Friday, September 17, 2010

Cardinal Predicto


So good on so many levels...and this week's game is the perfect excuse to show off this classic that simply never gets old.

Between week one and week two, our Boilers needed to show some improvement...in my mind they didn't. So, will the offense be able to find any rhythm? Will the defense figure out how to defend dump passes and stuff underneath to the TE? Will they be able to fill the sizable void left by K. Smith? These and many more questions will be answered Saturday...

Tim Says:
If there is any game that Marve and the offense are going to get in sync, it's this one. I expect Marve (even without Smith) to throw for 300 yards and 2 + TDs. The running game still will not dominate though. I look for Dierking to lead the backs with about 75 yards and a TD.

It won't take much to win and hopefully Purdue brings it all. It would be nice to see a blowout, but I suspect it will still be closer than it should be.

Purdue 31
Ball State 14

J Says:
There are questions this week.... will the team again look lackluster against another inferior opponent? Will the coaching staff open things up or will Smith's injury and the team's ho-hum performances lead to them -- *shudder* -- actually being MORE conservative? Will there be a hangover from the K Smith injury? Will anyone step up to become the clear primary WR? Will Robert Marve rain fire upon a mediocre secondary? Will you be wearing your Marve-lous shirt?

Not that we want uncertainty on our
favorite football team, but there's a lot to see in this game and we'll learn a lot about these guys this weekend. Another boring, 10-point win and we're saying the same things next week that we said this week. A locomotive-like rundown and we're all giddy and excited about the possibilities, like Boilerdowd in an all-boys dormitory.

I say the truth -- as usual -- lies somewhere in between.

Purdue 38
Ball State 22

boilerdowd says:
Man oh man was I unhappy with what I saw last week. Three and outs were the norm, Purdue players were dropping like the stockmarket in '09, the defense couldn't seem to come up with gimme interceptions...all versus a FCS opponent.

So, how much better are MAC teams? I think quite a bit. For one thing, BSU has some very good running backs and depth in their line-up that WIU simply didn't have. So is there reason to be nervous? Sure. Anyone can lose to anyone else when not prepared or inspired.

Some Ball fans are confident, if not cocky, for some reason...I like that. I hope their players are as well.

Purdue lost its leader last week and that type of thing can affect a team any number of ways...I think this week, they'll be ready to play. Maybe because of a pep talk by Smith, maybe because they watched the game film from last week and were embarrassed by all of the missed opportunities, or maybe just because many players hate cardinals (that'd be a real shame because they are simply lovely). Regardless, I think the Boilers continue their dominance over BSU in the series. But, until I see evidence, I have a hard time thinking there will be a ton of points scored.

Purdue 28
Ball State 10

    To Your Call Once More We Rally;
    Alma Mater Hear Our Praise.
    Where The Wabash Spreads Its Valley;
    Filled With Joy Our Voices Raise.
    From The Skies In Swelling Echoes
    Come The Cheers That Tell The Tale
    Of Your Vict'ries And Your Heros,
    Hail Purdue! We Sing All Hail!


    Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
    All Hail To Our Old Gold And Black!
    Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
    Our Friendship May She Never Lack.
    Ever Grateful, Ever True,
    Thus We Raise Our Song Anew;
    Of The Days We've Spent With You,
    All Hail Our Own Purdue!

6 comments:

zlionsfan said...

I expect that this will be another game that turns out closer than it needs to be. Hopefully this one will be the wake-up call.

Purdue 24
Ball State 17

boilerdowd said...

Yikes...but you could be correct.

zlionsfan said...

The nice thing is that there are two ways I can see the game getting to that point. With any luck, we'll see the version where Purdue's defense looks good, so even though the offense isn't hitting on all cylinders, they open up a safe lead before Ball State scores a couple of late TDs to make it look good.

Don't get me wrong, I'd love to see Purdue bury the Cardinals early, but they haven't shown that ability yet. Now would be a great time for someone to have a breakout game.

Mommatried said...

This NEVER gets old. CLASSIC.

The OX said...

Another lackluster effort against a cupcake. Outside of 6 minutes in the second half, this team essentially went to sleep from the first quarter on. This team is going to get slapped around in Big 10 play, and it won't be pretty.

zlionsfan said...

I'm glad that this time it wasn't as close as I thought it would be. (Not that it was that far off.)

Haven't seen the game yet - I was out riding today - but I don't think I need to. They've got another week to get things worked out, but they'll need to have the offense working for Northwestern.