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10 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED Keys To The Season 5 The Defense: The Boilermakers look bigger and more physical, especially on the interior of the line and at linebacker. Do they turn that into production? Purdue will have to improve upon their Big Ten-worst third-down percentage and generate more turnovers. 4 The Coach: In Year 3, Darrell Hazell needs to push the right buttons — seems we've heard that before — to get the Boilermakers to pick up wins. He made a tough call on quarterback, the biggest personnel question of camp. But if Purdue finds itself in close games, Hazell will have plenty more to decide. 3 The Crowd: The Boilermaker faithful are in wait-and-see mode, wanting to see whether Purdue will put a competitive product on the field before deciding to come out in support at Ross-Ade. It is understandable. But the Boilermakers early are going to have to deal with a half-empty stadium at home. It's a harsh reality for now. 2 The Quarterback: The preseason debate was will quarterback be a strength or weakness? That'll be on Austin Appleby to decide; if he can be consistently more accurate — that still wasn't always the case during training camp — then maybe he falls more on the positive side of the ledger. 1 The Start: Purdue needs a quick start for a multitude of reasons. The Boilermakers can't afford a gut punch to their fragile psyche; they need to rally their fans; and it'd give them cushion for a difficult slate in October. A record of 3-1 would be great; 2-2 acceptable; anything less? … Well, let's not think of it. — Kyle Charters T O P TOUGH ROAD AHEAD Purdue's sched- ule is ranked by some experts in the top 10 in terms of difficulty. Why? Ten of the 12 opponents in 2015 appeared in postseason a year ago: Marshall W Northern Illinois Boca Raton Bowl Indiana State 2nd Rd FCS Playoffs Virginia Tech W Cincinnati Military Bowl Bowling Green W South Alabama Camellia Bowl Michigan State W Baylor Cotton Bowl Minnesota L Missouri Citrus Bowl Wisconsin W Auburn Outback Bowl Nebraska L USC Holiday Bowl Illinois L Louisiana Tech Heart of Dallas Bowl Iowa L Tennessee Taxslayer Bowl