IllustrateD volume 25, issue 1 17
f
I
repeat: Purdue will be bet-
ter this season. Bold asser-
tion, I know, considering the
standard for "better" in this
case would qualify simply as a
win over a FBS opponent and
semi-regular touchdowns.
But I mean it: Purdue will
be an improved team in 2014 by many
measures.
If for no other reason, it'll be made
better, however cosmetically maybe, by
its schedule, a far more favorable one
than last season's.
Understand here that suggesting
any Big Ten schedule to be "easy"
doesn't fly, not when you're in the po-
sition Purdue's in right now. There are
no pillow fights in this league, not even
against some of the league's other ap-
parent featherweights.
"Easy" is a bad term; "favorable" is
better, and this season's path is more
favorable.
The first step is for Purdue to just ex-
perience some success, any at all, and
this schedule is set up
for that, it being a clear
reflection of the situa-
tion right now to note
that games against,
yes, Western and Cen-
tral Michigan can be
considered among the
most important games
of the modern era for
this program.
Last year's schedule
set Purdue up for fail-
ure. This year's sets it
up for success, which
comes with pressure.
Purdue can't afford
to lose to a directional school
during non-conference play,
not only from a win-count per-
spective but also from a morale
standpoint.
Lose at home to Western
Michigan, a grease fire of a
team last season that'll start
freshmen all over the field, and Pur-
due's tires might get slashed before it's
even backed out of the driveway, figura-
tively speaking.
Ditto for Central Michigan a week
later.
Dispose of both those former bowl
opponents from the MAC, though, and
maybe this group is heartened by early
success as much as last year's was dis-
heartened by early failures.
This should be a very different team
with a very different personality, but
success inevitably breeds success,
right?
What is success for Purdue this sea-
son?
Obviously, it lies in the eye of the be-
holder.
In the eye of this beholder: A 3-1 start
is needed — and can reasonably be ex-
pected — and a Big Ten win or two or
three would be great, with any more
probably being parade-worthy.
Keep in mind, 1-11 doesn't reverse
itself overnight. But really, I think you
know progress when you see it.
Purdue has to win games this sea-
son, but also look like it belongs on the
field in the games it doesn't.
I've seen practice, but I don't know
what to expect.
There are too many guys on this
team slated to play crucial roles who've
not yet done much of anything.
And they're seniors.
Ryan Russell's bust for Purdue's
"Den of Defensive Ends" was practical-
ly being forged a few years ago, product
of some exaggerated advance billing
— this column very much part of it —
and a few good games early in his ca-
reer. That career has reached its final
quarter and Russell has seven sacks
Trent Johnson, Agent
Coming this fall to a computer
or mobile device near you!
Special guest athletic director Morgan Burke
Gold and Black LIVE
featuring the staff of GoldandBlack.com
Interactive live video-stream sports talk show — ask questions,
chat with other fans! Show will stream live on WLFI.com on selected Fridays during football
and basketball season. For complete schedule, visit the college page on WLFI.com.
first show 2 p.m. aug. 29
Much To Prove
f r o m e d i t o r b r i a n n e u b e r t
