Little Caesars Bowl: Purdue Will Start Big Ten Bowl Season with a Win

Big Ten Bowl Preview Extravaganza - Part 1 of 10

Although the Big Ten has had a bowl agreement with the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl for many years, this will be the first time since 2007 that the conference will actually fill the bowl slot.

That year, Purdue defeated Central Michigan in a 51-48 shootout in front of a record 60,000 fans.

This year could be even bigger, as the Boilermakers take on the Western Michigan Broncos. Let's take a look at the five keys to the Big Ten's opening bowl game of the 2011-2012 slate.

No. 1: Purdue's Backup RBs Must Dominate Possession

With starting running back Ralph Bolden out with a torn ACL for the second straight season, one would guess that Western Michigan would be able to shut down the Boilermaker rushing attack.

However, the Broncos have struggled mightily against even poor rushing games this season.

Furthermore, the offensive line wasn't terribly impacted by injury this season, so Purdue should still be able to exploit a weak Western Michigan run defense, despite Bolden's injury.

The Broncos surrendered over 200 yards per game on the ground, and similar Big Ten rushing attacks tore up this defense already this season. That should open the door for backups Akeem Shavers and Akeem Hunt to have big days on the ground.

As long as Purdue can control the time of possession and grind out big drives, then the pressure will be taken off the Boilermaker defense, which has a tough task at hand in stopping the Western Michigan offense.

No. 2: Purdue's Defensive Backfield Should Contain Jordan White

Broncos star receiver Jordan White led the nation in receiving this season, racking up 127 catches for 1646 yards. White was also a critical force in the end zone, grabbing 16 touchdowns from quarterback Alex Carder.

White stretches out defenses and draws a lot of double teams, which opens up the rest of the Broncos passing game. Purdue may have the perfect counter, though, in cornerback Ricardo Allen, who shut down many top receivers this season.

When Purdue's defense found themselves in trouble this year, the opposing offense could usually put significant pressure on both fronts of the defense with running and passing.

Given a relatively one-dimensional offense like Western Michigan, Purdue should be able to at least slow down the opposition.

In addition to Allen, the Purdue secondary features two experienced senior safeties Logan Link and Albert Evans.

Purdue has the right personnel to shut down Western Michigan, but the key will start with preventing big plays from White.

No. 3: Purdue's Defensive Line Needs to Generate Pressure Against Alex Carder

When Ryan Kerrigan was graduating last season, most assumed that the Purdue defensive line would take a step back.

However, the overall strength of the defense helped the new defensive line come together over the course of the season.

Instead of forcing pressure along the outside, the defensive tackles are the strength of this Purdue line. Junior Kawann Short lived up to potential by leading the charge through the middle of opposing offensive lines.

Short, and fellow tackle Bruce Gaston, will need to pressure QB Alex Carder to force Carder into quick decisions that could cause turnovers.

Ricardo Allen will play aggressively in the backfield if given opportunities by Carder, so limiting Carder's time in the pocket is another key to victory.

Western Michigan may also try to run the ball to keep Purdue's defense honest, and the defensive line needs to be prepared for this as well.

The Broncos will try to avoid being one-dimensional, but Purdue will likely force them to be.

No. 4: The Boilermakers Must Win the Turnover Battle

The turnover statistic can normally tell the story of games, even when the statistics do not match up to the score. Especially in bowl games, with so much liberal play-calling and so many distractions, a couple of turnovers can put a game out of reach quickly.

Both offenses will find considerable success against the opposing defensive units, so gaining a couple extra possessions will certainly make the difference in this game.

Purdue lost a couple of games this season that it shouldn't have, thanks to turnovers. So, the young backup running backs will need to be particularly careful when running the ball.

The athletic Purdue defense will probably cause a couple of turnovers, but hopefully the offense will not keep pace.

No. 5: Which Purdue Team Shows Up in Detroit?

Purdue struggled to find consistency this season, which explains how the Boilermakers didn't win or lose more than two games in a row en route to a 6-6 finish and 4-4 record in Big Ten play.

At times, it seemed like a coin flip whether "good Purdue" or "bad Purdue" would show up on any given Saturday.

Of course the Boilermakers are excited to be playing in the postseason, as this is the first bowl game for this senior class.

However, there remains turmoil about coach Danny Hope and the direction of the program, despite Hope's two-year contract extension this weekend.

With three players arrested, and another suspended, between the finale against Indiana and this bowl game, perhaps Purdue does not have this bowl game in proper focus.

If the Boilermakers slept on preparations for the Broncos, then Carder and his receivers will put Purdue in a tough hole to come out of early.

Despite all of the injuries and turmoil, Purdue still will have the better athletic team on the field in Detroit.

As long as the Boilermakers show up motivated to play (and they were in 2007 in this bowl game), then the Big Ten should start this bowl season on the right foot.

Game Prediction

Alex Carder will burn the Purdue secondary twice in the first quarter to give the Broncos a couple early scores, but Purdue will grind away and wear out the Western Michigan defense by the time halftime rolls around.

Purdue will erase any small deficit in the third quarter, and will hold onto a lead late to win another Little Caesars Bowl.

Purdue 38, Western Michigan 34.