We're at number twelve in both polls, which I'm okay with, other than the fact that Georgia doesn't look like any quality number ten team that I've seen.  Also, please note that the USA Today poll has Virginia Tech above Georgia Tech, ignoring the little fact that the Yellowjackets beat the Hokies on the road yesterday.

If we win out until the Southern Cal game, I'd imagine we're up into the top ten region, which is where we need to be for BCS consideration.  The Trojans looked far from invincible last night playing Washington State, although I'm sure a lot of the young guys they're working into both sides of the ball will be much improved in another seven weeks.  Still, we're going to have a thrower's chance at the Coliseum Thanksgiving weekend.  

Charlie pointed out that he'd like to have gotten both Munir Prince and James Aldridge more carries, but didn't want to run Aldridge in his first game back from a knee injury into eighteen-man fronts.  I'd love to see Prince involved in the offense more, just on a screen or a swing pass to see if the "Whoosh" speed really exists.  After over two hundred yards of total offense on Saturday for Darius, I'd like to think we're building a solid backfield combination for next year.

David Grimes and Travis Thomas were both banged up yesterday, which is why you saw George West and Joe Brockington in the game.  I hope Thomas and Grimes both recover quickly, because Grimes has shown flashes of brilliance this year while Thomas has consistently been great in both positions, but it doesn't hurt to get some experience on the depth chart.  With the upcoming slate of games seemingly not offering much challenge - there's some bulletin board material for you, Ben Olson - it'll be important to get some of the guys who will be around next year some game time, even if we are in garbage time.  

Also on the injury front, Charlie said Bob Morton will be fine and he probably would have went back in if the situation dictated it.  Considering how the Boilermakers defense was getting to Brady after his exit, the situation almost dictated it.

Speaking of the Mighty Quinn, he played really well yesterday.  Some of his throws were a little off and the receivers made great catches, but for the most part, a solid game from Number Ten.  There seemed to be some sort of miscommunication between he and Samardjiza on the deep route in the first quarter, where Brady managed to miss a couple of open receivers and a couple of Purdue defensive backs and find an open patch of field.  The running game really calms things down for him, which I think is a good thing, although I'm not sure how well the running game will work against better defenses.

I can't describe how happy it makes me when Charlie combines the 3rd down conversion stats with the 4th down conversion stats in his postgame press conference.  After a couple weeks of not being able to keep the offense on the field and the defense not being able to get stops, we really dominated that stat yesterday.  

I'm going to really take a long look at the effect going for it on fourth down has on winning and productive offenses, but after watching the Irish and the Trojans continually play as if they were in four down territory, I can't help but think something good comes from a little gusto in the play calling.

When talking about injuries yesterday, Darrin Walls wasn't hurt, the coaching staff just felt it better for him to watch the second half and maybe learn a bit, as Painter and the Purdue receivers seemed to be targeting him.  Not sure what he could have learned from his replacement, but Mike Richardson played another stellar game.  Defense didn't play that badly for missing two of its starters.  

Up next: The Stanford Cardinal and a parents' weekend, which means for any of you Irish fans considering when's the best time to make a pilgrimage to South Bend, this weekend is probably your best bet as a lot of tickets will be floating around for well below face value.  I'd also recommend coming sooner rather than later, as the weather is only going to get worse, as this is northern Indiana.