2012-13 Football Previews – (Big 10) – Purdue Boilermakers
Joe Tiller took the Purdue Boilermakers to 10 bowl games in 12 seasons. The pressure was on Danny Hope to get the Boilers back to a bowl game in 2011. Hope did get Purdue to their first bowl game in three years. In fact, the Boilers edged Western Michigan 37-32 to end the season with their first bowl victory since 2007.
Big 10 Conference 2012-2013 College Football Previews: Purdue Boilermakers
Head Coach: Danny Hope
2011 Record: 7-6
Purdue Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win BCS Championship: +57,500
Purdue Gambling Odds from 5Dimes to win Big 10 Conference: +3,800
Purdue Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
Purdue has never had a better opportunity to win the difficult Big Ten Leaders Division than they have right now. Ohio State isn’t eligible for the postseason. Penn State is a complete mess. Illinois is a mediocre team, and the Indiana Hoosiers are an annual doormat. Wisconsin is Purdue’s biggest competition, but the Boilermakers at least have a chance to make a mark on the division this year. Can Danny Hope’s team take advantage of this opportunity?
Team Strengths:
Purdue has a tremendous amount of depth at the quarterback position. After struggling with depth at this spot for the past couple years, the Boilermakers have three guys who could easily be the starter this year. Robert Marve was granted a sixth-year of eligibility, and Rob Henry is back from a torn ACL that cost him the 2011 season. Henry was great as a freshman in 2010, and Marve was a highly touted high-school quarterback who has a high upside. Caleb TerBush started last year for the Boilers, and I expect him to get the first chance at quarterback. Still, with this much talent at this spot, look for the Boilermakers to give the opposing defenses multiple looks.
Purdue has some major star power on the defensive side of the football. Kawaan Short has the potential to be a first or second round NFL Draft pick. Short is 6’3 and 310 pounds, and he absolutely stuffs the middle of the line for the Boilers. Short has amazing athleticism for such a big man. Ricardo Allen might be the best cover corner in the Big Ten Conference. Opposing teams rarely throw it Allen’s way because of his great skills. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Team Weaknesses:
The single biggest problem that Purdue has is a lack of overall depth on the roster. Other than the quarterback spot, the Boilermakers are thin almost everywhere. The starters are high quality guys, but Purdue simply can’t afford to lose many guys due to injury or they will be unable to keep in the Big Ten. Injuries have been a major problem for the Boilermakers the past few years, so this team has to hope their luck changes in 2012.
The running back spot is a question mark heading into 2012. Akeem Shavers is likely to be the starter. Shavers struggled down the stretch last year, but he is a guy who can break big runs. Ralph Bolden is the most talented back on this roster, but the team isn’t sure if he’ll be ready to return to action after tearing his ACL late in the 2011 season.
2012-2013 Purdue Boilermakers Football Prediction: 8-5
I like what Purdue has going into this season. The Boilermakers have some great options at quarterback, and I expect them to utilize all three guys throughout the year. In addition, Purdue’s defense should be one of the best in the conference. There isn’t a real glaring weakness on this team other than the depth issue. If this team stays healthy, they could easily knock off some highly ranked teams this year. Look for the Boilermakers to improve again in 2012.
2012 Purdue Schedule
9/1/12 3:30 PM ET EKEN
9/8/12 3:30 PM ET @NOTRE
9/15/12 12:00 PM ET EMICH
9/29/12 TBD MARSH
10/6/12 TBD MICH
10/13/12 TBD WISC
10/20/12 TBD @OHIST
10/27/12 TBD @MINN
11/3/12 TBD PENST
11/10/12 TBD @IOWA
11/17/12 TBD @ILL
11/24/12 TBD IND
