Two-Man Race for All the Marbles

I just checked out the BS Bracket challenge and was kind of astonished at what has transpired. We've got two guys/ladies that are in the driver's seat...If UM wins, one of them will win, if Louisville wins, the other shall win:

I'm almost positive that we've never had a champ that was in the 99.9th percentile...but this year we shall.  Not too far down the charts, I see a few names I know; congrats to you guys too! To be in the top 95% in America in guessing who's the champ skillfully predicting the outcome of the tournament is saying something. Thanks to everyone who entered.

I'm not sure why an MSU fan would enter our challenge...nor am I sure why an MSU fan would pull for UM to win it all...if UM wins, I'm sure we'll find out from Spartante86...if L'Ville wins, it'll be dkboilerfan writing the guest post. Either way, the stakes are palpably-high.

What do we really know?

Really not many people know much of anything...well not much absolute truth, anyway.

Jones spent four hours in West Lafayette and brought his wife along for the trip yesterday...a day later (today), he spent six hours at Colorado...brought his wife again.

Colorado was very public with their thoughts about the interview...perhaps that was because they had reason to be confident (read as a contract signed)...perhaps not.  The called today's meetings "very productive."

Jones seeking a home where the Buffs roam?

Burke has handled the process much more privately and quietly than CU's AD...it could be because he hasn't had confidence or it could be because that's just his chosen tactic.  It still makes no sense to me that Burke allowed Jones to be seen on campus yesterday as it clearly wasn't in the bag; it seems the photos and public exposure could have been avoided.  I read that as an intentional leak and confidence that Jones was the guy...I think I read incorrectly.

There's wiggle room in this process and that's by design...agents are smart enough to take what they're given...if it's silence, it can be used to help their client...if there's talk, it can be used too.  We saw this in Painter's re-negotiations...we're seeing it now as Purdue seeks to find its next head football coach.

In Painter's case, "Buddy" Baker didn't want Purdue to look dumb at the end of the day in order for his client(s) to make money...so he negotiated and pulled strings that helped three of his clients get raises...all as Painter sat back and had Mizzou chase him, and finally Burke had to pony up.

In the football coach candidate case, there are still rumors that Jones is a target of University of Tennessee...probably perpetuated by Trace Armstrong; who, by the way is OK with making Purdue look like a pawn as he and his client make a play for extra cheddar.

Back in 1996, Burke sought Bob Davie and landed on Joe Tiller. That ending was A-OK for Burke and the university.

This time, he wanted Butch Jones...and it sure seems like he's not landing for good in West Lafayette either.  The signs are pointing to Darrell Hazell as the guy now...Burke's not standing pat as Jones seeks a prettier girl.  In fact, the trustees' plane took a trip to Akron this afternoon...which is about 20 miles from Kent State's campus. Then this evening, GBI reported via Twitter that Darrell Hazell is "very much in play"...according to a source.

Hazell took over for Doug Martin at Kent State.  In those seven seasons prior to Hazell's last two years, Kent State's best record was 6-6.  After a 5-7 first season...Hazell's flashes were 11-2 this season.  Kent State's program wins about 39% of their games historically...and has been to two bowls prior to being invited to the GoDaddy.Com Bowl this season.

Hazell was asked today about being named in connection with other program openings...he said nothing to deny it...nothing to confirm it; feels like we've heard this before.

Hazell is 48 years old, has coached from the East Coast to the Midwest and is originally from New Jersey. He went to a small school in Ohio for college and spent most of his coaching years, 7 seasons, at aOSU coaching a ton of very good wide receivers and even being Tressell's Assistant head coach.

A few days ago, it was Jones, then DeRuyter was the second fiddle in this contest...a week ago Jones, Dykes and Doeren...and today Hazell has floated to the top of this nebulous list.  I guess we'll all know soon what's truth and what's conjecture...hope to, anyway.

Pivotal Players for '12

A big chunk of the media has Purdue as their sleeper team in the B1G- 16 returning starters, lots of speed and a few names that most fans of the B1G, if not the greater college football nation are beginning to know well...

KK Short and Ricardo Allen are guys that get a ton of respect...and even Josh Johnson and Dwayne Beckford are known by those outside of West Lafayette because of their solid play and sure tackling. And of course, Robert Marve is known because of the former blue chips unusual route to God's country.

But, if our Boilers are going to be an 8-win team (or more), it's going to take a pretty sizable effort from more than just the household names.  Here are a few players that might help swing things in Coach Hope's favor this fall-

Offense:

Raheem Mostert Sophomore WR

There's no doubt he's electric when returning kicks...but don't sleep on 8 on the offensive side of the ball this fall. His explosive nature and vision makes him a player with a huge upside. Much like Antavian Edison, he's good in the slot and pretty solid out of the backfield. His ability to play multiple positions will allow Bolden to heal fully before seeing the field.

Gabe Holmes Junior TE

Holmes has been hampered with injuries in both of his first two seasons on campus.  Last year, he was a much better blocker so he got on the field more.  I look for Holmes to pick up some of the slack left by the departure of Justin Siller.  He'll be a tough assignment for most LBs. He's got great size, good speed, soft hands and runs routes well; good combo. Plus, he'll be getting pushed by some young guys who want to get on the field...competition never hurts.

Trevor Foy Junior LT

With Dennis Kelly graduating, the blindside of TerBush/Marve will be a concern.  But, Foy might help us forget about Kelly, who was a three-year starter.  Foy is a large human...and damned athletic for his 6'7" frame.  His long arms and quick feet need to make up for his sub-300 pound frame...but make no mistake, he could be a monster in the trenches this season.

Defense:

Ryan Russell Sophomore DE

Everyone saw a bit of what Russell was capable of late last season...especially in the Pizza Bowl.  He's a bit taller and longer-armed than the speed rushers that have defined the Den of D-Ends over the past 15 years, but I think he'll be the next member of the elite fraternity. It doesn't hurt that Short and Gaston demand so much attention in the middle...he'll take advantage of that this season.

Jelani Phillips Sophomore LB

In the second half of the '11 season, Phillips started playing a reserve role.  That might seem inconsequential, but he was one of the guys that the coaching staff simply couldn't redshirt because of how he practiced as the season progressed. With depth a HUGE concern in the LB corps, Phillips will make his presence known.  He's a large LB, by Purdue's standards and will help with run support as the undersized corps will need all the aid it can muster. 

Normando Harris Sophomore FS/CB

He's technically a Nickelback*, but I think the coaching staff will be hard-pressed to find a way to keep him off of the field as a starter. Look for Harris to play more Safety than last season...and be a bit of a utility DB.  When he's on the field, good things happen...that's not just coincidence.

----------------

Obviously, guys like Gary Bush, Akeem Shavers, Justin Kitchens and Ryan Isaac could be on this list as well.  All of these guys need to take the next step for the team to get better.  The most-integral cog might be Akeem Shavers.  He'll get more carries than last season with Bolden unavailable for much of the season...and he's shown that he can be a feature back.

----------------

Don't be surprised if...

Ben (formerly known as BJ) Knauf starts from game one in '12. The resemblance to Vinny Sutherland is pretty uncanny...and his career path might be as well. Sutherland started as a true Frosh...and Knauf's speed and moxy will get him on the field early. Ricardo Allen talked during the media days about Knauf's bulldog mentality in drills...and he was timed as the fastest guy on the team a few weeks ago. Now, I don't really think the times that came out via Twitter were too accurate...so I won't repeat the time...but his was blazing fast.  He beat out Allen and Ross as the fastest player that day.

Anthrop has also made some noise in workouts...but I don't think both will force the hands of the coaches and not redshirt.  While Purdue doesn't have a ton of experience at WR; Ross, Bush, Edison, Mostert, Thomas, Torwudzu and Mikesky will all vie for playing time and should be ahead of any Freshman...at least initially.

That said, Knauf might be needed right away as punt returner and elsewhere on Special Teams.