2008 Purdue Boilermakers
July 16, 2008
Coach Joe Tiller has already announced he will be retiring after the 2008 season after posting an 83-54 record in 11 seasons at Purdue. Tiller’s ball clue posted a solid 8-5 record last season after winning a thriller in the Motor City Bowl over Central Michigan by a final of 51-48. Let’s see how this team will send Tiller out with Info Plays 2008 Purdue Boilermakers football predictions below.
Offense:
Tiller has the luxury of returning his three-year starter at quarterback. Curtis Painter could be the Big Ten’s top quarterback in 2008. He’s already primed to become the Big Ten’s all-time leading passer, needing 3,030 yards to break former Purdue great Drew Brees’ record of 11,792 passing yards. From throwing 22 touchdowns to 19 interceptions as a sophomore, Painter improved on that ratio greatly last season by throwing 29 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions in his junior season. Purdue utilized the no-huddle offense to perfection in a 51-48 win over Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl. Expect the Boilermakers to use this style of offense in their game plan more often in 2008 after spending a significant amount of time practicing the no-huddle in the spring.
Painter will have only one returning wide receiver with experience. Greg Orton has caught 125 passes the last two season and will be the go-to guy in Purdue. Brandon Whittington and Joe Whitest had good springs. Junior college transfer Aaron Valentin and converted QB/Safety Keith Smith will also fight for playing time. Senior running backs Jaycen Taylor and Kory Sheets have combined for more than 1,000 yards rushing for two straight seasons. The concern will be on the offensive line. Tackle Sean Sester and guards Zach Reckman and Zach Jones are the three returning starters. All three are recovering from surgeries and missed spring practice.
Defense:
The starters on the front seven look solid, but they must find depth at linebacker and end. Purdue has four talented, veteran starters at tackle in Alex Magee, Ryan Baker, Mike Neal and Jermain Guynn. Baker and Magee are the best of the group and will be the early favorites to start. The Boilermakers are only expected to have four Big Ten-quality linebackers. Anthony Heygood will be the only returning starter. After converting over to the defense from running back two seasons ago, Heygood finished second on the team with 81 tackles last year.
Jason Werner has recovered from injury and is expected to start opposite Heygood on the outside. Tiller has labeled Werner as the Boilermakers’ best linebacker. Junior Kevin Green has a good spring and hopes to take over at middle linebacker to round out the starters here. The secondary has plenty of talent and depth, but injuries are a major concern. Safety Torri Williams has been cleared to play after being sidelined the last three years with a broken leg, shattered knee and torn Achilles. There are two other safeties with starting experience in Brandon King and Brandon Erwin, but both are recovering from surgery. Cornerbacks David Pender and Royce Williams have starting experience. Sophomores Josh McKinley and Charlton Williams show the most potential in the secondary.
Purdue Boilermakers Predictions at Info Plays: 8th in the Big Ten
Purdue will have all the motivation in the world this season. They understand what coach Joe Tiller has meant to this program and they’ll want to send him out with a bang. Having a veteran quarterback will make that possible, but there might be too many holes in the lineup to reek too much havoc in the Big Ten. Another bowl berth can be expected as Tiller coaches his last game before turning the reigns over to Danny Hope.
