[onlooker]

Detroit - December 26, 2007, 7:30 p.m. EST - ESPN HD

Lets get the discussion going on this bowl game between Purdue and Central Michigan.

[Wassymac]

CMU ML or take whatever points they give ya

[BuddyBear]

This is a rematch of a game earlier this year that Purdue dominated. This was by far Purdue's best game of the year. At the time, Purdue looked like a real Big Ten title threat.

CMU is starting to emerge as a big rival of Purdue's. Joe Tiller has really underachieved the past few years and this bowl game won't impress the alumni at all to be playing a MAC school. In a way, it is very embarrassing. Even so, Purdue should handle this team relatively easy all things being equal (they're not though). There is a big difference in talent between these two teams. However, motivation has to be questioned. Any time a MAC team is in a bowl game they are more than pumped the same can't be said for a Big Ten school who finished near the bottom of the conference playing in one of the most trivial bowl games of all.

Slight lean to CMU if +14 or higher is available.

[Wassymac]

Tiller could care less about winning bowl games and definitely not the worst bowl he's taken the Boilers to. Purdue did beat CMU easily but CMU's QB had some major jitters in the 1st half. Purdue recruited him but then never offered and that fact had him a bit too fired up to play the Boilers. Once he settled down they scored three straight times late in the 3rd and then in the 4th to get within 2 scores.

That was an undefeated Purdue team that still had high hopes for the season. This will be a Purdue team that does not want to hang out in Detroit for Christmas (they'll leave for Detroit on the 23rd with the game on the 26th). The comments I've read talk about being excited to play but I just don't buy it.

[BuddyBear]

As a big Michigan State fan and supporter, I can tell you for a fact that all MSU fans were dreading the possibility of going to a bowl game in Detroit. The idea of playing a MAC team in Detroit was such an ugly thought that nobody wanted to consider. Given Purdue has been to a lot of good bowl games under Tiller this has to be a big disappointment. I can not imagine Purdue players getting exicted to spend Christmas in Detroit, playing a MAC team, and playing one you already played this year no less....

[rjt721]

Wassy,

Is Tiller's job in jeopardy?

[Wassymac]

Wassy,

Is Tiller's job in jeopardy?

I haven't read or heard many rumblings outside of the fans complaining but I just can't see Burke (AD) tolerating Tiller much longer. I think he's safe for at least one more year though. He'll be gone not just for producing mediocre teams but for being satisfied with 7 win seasons, for making excuses in recruiting, and for not giving a sh*t about taking Purdue to the next level. He's just enjoying his last couple years before retirement. The Tiller coaching the last 3-4 years is a complete 180 from the Tiller that turned the program around.

[Wassymac]

Purdue smokes CMU here 42 - 14

You think Purdue covers ATS by 18 but you haven't played it? I'm curious why you think Purdue rolls easily here.

I was hoping for more than +9.5 since Purdue covered a 21 pt spread at home early in the year. I'll still be on CMU as I think they likely win SU here.

[Wassymac]

I'm not sure how one would see this as a similar situation as the game in West Lafayette. That was an undefeated senior laden Purdue team with high hopes for the season against a CMU squad missing a few pieces due to injuries. CMU was led by a QB who couldn't complete anything in the 1st half since he was so jazzed up to get revenge on Purdue for not offering a scholly to him. Once he settled down he threw for nearly 300 yards and put up 22 straight points in the 2nd half.

This game will be played at Ford Field where CMU beat MTSU 35-17 in front of 54000 mostly Chippewa faithful. CMU is excited to get another opportunity at knocking off Purdue while Purdue wants no part of the Motor City Bowl. Purdue will be without WR Selwyn Lymon who was kicked off the team after the Oaken Bucket disaster. They also may as well be without WR Dorien Bryant who's rumored to have asked the question "Can we decline the bowl invite?". Purdue may have plenty of bowl experience (10 of the last 11 years) but they are led by a coach who doesn't care about winning bowl games in recent years. He treats them as a reward lets the players have their fun where ever they go. Most of the fan base wants Tiller out and even though Detroit is a short drive I don't think Purdue will have a good following. This is the worst bowl Purdue has gone to in the Tiller era...on the other hand CMU has been extending ticket office hours due to early success in sales.

A team excited to get a shot at a Big Ten school with revenge vs a team that wants no part of celebrating a disaster finish against a MAC school the day after Christmas.

Before this years matchup these teams hadn't played since the year 2000.

[BuddyBear]

I mean the defining feature of this game is the discprency in talent between CMU and Purdue. Yes, I'll concede that CMU has greater levels of motivation, perhaps a stronger home crowd, revenge, experience at this specific field, etc... However, games out of conference this year for CMU have not even been remotely close. Annihilation at Kansas, at Clemson, at Purdue, even an embarrassing home loss to NDSU (whose not bad though)

I guess if CMU loses, they really lose. Still need to do some research but certainly there is a big difference in class between these two.

[BuddyBear]

Nice analysis Wassymac...we'll need to figure out from somone close to the Purdue program the mindset of the team. Certainly Purdue is better but I've seen teams lay major eggs to less talented teams (see bowl games such as UCLA/Wyoming, Georgia Tech/Utah, etc...)

[Wassymac]

Here is what Purdue's star WR had to say about the invite...

By Jon Nyatawa

Publication Date: 12/04/07

Sports Editor

sponsored by

One Purdue wide receiver isn't too satisfied with Purdue's recent bowl announcement.

Sunday night, it was announced that the Boilers would play Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 26.

Senior Dorien Bryant updated the status on his Facebook page Monday afternoon, writing that he is "wondering if you can decline a bowl (invite). If so, we probably should just forfeit."

Only one other Big Ten team has participated in the bowl game's 10-year history, but the event has not always been associated with the conference.

Purdue will face Central Michigan in the Motor City Bowl, the second time in 2007 that the two teams will meet. The Boilers won the first, 45-22.

Bryant did not return an e-mail sent Monday night.

Associate athletic director Tom Schott declined to comment on a Facebook page.

Sunday night, two team captains, junior Curtis Painter and senior Dan Bick, both expressed excitement with their words following Purdue's bowl game announcement.

They both said that the team was happy just to be involved in postseason play because they didn't want the 2007 season to end the way it has. Purdue has lost its last three games, and five of its last seven.

[jackpot269]

This is a rematch of a game earlier this year that Purdue dominated. This was by far Purdue's best game of the year. At the time, Purdue looked like a real Big Ten title threat.

CMU is starting to emerge as a big rival of Purdue's. Joe Tiller has really underachieved the past few years and this bowl game won't impress the alumni at all to be playing a MAC school. In a way, it is very embarrassing. Even so, Purdue should handle this team relatively easy all things being equal (they're not though). There is a big difference in talent between these two teams. However, motivation has to be questioned. Any time a MAC team is in a bowl game they are more than pumped the same can't be said for a Big Ten school who finished near the bottom of the conference playing in one of the most trivial bowl games of all.

Slight lean to CMU if +14 or higher is available.

I'd Need atleast 14 to play cmu. Maybe 17!!!!!!!!

[BUCK82]

Hey guys, this matchup gave me a huge win in the first meeting this year as Purdue was a 21.5 favorite. For this game they are now a single digit favortie and while C. Michigan has the emotional edge and is thrilled tp be at the Motor City Bowl, the disparity in talent will become obvious during the 2 half.

[onlooker]

I have Purdue only being a 5 point favorite in this one. So I would have to back Central Michigan at that +8 if I was to bet the game. I also have the total in the 65 range, so the UNDER 72 looks like a lean.

No plays for me in this one, and good luck to everyone.

[Mr KLC]

Purdue -8
Under 71

[dudefrompa]

Seems that some of you guys really know these two teams. I can honestly say that I do not. I'm a Big East fan (Rutgers) Anyway I go like to gamble and am looking for a winner in this bowl game. I am leaning towards CMU +8 1/2 that was the current line in my local newpaper today. Anyone have any really solid info. that should talk me out of CMU?? Thanks.

[minet123]

I like the under here even in a dome, I just don't see BOTH these teams scoring in the mid-30's but a very small play

[BUCK82]

Also, there is a big edge in coaching with Tiller matching up against a bowl virgin. Purdue will win this game easily and I'm aboard on that train with "PURDUE" written across the grill! Purdue will win in double digits.

[perhapsnot]

1st half parlay:
Purdue -6 and under 35.5

Purdue -8
UNDER 71.5

35 - 24 final

[Crayzee]

went with purdue-7
(bought a point)
for 2*

[jtnguyen79]

PUrdue -8 for 10 unit better conf team going to smoke c.mi

le fevour going to have a big fever after this game

[greek]

prurdue LOCK!!!!!!!!!!

[raydog]

people that are on cmu seem to think that these teams have gone in different directions..true, but if cmu had to play mich, mich st, oh st, ind, penn st. they would have lost too, so im not buying into cmu playing better. purdue -7(-120 for me)

[$Bnizi]

6pt teaser

Purdue -2.5
Under 78

[area51steve]

Insiders believe this is a classic power conference vs. mid-major "mismatch" where the public will likely assume the bigger, more physical Purdue will push the CMU around. However, Purdue dropped 3 straight to close out the regular season following a 5-0 start and finishished 3-5 in big ten play. Central michigan won 4 of 5 before winning the MAC title game.

Central Michigan is 3-9-1 ATS in its last 13 games vs. Big Ten opponents.

**Purdue is 1-6 SU & 2-5 ATS in its last 7 bowl games**

**Purdue is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games vs MAC teams**

My pick: CMU +8

Tough game to cap... Could go either way.. Win or lose I need some action on football tonight... GL

[BuddyBear]

Well, not much has changed since we first started talking about this game.

Agree with Area51Steve, very tough game to cap. You really have to try to reconcile the difference in talent vs motivation levels. The key in this game is if you can figure out Purdue's motivation level you can figure out the winner for this game.

I am starting to see Purdue winning here relatively easy.... MAC teams just don't beat Big Ten teams very often.....With that in mind, if Purdue wins they should most likely cover the spread.

[rjt721]

Better games to play. P-A-S-S.

[BUCK82]

Guys..Central Michigan pass defense ranks in triple digits. We all know Purdue throws the rock like crazy. WR Bryant and TE Keller will have a good game tonight. Bryant is trying to audition for the League on a national stage tonight. C. Michigan weakest link is on defense in the secondary with 4 underclassmen starters. Purdue offensive line is massive compared to C. Michigan. For Purdue, 3 straight bowl losses and a 24-7 loss to Maryland in a bowl last year (outgained 429-285) will ensure that Purdue is ready. Purdue covers the 7.5 point spread.

[Doc JS]

I mean the defining feature of this game is the discprency in talent between CMU and Purdue.

BB,
You nailed the heck out of this one!

[pokernut9999]

All I know is this game better go over 72 or I am gonna be pissed.