Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, August 25, 2015

This is Year Three for Darrell Hazell. And, it?s time to show some tangible progress. We all know about the improved ?buy-in? from players and improved depth/talent. But, the Boilermakers, you know, need to win some games.

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Hazell has four victories in two seasons in West Lafayette. And none of the victims have been titans-FCS Indiana State; Western Michigan; FCS Southern Illinois; Illinois. Five wins would be a nice achievement in 2015. Reaching a bowl would cause locals to consider throwing a parade.

Here is what I will be watching at Purdue practice.

1. Is there a pass rush? This defense looks void of any real difference-makers on the edge with end Ryan Russell gone. Who is gonna bring heat? Who is going to pressure quarterbacks? Will the Boilermakers have to manufacture a pass rush with gimmick blitzes? Without pressure, a promising secondary could be in trouble.

2. Who are the explosive players? Senior wideout Danny Anthrop is a proven commodity, but he?s coming off a knee injury. The staff needs DeAngelo Yancey to be over his sophomore slump. Junior Cameron Posey? A JC transfer like Anthony Mahoungou or Dominique Young? Greg Phillips? Bilal Marshall? Sophomore RB D.J. Knox is nifty and shifty-but he?s 5-7. Purdue won?t score much if it has to rely on 10-play drives. Big plays will be needed.

3. Is Austin Appleby the answer under center? Appleby was named the starter Tuesday afternoon. Appleby, who wrestled the job from Danny Etling last season, beat out redshirt freshman David Blough. Is Appleby a better passer? Blough is nifty with his feet and has savvy. True freshman Elijah Sindelar may be the best of the bunch but isn?t ready.

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About Tom Dienhart BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section.

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