Welcome to the Anti-Preview for Purdue. First off, I have to apologize to all of you that look forward to this feature. This is going to be lightning quick this week. The Move has took a bit of time, and I can’t devote as much work this week on the Anti-Preview as I usually do. My bad. Hell, I haven’t even had a chance to change the image (no longer blogspot).
So let’s get this party started…
Purdue. Ahh Purdue. The middle child of Indiana. Forgotten about during football season- and then forgotten come basketball season. They have a bit of a boulder chip on their shoulder as The Fighting Irish come into town for a night game. After being embarrassed by Northern Illinois, Purdue will be looking for some redemption. It’s kind of sad really. No more Tiller. I can’t make any oatmeal, insurance, or DIABEETUS jokes. Sad, really.
Do you remember what happened the last time Notre Dame played Purdue at night at Purdue? Here ya go…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js6RbB1fARw&w=425&h=344]
What should you be drinking? Keeping with the “anti” theme… FUCK a Boilermaker. No not some skeez in Windsor Hall, but the drink. We’re Irish- keep it Irish. Irish Carbombs…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JymxjLDKC8s&w=425&h=344]
What the fuck was that? The wrong way kids- it figures coming from a Miami kid. First, use 3/4 of a pint. Wuss. Second, make the whiskey 3/4 of a shot and top off with Baily’s. Wuss. Third, drink it like you got a pair. That took an hour to consume- he’s an embarrassment. I know all of you can do better. What a wuss.
What should you be eating? Well, this is Indiana- grab some corn and fire up the grill. Grill the corn inside of the husks using the same temperature as this main dish, that should be accompanying it…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik9ZhwqlQ5o&w=425&h=344]
What should you be wearing? For some reason, I always think of rain when I think of this series- particularly in West Lafayette. So, I shouldn’t be surprised at this. Go ahead and break out the rain gear like these typical Boilermaker fans:
Offensive MVP: As much as I think Notre Dame will run its normal offense, even without Michael Floyd, I think with the possible rain and, ahem, no Floyd… Armando Allen could be not just a big factor, but a HUGE factor. Allen will see his normal carries, but what he does out of the “Wild Leprechaun” could be special.
Defensive MVP: Remember that these “predictions” are generally a wish list. Keep that in mind when you hear this name… Ian Williams. The defensive line is taking most of the wrath that I and others are dishing out when it comes to the Notre Dame defense. Ian needs to be that guy on the defensive front that breaks through this week and turns out a big performance. His goal should be destruction on every snap.
Sleeper: I’ll throw out a name that has been circulating more frequently since Floyd went down. Robby Parris. I don’t talk about him much and I think that Walker, Evans, and Goodman have more talent- but Parris could end up having a huge game as the Boiler secondary will have their hands full with Tate, Kamara, and Rudolph. Parris could sneak in another TD- or catch those all important 3rd down receptions. Just saying.
Something else to watch for: The elements. Plain and simple. How will this dynamic offense operate in poor conditions- if it comes to that? Can Jonas Gray hold onto the football when it”s wet? The kicking game has been so/so. How will a wet field and wet ball effect our freshman kicker. Weird shit happens in the rain. Hopefully not too weird.
Is this a trophy game? You bet your sweet ass it is. The Shillelagh Trophy. Here’s a little history 
from an old Subway Domer post, now archived:
In continuing with the shillelagh theme we next look at the Purdue game. It is simply called The Shillelagh Trophy. It was donated by a merchant seaman and Fighting Irish fan, Joe McLaughlin. He purchased the blackthorn oak club while in Ireland. The winner of the game has received this trophy since the 1957 game. The winner has its initials put on a football medallion, along with the score, and that is placed on the oak stand the Shillelagh sit upon.
Who’s gonna win? Irish 45-13. Even without Floyd, and with an injured Clausen and Allen- this offense is far too good for Purdue to handle. I also think the defense will buckle down this week and throw out a few looks that they haven’t shown this season (Is that even possible?) The Irish March on…
GO IRISH!!!
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