Purdue is looking for a quick turnaround after its worst Big 10 season in recent memory. In fact, they missed bowl action last year for the first time since 1996. Coach Joe Tiller has signed 11 college players to help them get some experience quickly. Purdue should make big strides in 2006.

The Boilermakers won just 3 Big 10 games last season, but you should expect a 2-3 game improvement. Coach Joe Tiller and his staff are excited about quarterback Curtis Painter, who took over the starting job last season against Wisconsin in Purdue’s Game 7, as Tiller wasn’t happy with Kirsch’s play. Painter not only possesses one of the strongest arms in the Big 10, but is also very balanced like former Purdue great Kyle Orton, and can also run the triple option.

With a pair of 6-foot-4 receivers in Selwyn Lymon and Greg Orton along with last season’s Big 10 receiver leader with 80 catches Dorien Bryant, the Boilermakers’ extended offense should be a tough puzzle for defenses to solve. rivals. Lymon and Orton will have mismatches on the outside against every corner of the league and there may not be a better slot receiver in the country than Bryant.

All the expected offensive production may be worthless if Purdue’s defense can’t do a better job of stopping. Last season, a defense that returned 10 defensive starters gave up 500 or more yards in 6 different games. His side is his biggest weakness and last season they couldn’t find a cure for the injury bug. Torri Williams has been talked about at the same time as former Purdue standout Rod Woodson, but he can’t stay on the field. He missed last season with a broken leg and missed much of spring practice this season with a back injury. But even if he’s healthy, teams will continue to take advantage of cornerback Zach Logan, who just doesn’t have the size to get the job done on every play. The Boilermakers will try to get help from college transfer junior Brandon Blackmon, who will likely roam free safety.

Where the offensive line may be the strongest it’s ever been under Tiller, the defensive line is lacking. They have just 4 career starts between them. They will desperately need the help of junior college transfer Mike McDonald and redshirt player Keyon Brown. Hopefully these guys can give Purdue the speed they need coming off the end to pressure opposing QBs. Teams are likely to run over Purdue with their lack of size up front. The defense obviously has some question marks, but Purdue will be back to a bowl in 2006. I like that the Boilermakers finish fifth in the Big 10 behind Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Ohio State mainly because their schedule allows them the luxury of not having to play at Michigan or Ohio State.