FanNation - The Republic of Sport

(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.)

Misery loves company or should it be company makes misery a bit more tolerable? 

Dick Stevens' Pompano Beach paradise was Saturday's night place to be if you couldn't be in West Lafayette.  Regardless of where you saw last Saturday's game, it was painful to watch Purdue get stifled each time they tried to move the ball.  The only direction that seemed to work was backwards.  Undoubtedly, Ohio State gave Purdue the toughest game so far and probably the toughest they'll see the rest of the year.  The Boilermakers were averaging 45.4 points, 309.8 passing yards and 186 rushing yards before Saturday's debacle. Against Ohio State, Purdue rushed 17 times for 4 yards, and quarterback Curtis Painter completed 31 of 60 passes for 268 yards and one touchdown, which came with only 10 seconds remaining. 

But with every black shirt worn, there was some gold stitching.  Ohio State tallied just 217 yards and only three field goals after going ahead by 17 points with 10:21 left in the second quarter.  Do the "what-if's" if you want.  What if the defense played the same during the first 20 minutes?  What if the offense opened up a bit more?  Go ahead...what if?  It might make you feel better.  Not me. 

What makes me feel better is thinking there is a next week.  Purdue travels north to Ann Arbor-my hometown-to tame the Wolverines at the Big House.  I have many great memories of working at the stadium as a kid, sneaking in under fences, and even a times when Michigan games weren't sold out (we got free tickets for being on the Safety Patrol in third grade).  I have no memory of Purdue ever winning in Ann Arbor.  This year might be different.

Rather than enter the NFL draft early, big name Michigan players like running back Michael Hart, quarterback Chad Henne, and receiver Mario Manningham returned to campus this season not for an education but to win a national championship.  Those dreams disappeared on the first day of the football season thanks to Appalachian State.  Still, Michigan joins Ohio State and Illinois in a trio of conference teams with no Big Ten losses.  This isn't a typical year for Michigan and recent games forecast a fighting chance for Purdue.  In last week's game against Eastern Michigan, the Wolverines gave up a lot of yardage in the first half but managed to wake up in the second.  Sound familiar?  Though Michigan won buy 11 points (the spread was 37) it was still a win.  Don't think it reflected a lack of talent.  Ten starters sat out for a variety of injury and disciplinary reasons including Mario Manningham who rode the bench for a "team rules" violation.  Injuries continue to be a big concern for Coach Carr provides a vulnerability for Purdue to take advantage of.  Remarkably, Purdue starters have remained relatively healthy with the exception of Jaycen Taylor. 

Ann Arbor and the "Big House" is unfamiliar territory for many Boilermakers on this year's squad.  The last time Purdue played in Ann Arbor was 2003 where the Wolverines totally dominated and won 31-3.  Whether or not the Boilers suffer stage fright in front of 110,000 fans will determine the outcome early.  Michigan's defense was riddled by Northwestern's spread offense.  Four Wildcat turnovers including one that was converted into a late 4^th quarter Michigan touchdown cost Northwestern the victory. 

This week's game will be carried by the infamous "Big Ten Network."  This means that unless you have a satellite, a sports bar or Dick Stevens' house is your best bet.  The Big Ten conference isn't close to closing a deal with Comcast so many Big Ten alumni are making friends with bartenders they never knew.  The idea of the Big Ten network was a good one but poorly executed.  No doubt the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big 12 and Southeastern Conference are taking notes.  If you can't remember the last time Purdue beat Michigan in Ann Arbor, this might leave a more lasting memory.   Michigan isn't ranked and Purdue can't seem to beat a ranked team. 

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