Friday, October 31, 2008

Purdue vs Michigan Preview: The Snake Oil Bowl

Prefect timing! It's Halloween and time to preview the infamous Snake Oil Bowl. Many of you will remember that on signing day this spring, Joe Tiller cracked on Rich Rodriguez for taking one of his verbal commits Roy Roundtree by calling Rich a "Snake Oil Salesmen".

Fast forward to Halloween 2008 and both coaches would sell a little Snake Oil for a few more wins. Rich is in his first year at Michigan and his Offense is ranked 110th, averaging less then 300 yards a game. Joe is in his final year at Purdue and his offense is ranked 69th, with less then 370 yards a game. Both teams are 2-6 and heading to the weight room this holiday season. I guess the Snake Oil Bowl will have to do.

This game is hard to predict because both teams (for lack of a better term) "stink". Purdue most likely will be playing with out their former Heisman candidate QB Curtis Painter due to a shoulder separation injury. The closest thing Michigan has to a Heisman candidate is it's Punter - Zoltan the Great. (he gets to punt a lot!)

Rich Rod is yet to win a road game as Michigan head coach and this maybe the best opportunity with road games at ranked Minnesota and Ohio State still on the schedule. Joe Tiller wants to beat the "hated" Wolverines in his final year. Joe never would go public about his true feeling about Michigan, but many believe Joe "wouldn't urinate on a Wolverine if it was on fire". Nobody really knows where his hostile feeling come from but maybe being born in Toledo, Ohio so close to Ann Arbor but so far has something to do with it. Or maybe it's Michigan record of 40-12 all time against Purdue. (it's a toss up really! Hey Joe - Go MudHens!)

Either way, this will be a game you most likely will want to miss. Unless you include myself of course, who bought 4 tickets a year ago and thought it would be a fun trip. So if your still up for some football punishment tune in to the Big Ten Network 12:00 EST and watch these 2-6 teams battle for pride and a 3rd win. One guy will either leave the field with his first road win or his last win against a rival. Times they are a changing............

Now on to the particulars:


  • Purdue will be playing their 3rd string QB - Michigan's QB plays like he is 3rd string. (Michigan's backup QB plays like he should be a Safety on punt coverage).

  • Michigan has a good pass rush and defensive line, but terrible safeties. Which equal quick "hot routes" that go for touchdowns.

  • Sam McGuffie is out for Michigan due to a concussion, Curtis Painter is (most likely) out for Purdue due to a shoulder separation.

  • Both offense are ranked 11 and 10 in the Big Ten.

  • Look for a lot of turnovers that don't result in points

  • A field goal will decide this one

  • Both teams are 2-6. Enough said.

  • Michigan should win this game, but probably won't.
Purdue 17 Michigan 14

Thought for the day: Can we "Daylight Savings Time" to next season yet?

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