kentucky (1-0) at Illinois (1-0) Noon, BTN</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thechampaignroom.com/2014/9/4/6097467/behind-enemy-lines-western-kentucky-illinois-football-week-two"><b>The Champaign Room Preview</b></a></p>
<p>Are the Fighting Illini in trouble? The Hilltoppers easily beat MAC favorite Bowling Green last week and had a quarterback throw for six touchdowns. Illinois struggled to beat Youngstown State. This could get very ugly, as the WKU quarterback threw for 569 yards and six scores last week. Illinois has not exactly been known for its defense in recent seasons, either. <b>Western Kentucky 35, Illinois 31</b></p>
<p><b>McNeese State (0-0) at Nebraska (1-0) Noon, ESPNU</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.cornnation.com/2014/9/3/6100135/reviewing-the-mcneese-state-cowboys"><b>Corn Nation Preview</b></a></p>
<p>Judging by the first two opponents for the Cornhuskers it is apparent that the Washington Generals do not have a football team. McNeese State rocked South Florida last season and made the FCS playoffs, but South Florida really, really sucks. Nebraska can pick its score. <b>Nebraska 52, McNeese State 10</b></p>
<p><b>Akron (1-0) at Penn State (1-0) Noon, ABC/ESPN2</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.blackshoediaries.com/2014/9/3/6103235/akron-zips-1-0-at-penn-state-nittany-lions-1-0"><b>Black Shoe Diaries Preview</b></a></p>
<p>Remember in 2009 when Purdue went out to Oregon, lost a tightly contested night game, then still looked jetlagged a week later in a loss to Northern Illinois? That could be an issue against the nation's top scoring defense in the FBS. Okay, so Akron only shut out Howard 41-0. That's not the same caliber of opponent as Central Florida. The Nitts should be fine at home. <b>Penn State 45, Akron 14</b></p>
<p><b>Western Illinois (1-0) at Wisconsin (0-1) Noon, BTN</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2014/9/2/6096735/wisconsin-western-illinois-football-game-time-tv-schedule-live-stream-radio"><b>Bucky's Fifth Quarter Preview</b></a></p>
<p>Western Illinois beat Valparaiso last week, but Valpo might be the worst Division I program in the country. Wisconsin is not. The Badgers are pissed off after blowing the game against LSU last week and they are going to take it out on someone. Yes, Western Illinois is going to die. It doesn't even matter that the Badgers have a bunch of injuries from last week. <b>Wisconsin 59, Western Illinois 7</b></p>
<p><b>Howard (0-1) at Rutgers (1-0) Noon, BTN</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.onthebanks.com/2014/9/4/6102995/rutgers-home-opener-are-you-ready-for-some-football-live"><b>On The Banks Preview</b></a></p>
<p>This is the second appearance of Howard on the league preview this week, as the Bisons were fodder for Akron last week. When you get beat up by the likes of Akron you're probably going to get beat up by Rutgers, too. This is the type of game where a Rutgers loss should allow the Big Ten to kick them out. Howard is that bad. <b>Rutgers 52, Howard 3</b></p>
<p><b>Central Michigan (1-0) at Purdue (1-0) Noon, ESPNews</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.hustlebelt.com/mac-football/2014/9/4/6097527/purdue-boilermakers-vs-central-michigan-chippewas-preview"><b>Hustle Belt Preview</b></a></p>
<p>It is looking more and more like <span>Titus Davis</span> is not going to play, and that greatly benefits our Boilers. After last week it is clear there is a lot to work on, but since there was night and day improvement already from last season I will take it as a good sign that there will be further improvement as the season goes on. I want to see <span>Danny Etling</span> settle into being a quarterback like the one that lit up Indiana last year. I want to see improved gap discipline on defense. I want to see us improve the run defense against a team that barely averaged three yards per carry last week against an FCS team.</p>
<p>If Purdue is going to be competitive at all in the Big Ten this season it has to win this game. It sets the stage for at minimum a 3-1 start, which can provide a boost of much needed confidence for this program as a whole. It really is an important game because a loss feels like it would be a huge step back simply based on perception. Decent Big Ten teams take care of their MACtion, and I think Purdue finds a way. <b>Purdue 31, Central Michigan 24</b></p>
<p><b>Northern Illinois (1-0) at Northwestern (0-1) 3:30pm, BTN</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.insidenu.com/2014/9/1/6093959/week-2-northwestern-vs-niu"><b>InsideNU Preview</b></a></p>
<p>Northwestern is in serious trouble, and a loss this weekend makes them very unlikely to make a bowl game. They still have Notre Dame in the non-conference in a random November game in South Bend. This Northern Illinois team may not be as good as the last two seasons, but it is still pretty good. It ran for 424yards last week against patsy Presbyterian and even without <span>Jordan Lynch</span>, has a bunch of players that are familiar with simply winning games. Last year they beat two Big Ten teams, one of them a pretty good Iowa team. I think they get the MAC its first B1G pelt. <b>Northern Illinois 38, Northwestern 31</b></p>
<p><b>Middle Tennessee State (1-0) at Minnesota (1-0) 3:30pm, BTN</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.thedailygopher.com/2014/9/3/6100949/middle-tennessee-minnesota-preview-odds-predictions-tv-time-streaming-weather"><b>The Daily Gopher Preview</b></a></p>
<p>Minnesota is going to run into trouble when it faces a team that makes it have to pass. The running game was punishing last Thursday night, but the passing game was pretty ugly. Fortunately, the defense was pretty good and this week it will be tested against an offense that put up over 60 points last week. There is some upset potential here, but not much of one. The Golden Gophers are at home and look very business-like so far. <b>Minnesota 24, Middle Tennessee State 14</b></p>
<p><b>Ball State (1-0) at Iowa (1-0) 3:30pm, ESPN2</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2014/9/3/6100417/iowa-ball-state-preview-prediction-2014-ozzie-mann"><b>Black Heart Gold Pants Preview</b></a></p>
<p>After struggling with northern Iowa last week this looks like a game that could give the Hawkeyes some trouble. All-time, however, they have outscored Ball State 101-0. Any prediction of an upset is predicated on Iowa just not being as good as people thought in the preseason. This feels like a game where Ball State hangs around for about three quarters, then loses by 14-17 points. <b>Iowa 34, Ball State 21</b></p>
<p><b>Maryland (1-0) at South Florida (1-0) 3:30pm, CBS Sports Network</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terrapins-football/2014/9/2/6099159/maryland-football-terps-gear-up-for-south-florida"><b>Testudo Times Preview</b></a></p>
<p>You have to like Maryland here. After getting waxed by McNeese State last year South Florida almost had the consecutive losses to FCS teams until they came back on mighty Western Carolina. The Terrapins shouldn't have any trouble, and the new guys will do the B1G proud by moving to 4-0. <b>Maryland 42, South Florida 17</b></p>
<p><b>Michigan State (1-0) at Oregon (1-0) 6:30pm, FOX</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theonlycolors.com/2014/9/4/6106063/michigan-state-vs-oregon-preview-the-oregon-ducks-in-2013-vs-2014"><b>The Only Colors Preview</b></a></p>
<p>Oh man, is this going to be a good game! You have an offense that can go to hyperspace against one of the best defenses in the country. Michigan State is pretty good on defense to and Oregon, well, Oregon doesn't care if it gives up 30 because it thinks its offense is going to score 50 without breaking a sweat. Oregon loves to do it on the ground and Michigan loves to grind running games into fine powder. This is a must-watch game and the winner has a leg up on the first ever playoff because of the Strength of Schedule component. If Purdue can go out and nearly beat a Pac-12 champion level team surely Michigan State can close the deal. <b>Michigan State 34, Oregon 31</b></p>
<p><b>Michigan (1-0) at Notre Dame (1-0) 7:30pm, NBC</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.maizenbrew.com/2014/9/4/6099921/michigan-wolverines-big-ten-college-football-brady-hoke-devin-funchess-brian-kelly-everett-golson"><b>Maize N' Brew Preview</b></a></p>
<p>So is this a rivalry or not? They trump it up as one despite only 41 all-time meetings. They are not going to play each other for quite some time after this year and Notre Dame threw some shade at Michigan by announcing a home-and-home with Ohio State in 2022-23. Still, it is Notre Dame, so screw them. Michigan has won 6 of 8 and seems to have the Irish's number in close games in recent years. Since ND still has a handful of suspended starters I am giving the Wolverines the edge. <b>Michigan 30, Notre Dame 28</b></p>
<p><b>Virginia Tech (1-0) at Ohio State (1-0) 8pm, ESPN</b></p>
<p><a href="http://www.landgrantholyland.com/2014/9/3/6104269/ohio-state-alternate-uniforms-virginia-tech-nike-rivalry"><b>Land-Grant Holyland Preview</b></a></p>
<p>As Purdue fans this might be a game worth keeping an eye on. Virginia Tech comes to Ross-Ade in 2015 and I'd like to see what we're up against. This is probably a game that looked a lot better when it was scheduled than it does now. It should be one that Ohio State wins comfortably. <b>Ohio State 24, Virginia Tech 10</b></p>
<p></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2014/9/5/6108547/week-2-big-ten-football-previewBoilerTMill2014-09-04T10:00:06-04:002014-09-04T10:00:06-04:00A Q&A With James Jimenez of The Hustle Belt
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2zmZRKWJ4EeRU6gIq71QU96GF7o=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37933508/20131106_kkt_lb1_618.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The expert on the Chippewas from The Hustle Belt stops by to talk about Saturday's game. </p> <p>We're going back to The Hustle Belt with DOUBLE SHOCK POWER this week as James Jimenez is the guest blogger this week. He writes about all things Central Michigan for the Hustle Belt and he was kind enough to answer my questions concerning the Chippewas in advance of Saturday's game:</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="likebox-float-right"><iframe allowtransparency="true" style="border:none; overflow:hidden;" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="//www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FHammerAndRails&width=560&height=210&colorscheme=light&show_faces=true&show_border=false&stream=false&header=false"></iframe></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>T-Mill: </b>What happened to <span>Titus Davis</span> and is he a go on Saturday?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><b>James: </b>Titus Davis was injured after recovering a pooch punt by Chattanooga. He slid feet first after the live ball, and got absolutely decked by a gunner, whose impact directly affected Titus' left knee. Coach Dan Enos has him listed as "day-to-day" with a knee sprain. This leaves a lot of murkiness in regards to just how serious the injury is. Coach Enos is usually pretty up-front about injury news, so for him to only say day-to-day and provide no further detail is odd. I was at the game and right on the sideline when the injury happened and Titus seemed to be in serious pain. In my opinion, he is a no-go for Saturday, although something tells me that given the WR situation, he might make an appearance.</p>
<p><b> </b></p>
<p><b>T-Mill: </b> What were the reasons behind the struggles with Chattanooga?</p>
<p><b>James: </b>There were a lot of reasons, and most of those reasons could be found in the first half. First off, the Chippewas offense was stagnant at best against the Mocs' defense. <span>Cooper Rush</span> was overthrowing all of his receivers, and there was a lack of timing; every play looked sloppy and was executed poorly. <span>Saylor Lavallii</span>, the starting running back, contributed virtually nothing, and was pulled out of the starting spot a couple series into the game in favor of <span>Thomas Rawls</span>. The defense is not entirely blameless in this. Until the second half, the defense just did not create opportunities for success, especially against the rush, where they looked confused against Chattanooga's zone read offense, where they gave up over 200 yards, resulting in a 16-0 deficit late in the second quarter. CMU sealed the game in the second half with fervour, giving up only seventeen yards and intercepting the Mocs three times. Special teams (aka <span>Ron Coluzzi</span> and ten people running in a straight line) was also a disaster, with Coluzzi missing a field goal and an extra point. The Chips got it together on all sides of the ball in the second half, but most of those struggles were discovered in the first half.</p>
<p><b>T-Mill: </b>Central wants to play tough up front and Purdue is coming off its best rushing performance in almost two years. What will give?</p>
<p><b>James: </b>My Central superfan self wants to say that Central's run defense, which includes the likes of <span>Justin Cherocci</span>, <span>Jabari Dean</span>, and <span>Leterrius Walton</span> will hold off the Boilermaker rushing attack. But after Central's dismal showing against Chattanooga, and taking into account that Purdue is a B1G team, I have to say Purdue. I expect that the numbers for <span>Akeem Hunt</span> and Rakeem Mostert will be similar to the numbers that they gained against Western Michigan, since apparently bad run defense is a "Directional Michigan" thing.</p>
<p><b>T-Mill: </b>Who are the offensive standouts aside from Davis?</p>
<p><b>James: </b>Offensively, the Chips are really reliant on Titus. However, this does not mean the offense starts and stops with him. Look out for Thomas Rawls, the Michigan transfer running back. After coming in for Lavallii as the primary back, he amassed 121 yards, most of them after first contact. <span>Jesse Kroll</span> will probably be a target for Rush to throw to in the absence of Davis. Andy Phillips and <span>Nick Beamish</span> anchor the offensive line and will give the Boilermakers defense plenty to handle.</p>
<p><b>T-Mill: </b> What is CMU's best chance for a win on Saturday?</p>
<p><b>James: </b>There are two scenarios here: with and without Davis. If Titus can play, the key will be for Central to find a balanced offensive attack. Rawls, or whoever the starting primary back will be, must produce enough of a threat to get Davis open. When healthy and ready, Davis has electric speed and professional hands, fielding comparisons to fellow Chip and Pro-Bowler Antonio Brown. If Davis is ineligible, the Chippewas will have to lean on their defense in order to win out the day. Purdue looked vulnerable at times against the Broncos, and the 4-2-5 is a look that B1G teams don't see often, so the Chips must take advantage and exploit the Purdue offense in order to take home a payday and a win.</p>
<p></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2014/9/4/6104403/a-q-a-with-james-jimenez-of-the-hustle-beltBoilerTMill2014-09-03T20:27:27-04:002014-09-03T20:27:27-04:00Week 2 College Football TV and Kickoff Time List
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZsZWWaPc-LM4w8K0y1hRANCjmeA=/0x130:2800x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/37927724/20140830_tcb_bd1_181.JPG.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Your full college football TV schedule for week 2.</p> <p>Central Michigan at Purdue not enough for you this week? There is once again a glut of college football on TV highlighted by some key matchups on Thursday. You have Michigan-Notre Dame, Michigan State-Oregon, USC-Stanford, and an underdog's dream of East Carolina at South Carolina.</p>
<p>Where you watch it is not my business. I am just giving you the time and channel:</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Thu, Sep 4, 2014</th> <th colspan="2">Time (ET)</th> <th colspan="2">TV</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arizona @ Texas-San Antonio</td>
<td colspan="2">8:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">FS1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Fri, Sep 5, 2014</th> <th colspan="2">Time (ET)</th> <th colspan="2">TV</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Pittsburgh @ Boston College</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Washington State @ Nevada</td>
<td colspan="2">10:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPN</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<th>Sat, Sep 6, 2014</th> <th colspan="2">Time (ET)</th> <th colspan="2">TV</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Buffalo @ Army</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">CBSS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Akron @ Penn State</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ABC/ESPN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Central Michigan @ Purdue</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPNN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Howard @ Rutgers</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">BTN/BTN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Arkansas State @ Tennessee</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">SECN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(24) Missouri @ Toledo</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Florida Atlantic @ (2) Alabama</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">SECN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Western Kentucky @ Illinois</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">BTN/BTN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(20) Kansas State @ Iowa State</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">FS1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>McNeese State @ (19) Nebraska</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPNU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Western Illinois @ (18) Wisconsin</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">BTN/BTN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Southern Methodist @ North Texas</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">FSN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(4) Oklahoma @ Tulsa</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ABC/ESPN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Stony Brook @ Connecticut</td>
<td colspan="2">12:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESGP/<a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>South Carolina State @ (23) Clemson</td>
<td colspan="2">12:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">
<a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a>/ESGP</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Navy @ Temple</td>
<td colspan="2">1:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>UAB @ Mississippi State</td>
<td colspan="2">2:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">
<a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a>/FSN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>South Alabama @ Kent State</td>
<td colspan="2">2:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>New Mexico State @ Georgia State</td>
<td colspan="2">2:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Colorado @ Massachusetts</td>
<td colspan="2">3:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Fresno State @ Utah</td>
<td colspan="2">3:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">PACN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sacramento State @ California</td>
<td colspan="2">3:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">PACN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eastern Washington @ Washington</td>
<td colspan="2">3:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">PACN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ohio @ Kentucky</td>
<td colspan="2">3:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPNU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Richmond @ Virginia</td>
<td colspan="2">3:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ball State @ Iowa</td>
<td colspan="2">3:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Middle Tennessee @ Minnesota</td>
<td colspan="2">3:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">BTN/BTN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northern Illinois @ Northwestern</td>
<td colspan="2">3:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">BTN/BTN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Missouri State @ Oklahoma State</td>
<td colspan="2">3:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">FSN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(14) USC @ (13) Stanford</td>
<td colspan="2">3:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ABC/<a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eastern Kentucky @ Miami (OH)</td>
<td colspan="2">3:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Virginia Military @ Bowling Green</td>
<td colspan="2">3:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Maryland @ South Florida</td>
<td colspan="2">3:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">CBSS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Eastern Michigan @ Florida</td>
<td colspan="2">4:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">SECN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nicholls @ Arkansas</td>
<td colspan="2">4:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">SECN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Georgia Tech @ Tulane</td>
<td colspan="2">4:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPNN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(15) Mississippi @ Vanderbilt</td>
<td colspan="2">4:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Old Dominion @ North Carolina State</td>
<td colspan="2">6:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Wagner @ FIU</td>
<td colspan="2">6:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Campbell @ Appalachian State</td>
<td colspan="2">6:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Savannah State @ Georgia Southern</td>
<td colspan="2">6:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Gardner-Webb @ Wake Forest</td>
<td colspan="2">6:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(7) Michigan State @ (3) Oregon</td>
<td colspan="2">6:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">FOX</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Murray State @ (25) Louisville</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Florida A&M @ Miami (FL)</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>East Carolina @ (21) South Carolina</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPNU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>San Jose State @ (5) Auburn</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Southeast Missouri State @ Kansas</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESGP/<a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Duke @ Troy</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>(17) Arizona State @ New Mexico</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">CBSS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rhode Island @ Marshall</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">AMSN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Louisiana Tech @ Louisiana-Lafayette</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alcorn State @ Southern Miss</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Idaho @ Louisiana-Monroe</td>
<td colspan="2">7:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Citadel @ (1) Florida State</td>
<td colspan="2">7:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">
<a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a>/ESGP</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michigan @ (16) Notre Dame</td>
<td colspan="2">7:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">NBC</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Towson @ West Virginia</td>
<td colspan="2">7:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ROOT</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northwestern State @ (10) Baylor</td>
<td colspan="2">7:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">FSN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sam Houston State @ (12) LSU</td>
<td colspan="2">7:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">SECN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brigham Young @ Texas</td>
<td colspan="2">7:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">FS1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Lamar @ (9) Texas A&M</td>
<td colspan="2">7:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">SECN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>San Diego State @ (21) North Carolina</td>
<td colspan="2">8:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPNN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Virginia Tech @ (8) Ohio State</td>
<td colspan="2">8:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Idaho State @ Utah State</td>
<td colspan="2">8:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">TMTN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Grambling State @ Houston</td>
<td colspan="2">8:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"><a href="http://espn3.com" target="_new">ESPN3</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Memphis @ (11) UCLA</td>
<td colspan="2">10:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">PACN</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Northern Colorado @ UNLV</td>
<td colspan="2">10:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Colorado State @ Boise State</td>
<td colspan="2">10:15 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPN2</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Air Force @ Wyoming</td>
<td colspan="2">10:15 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">ESPNU</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Oregon State @ Hawaii</td>
<td colspan="2">10:30 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">CBSS</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Texas Tech @ UTEP</td>
<td colspan="2">11:00 p.m.</td>
<td colspan="2">FS1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2014/9/3/6104027/week-2-college-football-tv-and-kickof-time-listBoilerTMill