FanNation - The Republic of Sport

            I lost count the number of times last week I read the metaphor about Purdue being a team flying under the radar.  Worse yet, I used the metaphor myself in my blog.  Coach Hope was even asked about "flying under the radar" during this week's press conference!  Does anyone really know how radar works?   After 25-plus years with the Navy, I know a little about the physics involved.  Maybe some of those eye-glazed hours in a physics lab rubbed off on this former English major as well. 

            Purdue's 52-31 win against the Toledo Rockets could've surprised a lot of people, right?  Hanging 52 points on the scoreboard should've impressed someone.  Running back Ralph Bolden rushed for an amazing 234 yards, the third highest in Boilermaker football history.  Jaycen Taylor had a very respectable rushing accomplishment himself striding for 81 yards.  Kicker Carson Wiggs broke a school record with a 59-yard field goal at the end of the first half.  Finally, Joey Elliot completed 17 passes out of 28 attempts for 220 yards.  Shouldn't this get someone's attention?

            Let's put it this way, Purdue isn't "flying under the radar" because no one is watching.  Purdue sports fans will be hard pressed to find any news or reporting from Saturday's game unless you read the babblings of the usual suspects:  Indianapolis Star or the Lafayette Journal and Courier. 

            Coach Hope doesn't like the metaphor.  He doesn't care what the reporters say.  Someone is watching and that someone is important.  Very important.

            "I think they'll be waiting for us.  They're going to be ready to go," said Coach Hope about the Oregon Ducks. 

            It was hard to miss in the sports news but the Oregon Ducks kicked touted running back LeGarrette Blount from the team following a post game incident where he punched a taunting Boise State player, Byron Hout.  Too harsh?  Talk to a coach.  Talk to a seasoned sports writer.  Permanently booting a player like Blount from the team isn't done for one transgression.  It's usually done as a "last straw" sentence.  Given Blount's on-field pedigree didn't show against Boise State.  The Cougars were tenacious and held the star to 31 yards rushing and the Duck offense to 152 yards!  In fact, Oregon failed to notch a first down until the third quarter.  Not only did Oregon lose the game and its starting running back, it also lost its footing in the AP top 25 rankings.

            According to Coach Danny Hope, two things can happen when a team experiences something what Oregon went through Saturday afternoon:  it either creates a distraction or brings the team together even stronger.  Last season, many people think Purdue was distracted by their double overtime loss to the Ducks.  It's hard to postulate one loss could affect the remaining ten games of a season.  There are many more explanations why Purdue had a bad season last year and those include injuries and a lack of depth.

            Purdue's trip to the "Emerald City" on Saturday isn't about the search for a heart, courage or a brain.  But the Boilermakers will need all three if they want to avenge last year's defeat.  I'm not sure who is responsible for scheduling this one but kick-off goes off at 10:15 PM eastern standard time.  Hope shrugs this off saying the team has to get ready for the game, get on an airplane and get off it like any other place.  Alumni who graduated more than a decade ago might be dragging butt at that time.   Forget about it.  Go down to the clubs in West Lafayette and ask what time the football players show up.  My bet it's well past 10 p.m. and they're still trying to "score" when closing time rolls around after 2 a.m.

            So just how good are the Ducks?  Like Toledo and Purdue, Oregon debuts a new head coach in Chip Kelly, last year's offensive coordinator.  Now, it's not uncommon to speculate about next week's game by looking back to see what a team did last week.  But I do it all the time.  Oregon only managed 44 offensive plays.  Boise State held the ball for over 42 minutes.  Junior quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is very capable and experienced.  However, there won't be a running back in the Duck backfield that has handled a rush this year-Blount did it all last Saturday.  Still, a star like Blount should've done better.  This brings me to question the Duck's offensive line ability.  Still, Purdue's ability to tackle was a bit shaky against Toledo.  Overall, the Boiler-D looks more experienced and should be able to handle Oregon's offense.  Let's see if Oregon's ability to move the ball rests with quick, short passes like Toledo did last week with some success. 

            Defensively, Oregon lost a fair amount of players to graduation.  Boise State might have been limited to just 19 points but the Cougars brought a lot upon themselves.  First game errors cost the Cougars points and Oregon wasn't able to cash in on the mistakes.  By the time the final punch was thrown, the Cougars tallied 361 yards total offense. 

            Coast-to-coast, non-conference games aren't the favorite of any coach unless it's a bowl game.  Pac-10 vs. Big Ten games is what makes or breaks the credibility of the respective conference.  Let's face it, this week all eyes will be on the Ohio State vs. USC game or Michigan vs. Notre Dame.  The radar of sportswriters and sportscasters isn't pointed in the direction of Eugene, Oregon.  Even if it was, the radar operators are going to be tired.  The final gun won't sound until after most newspaper deadlines are closed and regular television programming is substituted for infomercials.   There's no time to report the game so it won't be covered.  The only story line in this game is how Oregon reacts to Blount being cut from the team. 

            Here's a bit of intelligence:  what's going to be missed is another Purdue victory in the second game of the Season of Hope.  Boiler Up, Purdue fans!  But don't shout too loud.  Shhhhhhh....Someone might notice and wonder what all the commotion is about.