GoldandBlack.com - Kickin' it with Kitch: Michigan

November 6, 2009

Kelly Kitchel
Special to GoldandBlack.com

Editor's note: Kelly Kitchel, a native of Walton, Ind., was an offensive lineman for the Boilermakers from 1998-2002 playing on the Boilermakers' Rose Bowl team. Look for weekly blogs from Kitch throughout the season.

Last week I talked about how much fun it was to play at Camp Randall.

Well I was speaking for myself when I played. Madison was not so nice to the 2009 Boilers. That was surely a game to forget.

I also recall that I had a few of those games to forget. It just so happens that a few of those came in the Big House.

Getting housed at the Big House is definitely no fun. So the Boilers will travel to Ann Arbor to attempt and reverse the trend up there.

Coming into the Wisconsin game I believe that a lot of fans were very optimistic about this team finishing up strong. Now with the way that game went, more and more questions seem to have arisen.

This team has to play loose. In the two games that Purdue was outplayed (Northern Illinois and Wisconsin), I saw a tight team on the field. I saw a team that was trying too hard not to make mistakes that they almost looked tense.

I believe the Boilers have to play like they have nothing to lose. In basketball you see some players who want to win and carry the team so badly that they look stiff on the floor and make turnovers because of it. They are trying so hard and you will see them diving recklessly all over the floor, going over everyone's back for a rebound, driving into the lane without any awareness and pick up a charge.

That is what I saw from the Boilers last Saturday. I see them trying so hard that sometimes they try to make plays that aren't there and it takes them out of position or they are looking to make a play before the ball gets to them.

These kids are playing so hard and want to win so bad that sometimes mistakes are made. I believe that this is a good team that had a very bad week.

I hear comments that this is the Colletto/Akers era starting over again. I say that's bull! This is not a program on the decline. Danny Hope will have major success at Purdue if given the chance and I believe Morgan Burke will give him that chance to succeed.

Kitchel is part of Lafayette's Sports Guys on ESPN 1450AM. He can be heard two hours before every Purdue game and for two hours after every game as part of their Post Game Call-In show. You can rant or rave about the the Boilers by calling 765-447-0414 after the game. E-mail Kitch at kellykitchel@espn1450am.com.