(NOTE:  This blog is written for the Purdue Club of South Florida, http://www.boilersonthebeach.com/ and reprinted HERE.  Some content may apply for alumni club members only.)

It's been an insane college football season so far.  Who could've imagined Michigan losing to Appalachian State or Notre Dame being winless going into the 6^th week of the season?  Maybe the craziest story in football left to write is Purdue's undefeated 2007 season?    Don't consider it out of the question especially after a weekend where seven of the nation's top 13 teams lost.  If you remotely follow Purdue football, I don't have to tell you the real football season begins Saturday when the Buckeyes come to Ross Ade.

First, let's try to recall Saturday afternoon.  Purdue's victory over Notre Dame left Boiler faithful shaking heads about how the Irish managed to get back into the game after being 23 points behind at half time.  Experiences like this help shape a team.  Purdue hasn't been "pressured" to perform this season.  However, the offensive meltdown is attributed to "self administered pressure" to score touchdowns instead of field goals explained Curtis Painter and Korey Sheets after the game.  The Irish deserve some credit.  Notre Dame played competitive football in the second half and made some good plays to keep things interesting.  It wasn't until the Irish shrunk there deficit to seven points when the Boiler offense settled down and focused on execution.  Once they did that, the season's fifth victory was sealed.  Sound no alarms or whistles.  Put away the distress flags.  This was a rivalry game and a win is a win.  Notre Dame scored on good plays.  More importantly, Purdue defenders were there on the play.  Touchdown passes could just as easily been incomplete or intercepted.  It was that close. 

The Big Ten's most predictable and unsurprising team, "the" Ohio State Buckeyes, return to the schedule after a two year hiatus.  The Bucknuts are unsurprising because unlike other Big Ten teams, it's doing what it does naturally:  win.  Despite not playing Purdue for the best two years, its unlikely Coach Jim Tressel forgot his last visit to Ross Ade where Purdue dumped the Buckeyes 24-17.  Tiller probably doesn't forget his last trip to Columbus, either.  Purdue lost in overtime, 16-13.  Just like me and my ex-wife, an Ohio State grad, a seemingly perfect match can make for a lot of drama remembered for years.  Fortunately in football or my case, neither side pays alimony. 

Ohio State will be facing an offense stronger as any they've faced this season. You can say they've had an easy slate though Akron gave them a run for the money.  Likewise, the Purdue offense hasn't run across a defense like the one they'll see this weekend.   Any continued 100-yard game performances by Purdue's Korey Sheets and Ohio State running back Chris Wells will have to be earned.  Pick a card, any card.  As with Minnesota, the team making the least amount of mistakes stands the best chance of winning.  Prognosticators declare this game will be the biggest game in the Big Ten this year.  Pass the Milk of Magnesia because nothing is regular this year.  The way things are going, the Old Oaken Bucket game will mean more than the Ohio State-Michigan game. 

"Today" is the Boilermaker word of the week.  According to Tiller, the team is focused on "Today" and not looking forward to Saturday's game.  Purdue is focusing on the task at hand, preparing for Saturday night's main event, under the lights.  Purdue lost focus after half time in their last three games.  Maintaining focus may be the biggest thing requiring improvement nearly half way through the season. 

This is an insane football season.  Let's hope Purdue can keep things crazy in the Big Ten by beating Ohio State on Saturday.  Rumor has it there is a good alumni party near Pompano.  Drop Dick Stevens an email if you're interested.

Boiler Up!  Beat the Buckeyes!