Tennessee should be happy with the direction of the program under Heupel as he was the only first-year power conference coach to win at least seven games this season after the offense really started to click mid-season. Tennessee's high-octane style on offense will provide a different challenge than Purdue sees for much of the season in the Big Ten West, and the Boilermakers just won't have enough with their best player on each side of the ball both opting out.

The Volunteers averaged an impressive 6.5 yards per play this season thanks to Hooker, who made a lot happen downfield while posting an interception rate of just 1.1% in addition to doing plenty of damage with his legs.

We knew previously that Purdue stud receiver David Bell (93 catches, 1,286 yards, six TDs) and maybe the team's best defensive player, end George Karlaftis, were skipping this bowl to prepare for the NFL Draft. The Boilers continue to take hits as No. 2 receiver Milton Wright (57 catches, 732 yards, seven TDs), starting senior cornerback Dedrick Mackey and left tackle Greg Long are also apparently going to sit.
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Purdue is losing players on a daily basis with the positive tests. Two more starters announced out today.
The combination of Purdue's crucial opt-outs, sickness and a friendly home crowd in Nashville, TN, and strong play in the second half of the season should really help Tennessee get a blowout win on Thursday afternoon.