Purdue +8
Don’t let last week’s lost to NIU fool you, Purdue head coach has this team headed in the right direction. Purdue is a young squad who got caught looking ahead to Notre Dame last week and a solid NIU squad snuck up and bit them. Purdue catches Notre Dame this week with many of their playmakers on offense hurt. Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd, arguably one of the best receivers in the nation, broke his collar bone last week and will be out for this week’s game. FB James Aldridge will also not play this week due to injury. Tailback Armando Allen was limited in practice this week due to an ankle injury, which means he comes into this week’s game at less than full strength. Throw in that QB Jimmy Clausen tweaked his foot in the second half of last week’s game and Notre Dames offense should be merely mortal this week. This is a good thing for Purdue because they aren’t exactly a defensive juggernaut. Purdue does get back one of their top secondary players this week which should help their pass defense tremendously as Notre Dame still has WR Golden Tate and TE Kyle Rudolph to account for.
If anyone got to watch Purdue play Oregon a couple of weeks ago, or even their game against Toledo, you would understand that Purdue has an excellent scheme on offense. They will run a variety of plays out of many different offensive sets and will base much of their offense around tailback Ralph Bolden, who is averaging 6.4 yards per carry and has 4 TD’s this season. Purdue’s ground attack doesn’t stop there as RB Jaycen Taylor has rebounded from a knee injury last year and is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has scored 3 TD’s so far. Purdue senior QB Joey Elliot is extremely mobile, averaging five yards per carry and has a couple of rushing TDs this season. He has completed a high percentage of his passes (61%) but will need to make good decisions with the football. He has a strong arm and a quick release but must remember to take what the defense gives him. Purdue has three talented WR’s to distribute the ball to in Keith Smith, Aaron Valentin and Kyle Adams. All three aren’t game breakers, but they have good hands and are solid possession guys.
I’m not sure we will see a whole lot of defense and understand that Purdue’ offense, especially with the injuries to Notre Dame’s offensive unit, is every bit as explosive as Notre Dame’s. I see a motivated home team, plus more than a TD, and I’ve got to bite here.
Don’t let last week’s lost to NIU fool you, Purdue head coach has this team headed in the right direction. Purdue is a young squad who got caught looking ahead to Notre Dame last week and a solid NIU squad snuck up and bit them. Purdue catches Notre Dame this week with many of their playmakers on offense hurt. Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd, arguably one of the best receivers in the nation, broke his collar bone last week and will be out for this week’s game. FB James Aldridge will also not play this week due to injury. Tailback Armando Allen was limited in practice this week due to an ankle injury, which means he comes into this week’s game at less than full strength. Throw in that QB Jimmy Clausen tweaked his foot in the second half of last week’s game and Notre Dames offense should be merely mortal this week. This is a good thing for Purdue because they aren’t exactly a defensive juggernaut. Purdue does get back one of their top secondary players this week which should help their pass defense tremendously as Notre Dame still has WR Golden Tate and TE Kyle Rudolph to account for.
If anyone got to watch Purdue play Oregon a couple of weeks ago, or even their game against Toledo, you would understand that Purdue has an excellent scheme on offense. They will run a variety of plays out of many different offensive sets and will base much of their offense around tailback Ralph Bolden, who is averaging 6.4 yards per carry and has 4 TD’s this season. Purdue’s ground attack doesn’t stop there as RB Jaycen Taylor has rebounded from a knee injury last year and is averaging 4.6 yards per carry and has scored 3 TD’s so far. Purdue senior QB Joey Elliot is extremely mobile, averaging five yards per carry and has a couple of rushing TDs this season. He has completed a high percentage of his passes (61%) but will need to make good decisions with the football. He has a strong arm and a quick release but must remember to take what the defense gives him. Purdue has three talented WR’s to distribute the ball to in Keith Smith, Aaron Valentin and Kyle Adams. All three aren’t game breakers, but they have good hands and are solid possession guys.
I’m not sure we will see a whole lot of defense and understand that Purdue’ offense, especially with the injuries to Notre Dame’s offensive unit, is every bit as explosive as Notre Dame’s. I see a motivated home team, plus more than a TD, and I’ve got to bite here.
...yep, **** the tacomax sideliners, too scared to get in the game but the first to criticize our plays when they lose...I expect a lot of silence from them this week, look forward to it in fact...
