Dayne Crist vs. Robert Marve: The Game Inside Notre Dame Vs. Purdue

This Saturday, the long awaited Brian Kelley era begins in earnest at Notre Dame as the Irish and the Purdue Boilermakers tee at Notre Dame Stadium.

Many questions linger for each squad entering the game, each with many new faces in important places. No new faces will stand out quite as prominently as the two under center.

Dayne Crist and Robert Marve will each be taking their first snaps for their respective schools. The pair also share some similarities.

Each enters the game a Junior. Each is coming off of an ACL injury. Each is the new hope of a university.

Robert Marve differs from Crist in that he has a past. A past of the sordid variety. He began his collegiate career at the University of Miami in 2008 where he was red-shirted following a car accident where he broke his arm.

In 2008, he split time with Jacoby Harris, starting all but the opener due to a suspension following a disorderly conduct arrest. In the season, he threw for 1,200 yards with 9 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

He was again suspended for academic reasons prior to the bowl game and soon after announced that he was leaving Miami.

Following a difficult and confusing period with many options blocked by Miami's stipulation that he not transfer to a team in the SEC, ACC, or any Florida school in May of 2009 he announced that he was going to enroll at Purdue.

Early in practice that summer Marve tore his ACL ending on-field football activities during his NCAA mandated ineligible year.

Entering the 2010 season, Marve had a clear path to the starting position. In good standing academically, he seems to be living up to the promises made to Purdue Head Coach Danny Hope to put his difficult past behind him.

Hope in fact seems to be Marve's biggest fan.

"Everything about Robert Marve excites me," Hope said. "He's, I think, the most talented quarterback I've been around from a total package."

High praise from a man who coached Drew Brees.

In Boiler country, comparisons to Brees are easy to find. Marve, like Brees, is smaller, has a strong arm, is very accurate, mobile, and is well liked by his teammates. 

Purdue faithful hope that those attributes shared will translate into comparisons of on-field success. 

Beginning Saturday, the reigns to Purdue's spread offense will be handed over.

Also assuming control of a shining new up tempo spread offense will be Crist.

Three inches taller and nine months younger than Marve, Crist shares similar physical skills. He has exhibited his arm strength in throwing his only collegiate touchdown before tearing his ACL last year.

His stats are unimpressive, 10 of 20 for 130 yards with one touchdown and one interception but his potential is great. He is a smart player and liked by his team.

Also like Marve, he had little opposition in ascending to the starting position. When spring practice began there were no returning scholarship quarterbacks enrolled. The only QB returning with college practice experience was Nate Montana who walked on two years ago.

Brian Kelly's offense is tailor made for Crist. It's four-wide shot-gun format, with lots of quick read quick release throws and rolling pockets, all play to Crist's strengths.

What is unsure about Crist is how adjusted he is to the speed of the college game.

Both last year in games and this year in the spring game, Crist threw interceptions because a window closed late and he couldn't get the ball through on arm strength alone.

Marve's experience may give him a leg up on Crist in a head to head comparison. A full year of playing trumps two years watching Jimmy Clausen light up the score board. Crist will have to remain calm and not let the emotion of his first start get the best of him.

What Crist has that Marve does not is the best WR/TE combo in college football. Purdue will have a difficult time covering both Kyle Rudolph and Michael Floyd without pulling a safety, which should open up the back side receiver and the running back or H back.

The game within the game that is the battle of quarterbacks may not completely decide the outcome, but it will paint much of the larger picture illustrating how far either of these teams can rise in 2010.