Going Bowling?

With the loss this past weekend to Notre Dame, the Boilers dropped their season record to 2-2. I know it’s still early in the season, but it’s never too early to be talking about bowl berths. To qualify for a bowl these days you need at least six wins and even then you are not guaranteed anything. With this season being Coach Tiller’s last it would be terrible if the Boilers missed out on a bowl, but with the team only having two wins entering Big Ten play, things do not look promising. Here’s a preview of the games to come for Purdue:

Oct. 4 vs. Penn State: This coming weekend brings the sixth ranked Nittany Lions into West Lafayette. This is probably the best team that Purdue has played so far and I don’t expect much from the Boilermakers. Pulling off a win here seems highly unlikely even with the game being at home. However, this college football season has been filled with many upsets and no game is a guarantee. With that being said I still think Penn State will be too much for the Boilers to handle. Predicted Outcome: Loss

Oct. 11 @ “The” Ohio State University: This game also looks to be a tough one for the Boilermakers. Not only do they have to play at the “Shoe”, but they also have to play an offense that is going keep getting better as the season goes on. The Boilers haven’t beaten a ranked team since 2003 and I don’t see that changing here. Predicted Outcome: Loss

Oct. 18 @Northwestern: Usually when I look at the schedule and I see Northwestern, I think automatic win. Unfortunately I can’t say that this year as the Wildcats are 5-0 and coming off a huge win against Iowa. This squad is definitely improved from last year, but the idea of Northwestern actually being good is one that I can’t seem to grasp. I think the Boilers can win this game, but by no means will it be a gimme. If the Boilers want to make a bowl berth they are going to have to win a road game and this is a victory I think they are capable of. Predicted Outcome: Win

Oct. 25 vs. Minnesota: Another improved squad this year is Minnesota. The Golden Gophers suffered their first loss of the season this past weekend, but have already surpassed their win total from a year ago. This is the Homecoming game for Purdue and I think the Boilers will protect their home turf. However, if the Boilers lose this game their chances of making a postseason appearance will diminish. Predicted Outcome: Win

Nov. 1 vs. Michigan: This team just has me confused. At the beginning of the year they flat out stunk, starting the year 1-2. Their offense was atrocious and their quarterback play was worse than fudge mixed with tartar sauce. Then all of a sudden this past weekend they beat ninth ranked Wisconsin. I’m still not convinced Michigan is as good as they looked against Wisconsin and with Purdue playing at home, I like the Boilers in this one. Predicted Outcome: Win

Nov. 8 @Michigan St.: The Spartans are having a great start to their season and are led by Heisman candidate Javon Ringer. They look to be a very tough matchup for the Boilers for a couple reasons. First of all the Purdue run defense has not been very good this year and all the Spartans do is run the ball. Combine this with the fact that this game is on the road and things don’t look promising for the Boilers in this one. Predicted Outcome: Loss

Nov. 15 @Iowa: This is a game that I think could go either way. The Boilers beat the Hawkeyes pretty badly last year, but with the game being on the road, this year could be different. If Purdue loses their matchup with Northwestern, this would be a must win road game. I don’t think the Boilers can beat both Iowa and Northwestern on the road so I’m picking them to lose here. Predicted Outcome: Loss

Nov. 22 vs. Indiana: The battle for the Old Oaken Bucket will have big implications for Purdue this year. If my predictions hold true Purdue will have a 5-6 record coming into this game. Remember you need at six wins to qualify for a bowl so not only will the Boilers be playing for the Old Oaken Bucket, but they will be playing for a possible postseason berth as well. Indiana’s dual-threat quarterback Kellen Lewis always presents problems for a defense, but I think Purdue avenges last year’s loss with a victory in the season finale. Predicted Outcome: Win

Conclusion: With my predictions the Boilers will end their season with a 6-6 record. This qualifies them for a bowl, but doesn’t promise them anything. The keys to winning six games will be protecting home field and stealing a win on the road. If the Boilers can do these things a bowl berth may be possible. If they fail, Coach Tiller will end his career by missing a bowl for only the second time in his twelve years at Purdue.