Blogger Injury Update

Before we begin, an injury report: even though I've been dinged up a little this week, I'm a go-to blog at Purdue on Saturday night. Earlier in the week I was held out of a few posts to accelerate my recovery. That allowed other bloggers to get more reps, which I believe will help us down the line ... on-line. It's one thing when you're a back-up and nobody expects anything more of you than a facile remark in the comments section, but when an editor gives you command of the huddle -- I mean, keyboard -- no one ever really knows how you'll respond. I've been pleased with how the younger pundits have stepped up this week.

Okay, guys, fire away.

Q: Are you worried that your blogging may be a little rusty on Saturday night?

A: Not really. Of course, you're always concerned about the exchange between the WiFi access in a visitors' press box and your own laptop ... especially when you're using Big Ten digital networks. But our IT guy has installed a pad that I can wear under my toe to alleviate some of the pressure while I type.

Q: How did you get hurt and what is the extent of the injury?

A: I tweaked neck muscles and stubbed a toe straining to see the overhead TV screen for a replay of the non-touchdown call on Michael Floyd's catch in the second quarter. How's that for irony? If only Notre Dame had an in-stadium Jumbotron, I'd be 100 percent right now.

Q: After a great defensive blogging effort in the opener, your efforts the past two weeks have been suspect. Is that a concern?

A: I'm glad you asked that. It's just a question of familiarity with the blogging tool. A lot of the younger guys used WordPress before they arrived here. Now they're having to learn an entire new scheme with Blogsmith and it's just a matter of gaining confidence. Some guys are still confused about how to attach a link or whether they can add a photo. That'll come with time.

Q: So it's the scheme?

A: It's not the scheme. It's a breakdown here, a breakdown there. As bloggers we have to own up to our mistakes. Sometimes a commenter will point out that you're an idiot. Or worse. You have to own up to that. You've got to type with confidence. With moxie, even.

A: The 8 PM start in West Lafayette ... Do you prefer night games to day games?

Q: No doubt. If you could guarantee me nothing but night games, I'd say sign me up. With a night game I can watch "College Gameday" entirely in my pajamas. Then mom usually puts out a big spread for the noon games and I can spend the afternoon reading other writers' blogs, which revs me up for my own game. Not only that, but Erin Andrews is going to be the sideline reporter, which will be good for at least one or two blog entries (photos included) during the evening. Besides, I don't write for a newspaper. I'm not on deadline.

A: How will you compensate for the loss of Michael Floyd?

Q: You don't. Irish head coach Charlie Weis indicated last Sunday that we could expect to see a lot more of true freshman Shaquelle Evans on Saturday night in Floyd's place. The problem is that since Evans is a true freshman, Weis does not make him available to the media. Same with Theo Riddick, the kickoff returner who may see some spot duty at tailback. Heaven forbid if linebacker Manti Te'o makes a game-saving interception or tackle. Then I'm screwed.

On the other hand, Floyd is fairly reticent in front of the media. As long as Golden Tate catches a touchdown, I should be fine.

Expect Dayne Crist to play some and Jonas Gray to get a lot more carries against the Boilermakers with Jimmy Clausen and Armando Allen hurtin'. I think Charlie Weis is praying for a 14-point halftime lead so he can rest his quarterback.

That it, guys? Thanks.



Get Your Tickets

As of Thursday, Purdue still had 8,000 seats available for Saturday night's game inside its 62,000-seat stadium. Part of the reason may be that the Boilermakers hiked up the ticket prices for the Notre Dame game to $70, which is more than fans were asked to fork over for earlier contests versus Toledo and Northern Illinois. Also, the game will be nationally televised on ESPN.

Ironically, Purdue is peddling $18 black T-shirts for the game for a "black out" promotion. If this were the NFL, that wouldn't be the only blackout with which it would have to concern itself this weekend.

Reckman Suspended

The Big Ten suspended Purdue starting left guard Zach Reckman for the Notre Dame game. Reckman achieved first-team status on my All-Aptly Named Team with this shot to NIU's Sean Progar after the game's final play. Purdue head coach Danny Hope had suggested sitting Reckman for the first quarter, but the conference decided a more stringent penalty needed to be assessed.