As the countdown to the 87th annual Rose Bowl continues, Jump contributors Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky forced Purdue coach Joe Tiller to confront his demons, fears and insecurities.

Andrew Kamenetzky: Tim Stratton just won the Mackey. Is he now demanding that more plays be run and specifically designed for him?

Joe Tiller: It's impossible for Tim to demand more. He already insists that we have two footballs on every play and that he gets at least one of them.

Brian Kamenetzky: Does he still show up to practice? Return anyone's calls?

Joe Tiller: Occasionally. If he has his helmet. He did lose his helmet this year. After, the, uh, what game was it, Michigan, he lost his helmet in a post-game celebration on the field. And we banned him from practice. I told him if he didn't have his helmet he ain't practicing. If he has his helmet, he shows up.

Andrew Kamenetzky: Better looking figurine: the Heisman or the Mackey.

Joe Tiller: Oh, the Heisman.

Brian Kamenetzky: The Heisman?

Joe Tiller: Absolutely. I haven't seen the Mackey, by the way.

Andrew Kamenetzky: Better Purdue Rose Bowl victory drink: seabreeze, baybreeze, or a boilermaker?

Joe Tiller: A boilermaker. It's the only reason I'm coaching at Purdue. A shot and a beer.

Brian Kamenetzky: Any particular whiskey?

Joe Tiller: JD. Jack Daniels.

Andrew Kamenetzky: All the way?

Joe Tiller: All the way. But I don't drink it. I freeze it and eat it.

Brian Kamenetzky: A Jack Daniels-sicle!

Andrew Kamenetzky: If you were a float in the Rose Bowl parade, what kind of float would you be?

After much prodding, the Kamenetzky brothers were able to get Coach Tiller to admit what kind of float he'd be, strictly off the record. Suffice to say, this parade would be the most memorable in years if he were given some papier mache, tissue, flowers and complete creative control.

Andrew and Brian Kamenetzky are frequent contributors to The Jump (that amusing little section at the front of ESPN The Magazine). E-mail them at anetzkyk@aol.com.