Eastern Kentucky @ Purdue preview

Purdue looks to improve on last year's 7-6 record as its begins its fourth season under Danny Hope, who is just 16-21 in West Lafayette. However, the Boilermakers are coming off a 37-32 victory over Western Michigan in the Little Caesars Bowl, their first postseason appearance since 2007. With depth at quarterback and three of last year's top receivers returning, Purdue's goal is a higher-tier bowl this season. Eastern Kentucky was picked as the preseason favorite in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Colonels qualified for the FCS playoffs last year, finishing 7-5 overall and 6-2 in the OVC.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network Line: None

ABOUT PURDUE (2011 record: 7-6, 4-4 Big Ten): Caleb TerBush, who completed 171 of 277 throws for 1,905 yards with 13 TDs with no interceptions in the final four games of last season, figures to have the upper hand at quarterback over Robert Marve and Rob Henry. The latter finished 2010 as the starter but tore his right ACL a week before last season’s opener. The Boilermakers will open the season without running back Ralph Bolden, a fifth-year senior, who is still
rehabbing from his third ACL surgery since high school. Early in the season, Purdue's feature back likely will be Akeem Shavers, named MVP in the
Little Caesars Bowl after rushing for 149 yards on 22 carries, both career highs. Leading an experienced receiving corps is Antavian Edison (44 receptions for 584 yards and three TDs in 2011). Starting LB Dwayne Beckford is suspended indefinitely after pleading guilty in July to operating a vehicle while intoxicated.

ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY (2011 record: 7-5, 6-2 OVC): Last season, the Colonels switched from a spread offense to a pro style offense. The change benefitted running back Matt Denham, who finished third nationally in rushing in the FCS (130.8 yards per game). Denham was one of only two OVC players named to the preseason Walter Payton Award watch list, which is handed out annually to the offensive player of the year in the FCS. He rushed for 1,570
yards last year. Last season, EKU led the OVC in scoring defense (23.3 ppg) and turnovers forced (31).

EXTRA POINTS

1. Purdue needs to improve its passing offense as the Boilermarkers ranked only 83rd in the FBS last season (195.2 yards per game).

2. Hope is a 1981 graduate of Eastern Kentucky, where he majored in pyschology. He was the head coach at
his alma mater from 2003-07, posting a 35-22 record.

3. Purdue and Eastern Kentucky are facing each other for the first time.

PREDICTION: Purdue 31, Eastern Kentucky 13