2007 Motor City Bowl Preview

Purdue (7-5, 3-5; Big Ten) vs. Central Michigan (8-5, 8-1; MAC)

December 26, 2007 @ 7:30 PM (EST) – ESPN – Ford Field – Detroit, MI

When these two teams met in West Lafayette in mid-September, the Boilermakers steamrolled the Chippewas 45-22 and it was not even that close. Purdue led 24-0 at the half and it extended that lead to 38-0 early in the third quarter. Joe Tiller’s team gained 583 yards—including 223 on the ground—but they did turn it over five times.

However, don’t let that result lead you to the assumption that the second meeting will necessarily follow the same script. CMU finished strong—winning seven of its last nine—while Purdue struggled in Big Ten play after a quick start.

Central Michigan struggled in non-conference play and was outscored by a combined 167-43 margin by BCS foes (@ Kansas 52-7, @ Purdue 45-22, @ Clemson 70-14). However, they turned things around and nearly ran the table en route to a second straight MAC title—this time under new coach Butch Jones. Jones, who came from West Virginia, took over for Brian Kelly when he bolted to Cincinnati. The “Chips” lone league loss was a 48-45 defeat at the hands of Eastern Michigan.

CMU is also headed back to Detroit for a second year in a row. Last year, it collected a 31-14 victory over Middle Tennessee.

Purdue began the season by winning five straight. However, the Boilers proceeded to lose five of their last seven and carry a three-game losing streak into Detroit. They have lost their last three bowl games and there is perhaps a little heat on long-time coach Joe Tiller despite the fact he has taken the program to ten bowls in the last 11 seasons.

The Chippewas were not very good on defense this year, as they’ve allowed an average of 36 points and 450 yards per game. However, CMU has showed some improvement lately—delivering its top performances of the season the last two times out. Linebacker Red Keith is tied for the MAC lead in tackles with 129. The struggling secondary, which is part of the MAC’s worst pass defense (285 ypg), should be as healthy as it has been in sometime.

It will need to be, as Purdue possesses one of the Big Ten’s most potent passing attacks. Junior quarterback Curtis Painter has completed just over 62 percent of his attempts while throwing for 3,300 yards and 26 touchdowns. He threw for 360 yards and three scores in the first meeting.

Painter’s top target is wide out Dorien Bryant. Bryant, who has 82 receptions for 871 yards, ranks seventh in the Big Ten. He is also dangerous as a kickoff return man, as has taken two back for touchdowns. Dustin Keller (61 for 731), Greg Orton (58 for 616) and Selwyn Lymon (40-450) are others that have accumulated 40 or more catches.

The Boilers only rush for 136 yards per game, but Kory Sheets ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns the first time around against CMU. He now shares the carries with Jaycen Taylor, who has accumulated 537 yards and three touchdowns.

Central Michigan can also light up the scoreboard. Dual threat quarterback and MAC Offensive Player of the Year Dan LeFevour leads the attack. LeFevour, who is only a sophomore, became only the second player in NCAA history (the other was former Texas quarterback and current Tennessee Titan Vince Young) to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 in the same season. He reached the end zone 17 times on the ground and threw 23 touchdown passes.

In the first meeting with Purdue, the Chippewas couldn’t get much going on the ground and then they were forced to abandon that part of their attack due to the large deficit. Junior Ontario Sneed and Notre Dame transfer Justin Hoskins share those duties. The duo has combined to rush for 1,133 yards and 16 scores.

LeFevour has two outstanding young wide receivers in freshman walk-on Antonio Brown and sophomore Bryan Anderson. Brown, who was named MAC Freshman of the Year, has 98 receptions (CMU single-season record and MAC high) for 909 yards. Anderson has 83 catches for 1,003 yards.

The “Chips” were able to net 465 yards—including 364 through the air—in the first match-up. However, they went for naught as the large hole was too much to overcome. The Boilermakers defense ranks eighth in the Big Ten—allowing 385 yards per game.

A Purdue defense, which has given up far too many big plays this season, will need to receive solid play from Anthony Heygood and Cliff Avril. The tandem has combined to record 29 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and Avril has a team-high six sacks. If they can get pressure on LeFevour, you may see some more big plays from cornerback Terrell Vinson. Vinson has a team-high five picks and also leads the team with 78 stops.

For CMU to avenge its earlier loss, it must do three things that it didn’t do in the first meeting. Number one, it must get off to a better start! Secondly, the Chippewas must have some success running the football—which should in turn improve their 5-of-18 effort on third-down conversions as a result of more convertible distances. Finally, the defense must not allow Painter and company to strike quickly.

Central Michigan will compete more than it did the first time around, but Purdue will likely be too much for the Chippewas.

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