Football Preview: Purdue at Cincinnati - August 31st - Noon - ESPNU

As our loyal readers pick their jaws off the floor from reading the last post and realizing GoBoilers.net isn't just a flash in the pan blog, we're going to back it up by actually posting something relevant...

It's becoming so cliche to say "OMG! I can't believe the football season starts this Saturday!"  I've heard it no less than 8 times in the last 3 days, which is pretty impressive since I rarely ever talk to anybody.  I'm not big into cliches, so I'll spare you, but...OMG! I can't believe the football season starts this Saturday!

Sorry about that.  It just came out.

This is what a Bearcat looks like?  I don't know whether to be confused or disappointed.

Why Purdue wins
Cincinnati fans are already talking about an undefeated season under new coach, Tommy Tuberville.  With a weak non-conference schedule, most people think the conference and a BCS berth (yes, the new American conference amazingly gets a BCS bid) will come down to the Louisville/Cincinnati game at the end of the year.  Meanwhile, Purdue comes into the game with a horrible outlook from the national media (ranking 98th overall from Deadspin's first serious rankings that I ever remember them doing).  Most people think the Boilers will be awful.  I'm not so sure.  A new coach, a new energy, and a veteran quarterback lead Purdue into a fairly cocky Cincinnati.  The game's a white-out.  It's sold out.  However, if starting quarterback Brendon Kay starts slow, expect the crowd to get antsy and for Tuberville to put name-of-the-year candidate, Munchie Legaux (fittingly from Louisiana) behind center.  This will be his first time juggling these two veteran quarterbacks, and their mismanagement combined with a veteran performance by Rob Henry could just be enough for Purdue to pull off the upset.

Why Cincinnati wins 
The Bearcats have only had one major non-conference game in their on-campus stadium since 2009 (NC State) and the crowd is going to be riled up.  Cincinnati has a high-powered offense, and one can imagine a quick first-possession touchdown leading to an out-of-hand game in a hurry.  If Kay is on, expect the defense to spread, leaving speedster Ralph David Abernathy IV to run all over a tired defense.

Player we're most concerned about since their stock photo may break our TV

Silverberry Mouhon may or may not have been named after a FroYo place, but that's not going to keep #92 from potentially wreaking havoc as a starting defensive lineman.  He either has the start of a mohawk going or a very pointy head, and that's what concerns me the most about this guy.  If he shows up in a highlight real, not only will the picture potentially break my tv screen, but announcers will just say his name over and over and over again because ESPNU announcers are like that.  The over/under on hearing Munchie Legaux's name announced is already 72, so this could get brutal.

Picks of the week
Cincinnati is favored by 10.5.  Kirk doesn't know this, but we'll be "betting" an order of meatballs from The Meatball Shop, an awesome place in Manhattan that Kirk and I stumbled across for a late dinner the other day after a great day at the US Open. 

Kirk's Bet
Kirk bet against Purdue nearly every time in the second half of last season.  He's changed his tune this year and is betting his $8 order of Classic Balls w/ Mushroom Gravy topped with the Family Jewels (fried egg).   

Cincinnati 24 - Purdue 17

Erik's Bet

I hope it doesn't happen, but I just don't see Coach Hazell's debut going as well as planned.  I'm betting my $8 order of Special Pizza Balls w/ Spicy Meat Sauce topped with the Family Jewels.   

Cincinnati 38 - Purdue 20

Three Final Things
1. The announcers for the game are Eamon McAnaney and Anthony Becht.  McAnaney went to Notre Dame while Becht's wikipedia entry mentions nothing about him being an announcer.  Might be best to go to a bar for this one...

2. Cincinnati has former IU commit and Notre Dame transfer Gunner Kiel on the roster.  He's red-shirting this year, but I'm not sure whether to applaud this guy for finally seeing the light or to hate him for committing to our two rival schools.  I'm leaning toward hating him still.

3. Boiler Up!

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