Season of Hope: Week Three | Boiler Jim's Blog

The bags are packed and the car is gassed ready for the trek north. Destination: West Lafayette where I'll be on hand to watch Purdue take on Northern Illinois.

This week's "Season of Hope" ramblings lacks the typical sage observations of someone who spent one too many college game days along Ross Ade sidelines tossing footballs underhanded to the referee after a play. Well, there was one fall where I sat in the press box scribbling down game statistics and eating free hot dogs!

But that was a quarter century ago and this year's Boilermaker team is one of the better ones I've seen. Last week, Oregon quacked past the Boilers in Eugene by two points, 38-36. Bottom line: erase two mistakes and Purdue wins the game. Not much more can be said. Elliot's throwing was strong and effective. Ralph Bolden's offensive yardage continues to grow at a school-record pace. This week, Bolden again leads the nation in yards rushing. He has a good opportunity to add to it this week against Northern Illinois. According to Hope, Bolden plays hard and is the focal point of the offense. Additionally, he is a pressure valve for a "first year" quarterback who isn't forced to throw on every down.

Unlike the University of Florida Gators, Purdue doesn't have a kitchen pass on non-conference games. If some think Northern Illinois is a scrimmage flavor team to help prepare for Notre Dame, "think again, my friend" as a former IU coach, now sports performer would say. This is a team that almost beat Wisconsin at Madison's Camp Randall Stadium two weeks ago. There were high hopes for the Badgers this year but given last week's two overtime victory against Cal State Fullerton, perhaps they aren't as good on the field as they are on paper.

Northern Illinois is a lot like Purdue. Sophomore quarterback who throws over 65% of the time and took his team to a bowl game is a worthy opponent. Purdue's defensive backfield is banged up right now and will feel some pressure this week. Northern Illinois will certainly score some points. But Purdue will, too. The question is whether or not mistakes and special teams will derail the Boilermakers.

Purdue fans saw something last week that they haven't seen in the past: a rugby style punt. No, it was no mistake. Purdue kickers will be kicking rugby style from time to time. According to Hope, it's all part of the "arsenal". At Tuesday's press conference, Coach Hope explained to reporters how this style of kick led to some unforgettable defeats he suffered in previous games. He said Oregon's ability to return them shouldn't be used as an example that the rugby style kick doesn't work.

I'll be in the Ross Ade stands this weekend. I expect Purdue to win one at home. This is a team full of surprises yet to be seen. Hope says Elliot hasn't thrown the long ball because he hasn't seen a need for it yet. There's a strong arm there but hopefully his misreads and missed cues are reduced. A game where he doesn't turn the ball over will be a career milestone for him.

Boiler Up Purdue Fans. It's time to mush the Huskies in West Lafayette, right out of town and down the Wabash.