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A lot was expected of the Boilers in 2005. They returned 17 starters that went 7-4 the year before, and avoided both Michigan and Ohio State in Big 10 play. The team underachieved dramatically, and the Boilers eight-year run of post-season play was snapped after their disappointing 5-6 campaign. With the nightmarish season behind them, the Boilermakers take the field with 12 returning starters and a bright new outlook. HC Joe Tiller is highly optimistic and hopes his squad can be the West Virginia of a year ago that bounced back tremendously after grossly underachieving with high expectations the year before. QB Curtis Painter is back to lead the spread option offense, while RB Kory Sheets and JUCO RB Jaycen Taylor look to combine as one of the best B10 tandems in the country. Lucky for them is the fact that one of the best O-Lines in the country will be paving their way and protecting for a WR corps that should bounce back from dropped passes and injuries that hampered them a year ago. The Boilers defense was the worst it’s been in quite some time last season, so you can only expect it to improve this season. Special Teams come in as a huge question mark as well with the loss of both kickers and punt returner.
Four home games to open up the 2006 season is just what this team needs to find its identity before Big 10 play starts. Purdue played much better ball to close out the ’05 season, so look for them to ride that momentum right back into conference play where it all seemed to fall apart a year ago. Joe Tiller has proven to be a winner while as head coach in West Lafayette, so expect the Boilers to start a new bowl streak when the regular season winds down in ’06.
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