The Sporting News Top 25 Countdown
#22 Purdue
By Mark Craig
For The Sporting News
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Tom's Take
The defense finally may get its due. Keep an eye on what should be a menacing linebacking corps. The offense hopes key personnel is done with growing pains, especially along the line. If QB Kyle Orton gets time to work and the receivers and running backs make the routine plays, all should be fine.
Offensive backfield
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Receivers
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Offensive line
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Defensive line
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Linebackers
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Secondary
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(maximum rating four stars)
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Purdue coach: Joe Tiller
Offensive philosophy: QB Brandon Hance transferred to USC because he didn't want to compete with Kyle Orton, who supplanted him as the starter in the final three games of last season. Orton, a sophomore, can't run like Hance, but other than fewer designed running plays for the quarterback, Joe Tiller's offense won't change much. Tiller likes to spread the field and throw the ball. The Boilermakers say they want to use some two-back sets with Jacob Rowe, Jon Goldsberry or maybe Brandon Jones at fullback in front of TB Montrell Lowe, but Tiller wasn't pleased with how the offense executed in that look and says he won't use it unless things improve.
Foes might suspect Purdue won't use the tight end as much with Tim Stratton, the school's all-time leader in receptions, gone. But expect offensive coordinator Jim Chaney to call on sophomore Mike Rhinehart. He's a huge target and much faster than Stratton was. Although Rhinehart, who arrived on campus as a quarterback, caught only two passes last season, he can be a threat in the passing game. And don't count out redshirt freshman Charles Davis, another big target who impressed in the offseason. He could provide oomph as a blocker.
Offensive stars: Every year, the Boilermakers figure they might have someone better than Lowe at running back. Every year, he proves them wrong. This season is no different, although speedy backup Joey Harris likely will get more carries. Harris is an exciting player and more of a big-play threat than Lowe. But Lowe has been a steady influence on the offense the last three seasons, leading the team in rushing in each. All three starting receivers are back, including sophomore Taylor Stubblefield, who led the team with 64 catches for 714 yards.
Defensive philosophy: Although the defense is undersized, the players are quick to the ball and skilled at blitzing. LBs Joe Odom, Niko Koutouvides and Landon Johnson are small but hard to block. That's one reason the Boilermakers ranked third against the run (126.9) in the Big Ten last season despite not having any 300-pounders (or 290-pounders, for that matter) on the line. The secondary also has a knack for getting to the ball.
Defensive stars: Stuart Schweigert is the best returning free safety in the Big Ten and one of the best in the nation. He was second in the conference in interceptions with six last season. His 11 career interceptions tie him for first in school annals. Odom, a fifth-year senior, is the fastest defensive player on the team, which is rare for a middle linebacker. Because of that, Odom was moved to outside linebacker, where his speed will be better utilized. Koutouvides moved from the outside to fill Odom's old spot.
Another linebacker to watch is Gilbert Gardner. He sustained a badly broken leg last season and won't be 100 percent when the season begins. There's a chance Gardner might redshirt. Junior Shaun Phillips doesn't have the size of a typical Big Ten end, but he's an athletic player who gets to the ball. He tied for the Big Ten lead in fumble recoveries (four) last season and registered six sacks.
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