2012 Big Ten Previews: Purdue with Hammer and Rails

We’re previewing the upcoming season with help from SBNation. Today, BoilerTMill from Hammer and Rails looks at Purdue.

Purdue will play for a second-consecutive bowl berth in 2012 under head coach Danny Hope. The Boilermakers’ travel to Notre Dame, Ohio State and Iowa, but face their toughest opponents at home. Michigan visits West Lafayette on Oct. 6 for the Big Ten opener. Wisconsin comes to town a week later as Purdue tries to end a six-game losing streak against the Badgers.

2011 Record: 7-6

2011 Bowl: Little Ceasars Pizza Bowl vs. Western Michigan, 37-32

2012 Bowl Projections:

• J.P. Palm (CBS Sports): Ticket City Bowl vs. Toledo
• Phil Steele: Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas vs. Texas Tech

Orlando Bowl History

2004 Capital One Bowl, Loss vs. Georgia, 27-34
2006 Champs Sports Bowl vs. Maryland, 7-24

Q&A with Travis Miller (BoilerTMill) from Hammer & Rails

Describe the 2011 season in two words.

ACL-safe

On paper, what looks like the toughest game this season?

I am going to say Wisconsin. We struggle to match their physicality every year and usually get blasted. Michigan would be next, with the trip to Notre Dame third because those were our three biggest struggles last year. I don’t think we have an answer for Wisconsin’s toughness and their massive offensive line even at home.

Barring injuries, which of the three quarterbacks is most likely to be under center at the end of the season?

I am going to say that it is Caleb TerBush. He has been the most consistent of the three and doesn’t turn the ball over nearly as much as the other two Rob Henry already seems to be a little limited early in camp too, making it a two-man race again between TerBush and Robert Marve. I think Marve has the higher upside, but TerBush is No. 1 for now.

Best case/worst case scenario for the postseason.

Best case: Purdue stuns Wisconsin at Ross-Ade, splits with Michigan/Ohio State, and gets into the Big Ten championship game as the Leader’s Division Champions. Worst case: We’re back in Detroit for the Pizza Bowl.

Does Purdue Pete always listen to Lady Gaga’s “Telephone” when he works out?

I really hope not.

Thanks to Travis and Hammer & Rails for their help with this one.

Big Ten Previews