JR’s top 25 - #14 Purdue

By J.R. Hopwood  |   Tuesday, August 09, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
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Last year the Purdue Boilermakers were looking good, starting 5-0 and establishing a #5 ranking. Then Wisconsin came to West Lafayette and things were never the same for the Boiler Makers. QB Kyle Orton fumbled late and Wisconsin returned it for a TD. Purdue tried a field goal with 24 seconds left but it was missed. The Purdue Boilermakers lost that game by 3 points and proceeded to go on a huge nosedive, losing to Michigan, Northwestern, and Iowa. By the time they beat Ohio State it was too late. Purdue settled for a Sun Bowl birth, and lost that as well to Arizona State.

Orton is gone now and in comes Brandon Kirsch. Kirsch has game experience throwing for 1805 yards and 16 TDs over his career here. This year the team is all his and he should rise to the occasion, although he will not match Orton's numbers from last year. The top 2 rushers return in Void and Jones, although they only combined for just over 1000 yards. Top receiver Taylor Stubblefield is gone, but most of the receiving corps is back and should be strong.

The defense returns 11 starters from last year, yes all 11. DE Ray Edwards was #2 in the Big 10 in sacks and Purdue returns their top 10 tacklers. Look for increased production over last years 40th ranked unit.

This Purdue team is strong, and even has a shot at a Big 10 title. Further helping this team will be a schedule that is missing Michigan and Ohio State. If Brandon Kirsch can continue the play he has shown in the past the Purdue Boilermakers should improve over last year's 7-5 record.
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