2012 Purdue Boilermakers
Record: 6-7 (3-5 Leaders Division)
B1G Standing: 4th place - Leaders Division
Offensive State Leaders: Passing - Robert Marve:1734 yards, 15 TD's, 5 INTs (65.6 comp %)... Rushing - Akeem Shaversl: 181 att.,920 yds,6 TDs... Receiving - Antavian Edison 58 recs., 652 yards,8 TDs
Defensive State Leaders: Tackles - Landon Feichter : 80, Sacks - Ryan Russell: 4.0, Interceptions - Landon Feichter : 4
Purdue started the season well winning 3 or their first 4 games, the only loss coming at the hands of Notre Dame by a very slim 20-17 score. Then Big Ten play started and that's when the wheels fell off. Purdue lost 5 in a row including a 34-9 shellacking by our beloved Nittany Lions. The Boilermakers bounced back to win the last 3 games including the Old Oaken Bucket Game against Indiana to become bowl eligible, unfortunately it wasn't good enough to keep head coach Danny Hope's job and he was fired just 24 hours after winning the bucket. With all Hope gone (Ha!, see what I did there?!?) erstwhile Kent State coach Darrell Hazell takes over the reigns. Hazell was a great get for Purdue, many had him pegged for more "sexy" jobs.
A Quick Look Ahead
Recruiting: Class of 2013 Rankings - 247Sports 64- Rivals 56 - Scout 58
Key Losses
OFFENSE: Robert Marve and Caleb TerBush QB
DEFENSE: Josh Johnson (DB)
Gone is the two-headed-monster rotation of Marve and TerBush at quarterback which means there will be a new competition for the starter but this spring it won't be because of injury or bad play. One of the two of Robert Henry or Austin Appleby has to step forward and assume the head spot, Purdue can ill-afford to go through another season with inconsistency at QB especially with their schedule.
Purdue has recruited heavy on the defensive line and they will need it, when the Boilermakers failed to get pressure last season they got beat badly. Purdue returns some good pieces (8 starters on defense, 7 offense) but they have to play better especially against teams that can run the ball. Purdue had the second-worst defense in the Big Ten and their punt return was hideous.
Purdue 2013 SCHEDULE
8/31 | at Cincinnati |
9/7 | Indiana State |
9/14 | Notre Dame |
9/21 | at Wisconsin |
9/28 | Northern Illinois |
10/5 | OPEN DATE |
10/12 | Nebraska |
10/19 | at Michigan State |
10/26 | OPEN DATE |
11/2 | Ohio State |
11/9 | Iowa |
11/16 | at Penn State |
11/23 | Illinois |
11/30 | at Indiana |
Yikes! Even the non-conference schedule looks tough with an opening day trip to play Cincinnati and Notre Dame. When Hazell's team hits conference play he gets to face a murderous stretch of Nebraska, Sparty, OSU, and Penn State. Throw in an Iowa team who will be looking for revenge for last season's 27-24 late-season disaster and the Boilers have a tough row to hoe. Lucky for them they get Illinois and Indiana to close out the season but things might be bleak by then. 2 or 3 wins only, is not out of the question.
Way too early prediction: 4-8 (2-6 in B1G)
For more information on Michigan State, head on over to: Hammer and Rails.
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