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Purdue is looking for a quick turnaround after their worst Big 10 season in recent memory. In fact, they missed out on bowl action last year for the first time since 1996. Coach Joe Tiller has signed 11 junior college players to help get some experience in a hurry. Purdue should make some big strides in 2006.

The Boilermakers won just 3 Big 10 games last season, but you should expect a 2-3 game improvement. Coach Joe Tiller and his staff are excited about QB Curtis Painter who took over the starting job last season against Wisconsin in Purdue's 7th game as Tiller wasn't happy with Kirsch's play. Not only does Painter possess one of the strongest arms in the Big 10, he is very poised like former Purdue great Kyle Orton, and can also run the triple option.

With a pair of 6'4'' receivers in Selwyn Lymon and Greg Orton along with last season's leading Big 10 receiver with 80 catches Dorien Bryant, the Boilermakers' spread offense should be a tough puzzle to get to the bottom of for opposing defenses. Lymon and Orton will have mismatches on the outside against every corner in the league and there might not be a better slot receiver in the country that Bryant.

All the expected offensive production may be all for not if Purdue's defense can't do a better job at getting stops. Last season, a defense which returned 10 defensive starters gave up 500 or more yards in 6 different games. Their secondary is their biggest weak spot and last season they couldn't find a cure for the injury bug. Torri Williams has been talked of in the same breath as former Purdue standout Rod Woodson, but he can't stay on the field. He missed last season because of a broken leg and he missed much of this season's spring practices with a back injury. But even if he is healthy, teams will still take advantage of corner back Zach Logan who just doesn't have enough size to get the job done every play. The Boilermakers will try to get help from junior college transfer Brandon Blackmon who will likely roam around at the free safety position.

Where the offensive line may be the most solid it's ever been under Tiller, the defensive line is lacking. They have just 4 career starts between them. They will desperately need help from junior college transfer Mike McDonald and red shirt frosh Keyon Brown. Hopefully these guys can give Purdue the speed they need coming off the end to put pressure on opposing QB's. Teams will likely run all over Purdue with their lack of size up front. The defensive obviously has some question marks, but Purdue will get back to a bowl in 2006. I like the Boilermakers to finish 5th in the Big 10 behind Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio State mostly because their schedule affords them the luxury of not having to play Michigan or Ohio State.

About the Author

Jimmy Boyd is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at www.procappers.com/Jimmy_Boyd.htm