OSU should be #1. They gave the Texas game away. Being at home against them gives us a chance to beat them if we avoid turnovers and keep Smith relatively in check. I believe we are as good or better than them in the trenches so we'll see.
Playing 16 games last season actually set us back quite a bit. Cignetti has mentioned it several times. The physical toll on the players is immense. Football is different and more games is not better for the athletes.
For all the negatively that has surrounded her from segments of the faculty, she has been the saviour of the football program. I'd say that alone makes her tenure a resounding success.
You are correct. He missed significant time at PSU last year after having, I think, a pretty good year before. I can't think of much that would keep him out two seasons and not be fixable with surgery.
I'm in a first c!@$$ seat on the hate all things Purdue train, but until they figure out how to pay-to-play in today's world they are a sinking ship. I don't necessarily like the current landscape, but it is reality and you either embrace it or you die.
A lot of what happens with football teams (and basketball teams) comes down to key injuries. We've been fortunate the last couple of years. We are four games in and we are already down two thirds of our projected running back room. If we can withstand this until we get them back, maybe we will be stronger to finish the season. Hoover needs to be the guy he can be and lead us through the hard times. We are still undefeated and all of our goals are still in front of us.
He also said Marsh didn't start last week for a reason. He didn't comment further. To me at least, Cig seems different with this team than with the last two. I fully trust our coach but so far I don't see Hoover making the throws we are used to seeing.