At the University of Cincinnati, they're viewing Sunday's season opener against Purdue as the chance of a lifetime, with all the trappings of a big-time college football atmosphere — a Nippert Stadium sellout, national television and a highly regarded Big Ten opponent. But at Purdue, it's just the opposite.

        The Boilermakers see that they have very little to gain and a lot to lose. They're playing on the road with an untested quarterback against a school trying to make a statement about the progress of its program, a team with a two-year track record of knocking off big-time opponents at home (Wisconsin in 1999, Syracuse last year).

        So it's no surprise that when Purdue coach Joe Tiller was asked who scheduled this game, Tiller couldn't — or wouldn't — say.

        “No one wants to 'fess up to that, and I don't blame them,” Tiller said.

        Tiller said he didn't mean to imply scheduling UC was a mistake.

        “We might as well get over the game,” Tiller said, “as to where it's scheduled and when it's scheduled, because of what we tell our football team. ... Unless we get cold feet, we're planning on showing up on Sunday.”

        Tiller's Purdue teams have been known for their offensive prowess during his four seasons as coach. With Drew Brees at quarterback last season, the Boilermakers used their spread offense to score 32 points a game. They were first in the Big Ten in passing offense and total offense, third in scoring.

        But Brees, the Big Ten's career passing leader, is gone. This year, at least at the outset, the Boilermakers will rely on their defense, with 10 starters returning from the league's third-rank ed unit last year.

        “We certainly think our defense could prove to be the strength of our team,” Tiller said.

        So does UC coach Rick Minter, who's particularly enamored of Purdue defensive ends Shaun Phillips (6-3, 259) and Akin Ayodele (6-3, 261). “This is one of the best defenses we'll face all year,” Minter said.

        In West Lafayette, Ind., they've grown accustomed to flashy offense. Which is why all eyes will be focused on redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Hance, who will try to add to the long Purdue quarterback legacy that in cludes Brees, Len Dawson, Bob Griese and Jim Everett.

        Hance graduated a semester early from high school in Woodland Hills, Calif., and enrolled at Purdue in January 2000. He took part in spring practice that year, then spent his redshirt year practicing with the Boilermakers. Tiller is as curious as anyone to see how his new QB functions under pressure.

        “We think he's as well-prepared as any quarterback we've ever had going into his first start,” Tiller said. “The only thing that remains to be answered is how he's going to perform in game conditions.”

        Unfortunately for Hance, Purdue lost four starters from its offensive line plus a 1,000-yard receiver in Vinny Sutherland. He does have running back Montrell Lowe (998 yards in 2000); Tim Stratton, who won the Mackey Award as the nation's top tight end last year; and an experienced receiver in Seth Morales, who burned Ohio State for a 64-yard, game-winning touchdown catch.

        Purdue, which finished last year's Rose Bowl season ranked 13th nationally, just missed the Top 25 this year, leader among those “also receiving votes” in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today preseason polls.

Purdue girds for visit to UC

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