No matter how bad, or how good your team was the year before we all start to think "well, if this happens and this happens we may have an even better season than last year!". This is your thread to do just that with immunity.

Why Purdue could be a lot better:
1) Last season they were a completely different team for the first half and second half. They started 1-5 and obviously struggled. Even with that, they still ended up losing 4 of those 5 games by a touchdown or less. I'd like to think that part of that was the change in direction of the program and that it took a while for the team to "get it".
2) They beat Ohio State and Michigan in the same year. I know Michigan isn't very good but that's tough to do any year.
3) Robert Marve is getting very high reviews and is the most talented QB they've had since Orton and probably better. You don't win Mr. Football in Florida without having talent.
4) Keith Smith is our most NFL ready WR prospect since I've been a fan. I think he'll have a really good season. It's interesting that a pass happy system like Purdue has been unable to get any player to get more than a few catches in the NFL. I think that changes with Smith.
5) The second half of the season Purdue was a much improved team and I think it was a more accurate reflection of the actual team they are.

I will be disappointed if they don't win at least 8 games next year.
My schedule breakdown:
Near locks for wins:
Western Illinois
Ball State
Toledo
Confident they will win:
Indiana
Illinois
Probably win:
Minnesota
Michigan(still not buying the hype)
Toss up:
Notre Dame
Northwestern
Surprised if they win:
Michigan State
Not going to win:
Wisconsin
Ohio State

I predict 8-5.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I'll save mine for a bit later, but I'd say that is a pretty impressive jump, BR. That being said, if Marve can click into Hope's system there is no reason why you guys can't do very well.

It's not really that impressive a jump as they were 5-7 last year, with a pretty big upset loss to a MAC team which isn't going to happen very often and Oregon coming off the schedule and replaced by a team that is much worse.

My 8 win expectation assumes that a 7-5 Purdue team would play in a supbar bowl game and I'd expect a win.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

With 3 years in the system, Dan Persa takes the reigns. ALthough only 6 feet tall, he can run better than Kafka and is a smart, efficient passer. A rejiggered Offensive line is experienced and deeper than its ever been. Not a fast, but great possession receivers to run the spread efficiently. Defensive line is healthy for a change, led by potential pro prospect Corbin Bryant (move over Adrian Clayborn). Loss of Wootton doesn't hurt because he was never 100% last year. Linebackers are better than they've ever been. DBs are potential weak spot, but have experience. All in all, I'm actually more excited than I've ever been for NU football.

W - Vanderbilt - starting off at an away SEC game is normally tough... but this is Vandy
W - Illinois St. - just the size of the difference in the O and D line should tell you something
W - Rice - Owls haven't been relevant in some time
W- Central Michigan - CMU is in a rebuilding year, particularly after losing their star QB and I think their RB is hurt
W - Minnesota - Unless Weber can attain his 2008 greatness (w/o Decker), their defense is just too porous and new
W - Purdue - Big night game. Cats will be pumped. We can't count on turnovers like last year, but both our lines are improved and I think our Spread will give Hope's defense fits
W - Michigan State - Toss up game
W - Indiana - Chappell's maturity could make this one tougher than it seems
L - Penn State - Hard to play at State College and Royster will overcompensate for QBs inexperience
W - Ioa - We always steal their "W"... 'nuff said
W - Illinois - Wrigley game. Statement game. We're ranked. And the Illini inexperience hurts them in the end
L - Wisconsin - Madison is a tough place to play. I think whoever is healthier at this point of the season wins.

... and then we win our first bowl game since 1949

11-2 with a BCS win can't be topped unless it's 13-0 and a Mythical NC

Enjoy guys

Maybe this year you can win the Big Ten!

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

This is an optimistic thread, right? Truth is we'll probably lose to Io_a. And Purdue and Michigan State are toss ups. We should beat Minny and Illinois and Indiana, but hey this is NU... nothing is guaranteed.

The most optimistic Hawkeye fan would say 10-0 come November 20th with a chance to go for it all against OSU. The defense should be tremendous. Clayborn will eat quarterbacks. Ballard will screw up the middle of offensive lines across the country like Suh did last year. Stanzi will throw for 3000 yards, 25 TDs and no INT (BWAHAHAHA). Hampton/Robinson/Wegher combine for 2500 yards, 20 TDs

I expect IU to have a decent season, they have a good core group of guys back. But they still have the Boob running the show, so that always has to be factored in. Since this is talking yourself into your team being better, then here is how I see things going.

Sept. 2: vs. Towson W

Sept. 18: at Western Kentucky W

Sept. 24: vs. Akron W

Oct. 2: vs. Michigan W

Oct. 9: at Ohio State L

Oct. 16: vs. Arkansas State W

Oct. 23: at Illinois W

Oct. 30: vs. Northwestern W

Nov. 6: vs. Iowa L

Nov. 13 at Wisconsin L

Nov. 20: vs. Penn State at Landover, Md. L

Nov. 27: at Purdue W

That would put them at 8-4. I know, no way that happens, but a guy can dream.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

Notre Dame

Most of our top recruits are still alive!

...and your coach can fly on a plane while only buying a single ticket.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Stanzi staying healthy will be big. They will run well like usual, and the defense will be a monster.

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The offensive line is rebuilt. That is the big concern. You have three guys on the line that got game experience laast year. They are trying to have a new RT and C that haven't played any meaningful time.

I'm still trying to clear my head from last season's Northwestern bowl loss.
That game still eats at me. It was one of the most entertaining sporting events I ever watched but the outcome made me sick.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Me too. I was told they replayed that on one of the ESPN channels. I couldn't bring myself to watch it again. It was a blast to be there, though. Auburn fans came away impressed with our program, which is saying alot considering they think they are part of the elite SEC teams (which they aren't).

The offense finished strong last year, averaging 38 points per game in the last 5. They even won 2 of those games!

Illinois returns a tremendous rushing game with Ford and LeShoure to the team that 17th in country in rushing last year.

Running game should take some of the heat off Scheelhaase, who by all reports is a tremendous runner himself.

The defense will be improved with the return of Martez Wilson and maybe Miami Thomas, combined with experience from a young squad. They have talented athletes on the defensive side of the ball so if Petrino can get them together with an excellent running game, they could be tough team to face.

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You know me like that.

Saw this on our QB Dan Persa. Io_a chick in background is a nice touch.