More than 80 years have past since the Boilermakers of Purdue won the Big Ten title in 1929. It appears it will be 81 years after this season. Having lost 6 starters on offense and 5 on defense, some think that would be an improvement for them, but losing starting QB Joey Elliott will be hard to make up. He had a 61.7 completion rate, threw for 3026 yards and 22 touchdowns. They also lost their top three rushers including Ralph Bolden a 1000 yard gainer last year with a 4.7 yard per carry average. On defense they lose their top tackler in Tom Williams They went 5-7 last year averaging 27.8 points per game which will most likely not be matched this year with loss of Elliott. There are some high expectations at the QB position with the recent Miami transfer Robert Marve who had 11 starts with Miami in 2008 and threw for 1293 yards. But because of the one year wait period for tranfers, he has been out of football since '08 which puts a big question mark on his current condition and sharpness. The Boilermakers could get to the 6 win plateau this season but the start off non-conference at Notre Dame who they have beaten only once in the last 12 meetings. They get a break in week two, three and four. Their second game they host Western Illinois who is 0-10 against BCS teams. Week three they have Ball St who they have a 7-0 record against in the last 7 meetings and then Toledo who the Boilermakers have won 11 of 12 meetings…after that it starts to get ugly. Upcoming the have at Minnesota, Ohio St, at Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Michigan St and Indiana. I can see a possible at Minnesota and Illinois and Indiana which would give them a 6-6 record on the season. They did get somewhat of a scheduling break as the don't have to face Iowa or Penn State this year. They finished 7th in the conference last season and I can see them moving up maybe one spot and finishing 6th.

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