2010 Purdue Football: Game 1

As part of the BS football season preview at the end of August, we'd like the readers of BS to weigh in on the Boilermakers' chances in each of their games. Today, we discuss game 1. 

How nice that the Boilers get to be Brian Kelly's first opponent as coach of Notre Dame. Kicking off the season against Notre Dame is definitely going to feel weird. These two haven't started their seasons against one another since 1984. That game was a 23-21 Boilermaker victory, for whatever that's worth (nothing).

Brian Kelly is here to resurrect a program that has done nothing but underachieve in the past two decades. Sure, they've had some high rankings and they've made a couple of BCS games, but they've also been downright embarrassed in most of their bowl appearances and have been de-pantsed by USC for what feels like forever (eight consecutive, last UND win: 2001).

They've also had their share of losses to our Boilermakers, though of course they've still won more against our boys than they've lost. Last year was one of the more impressive blackouts we've seen by the Purdue fans and football program, even going so far as to black out the "PURDUE" written in the end zones. Of course, then they overdid it by using that look for the rest of the season.

As for the venue, the game is in South Bend, which to understate it, has been unkind to the Boilers in recent.... lifetimes. In the past 36 years, Purdue has won there ONE time. And that was the 2004 bludgeoning by Kyle Orton and company. And remember, that team looked like a world-beater and ultimately peaked in the top 5 in the country. Does this 2010 team have that kind of potential?

No cupcakes to start things out this year and get everyone some positive feelings and playing time. It's go-time on opening day.

Let us know in the comments what your analysis is for this game. Does Purdue have a chance? Should they be favored? Is a win in South Bend just a pipe dream at this point? Or does the rivalry (sorry, non-rivalry, if you ask UND fans) take a turn now? Perhaps the Boilers can own it for a while?

Two Months

So you've got just about two months left to wait until we get to see if Coach Hope and the boys can wipe the stupid smile off this sycophant's face.

I can't wait.

Wise Sage Speaks of Independence

When Brian Kelly talks about independence...you'd better listen

When you've been someplace as long as Brian Kelly has been at UND, you know the inner workings of that institution: The things that make that place tick. The nuances that make it special. The greatest strengths and embarrassing weaknesses.

In five months and a few days, while coaching zero games, recruiting for two long months, and doing everything to defend the tremendous honor that comes with his small coaching fraternity, a coach just knows why his program's special.

Brian Kelly gets "it".

When he talks to reporters about how there's nothing better than coaching at an independent program, you just gotta respect what he's saying. Yeah, he's seen some hard times and some great times in South Bend...but when compared to DII, the MAC and the Big East, there's no comparison- Brian Kelly knows where he belongs. He's like a cowboy, a renegade...A glorious, renegade, free-wheeling, Ross-Perot-esque, Irish-Cowboy. He personifies the great American, independent spirit...and there's nothing better than the Independent Brian Kelly coaching the Independent ghosts and echoes of great teams from 20, 30, 40-plus years ago.

Hats off to you, Coach Kelly, for standing up for something you know so much about...and keeping in stride with the long tradition of traditional traditioning at Notre Dame.