(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

It has not been since 1997 that there is such an air of uncertainty surrounding Purdue University's football program. Joe Tiller has retired as Purdue's career leader in wins with 87.

After coaching the offensive line from 1997 to 2001 and again last year, Danny Hope takes over the head coaching reins. Also new to the coaching staff is Gary Nord as offensive coordinator and Dan Landholm as defensive coordinator.

The Tiller-Spack era was responsible for 10 bowl appearances in twelve years. However, the team was experiencing a rate of disminishing returns.

The Boilermakers won six conference games four times in twelve years. Over the last five seasons, Purdue was over .500 in conference play just once.

The last Purdue win against a team from a BCS conference that had a winning record was in Nov. 2004 against Ohio State.

During the spring, this year's coaching staff created a renewed sense of enthusiasm. There was an eagerness to begin a new journey.

Hope emphasized speed and athleticism in his first recruiting class by signing 14 Floridians. Despite the excitement of the incoming class, both Scout.com and Rivals.com ranked Purdue's class as the worst in the Big 10.

Danny Hope will still implement the spread offense, but the cast of characters running it has changed significantly.

No longer will we see Curtis Painter, Kory Sheets, Greg Orton, Desmond Tardy nor Jerry Wasikowski. Keith Smith is the only returning starter on offense at a skill position.

The biggest improvement on offense needed this year based on last year's performance has to be more consistency.

Purdue scored 48 points on Michigan and 62 points on Indiana, but only mustered 22 points against Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State and Penn State combined. The Boilermakers were 4-0 when they scored 32 or more points and 0-8 when registering 26 points or less.

Quarterbacks

There has not been this much doubt over the possible success of the starting quarterback since Brandon Hance began in charge in 2001. The starting quarterback this season should have been the athletic Justin Siller, but he was dismissed from the team due to academics.

Insert senior Joey Elliott.

A shoulder injury limited Elliott to 81 passing yards last season. During the spring, he struggled to regain his previous arm strength. Elliott has never been known as a great passer, but he has decent mobility.

The transfer of Robert Marve from the University of Miami to Purdue has created a contrast of opinions.

Some see him as the starting quarterback for 2010 and 2011. Others view him just as the future backup to Caleb TerBush.

TerBush is a 6'5", 222-pound redshirt freshman from Metamora, Ill. He can make the throws Elliott can only dream about and is extremely mobile for his size.

Unless Purdue gets off to a good start offensively, TerBush will probably be starting by the Ohio State or Illinois game.

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