Let's Play Football!

Photo Credit: The Columbus Telegram

Since November of 2006, I've been writing posts and giving opinions about Purdue Sports on this very website...and finally, after seven months of grasping for straws at what to talk about or write about in regards to my Boilermakers, it's game week. A real contest between Purdue and our (onetime) most hated rival, the Hawkeyes from Iowa. Dammit, all things considered, it feels good. This is something that is somewhat normal.

Sure, this is the third version of the schedule, and it's only an eight (plus one) game schedule. And yeah, other conferences have been playing for a month, but The Good Guys are finally back this Saturday at 3:30.

Like you, it took a bit of wind out of my sails on Sunday afternoon when I heard that Coach Brohm had contracted COVID...but just as he indicated in his Monday press conference, there is a lot to look forward to Saturday and he is excited that the season is about to start, as am I. And if you watch/listen to the QuickCasts, you already know that. But on the near-eve of this odd season, there is so much we don't know.

Variables and Question Marks Abound

The biggest question mark, of course, is how will the team react to not having our head coach on the sidelines...and how smoothly will play-calling and adjustments truly be?

Coach Brohm wisely chose to have his brother Brian as acting head coach for Saturday's kickoff. I thought aloud on Twitter and when talking to my pals that it would be Coach Shep or B. Brohm...either could have done the job well, in my opinion.

I don't believe, nor have I read anything that indicates that DC, Bob Diaco was ever under consideration to step in as HC, and it makes a ton of sense. The thoughtful planner that is Jeff Brohm wanted as much stability as possible...and he knows and trusts few people more than his brother Brian. PLUS, Diaco is in his very first game on Purdue's staff—and is literally installing a brand-new defense.

Speaking of the D, what's Purdue's defense gonna look like?

On paper, they're bigger, stronger and more experienced, almost everywhere on the field. This defense will be anchored by a stout defensive front led by Karlaftis and Neal...and the depth chart is chock full of seasoned, talented B1G bodies. LBs might be stabilized by Graham, the former Safety as he moves a level up toward the line of scrimmage. And of course, moving Derrick Barnes back to his old digs at LB makes a young group a lot more wise and talented in a hurry.

One interesting subplot on this defense is Diaco's connection to Iowa (he played for Hayden Frye) and, of course, DJ Johnson's addition to the Boiler defense, following his transfer from Iowa City during this off-season. Johnson bolsters an already experienced defensive backfield for Diaco's scheme.

I believe the guy who might define Purdue's success is Lorenzo Neal, who finally returns to the lineup after over a season on the mend from knee surgery. If Diaco's men can stop Iowa's running game, they'll force a first year starter into passing situations that could lead to mistakes...especially if Big George introduces himself a few times.

How will Iowa's Petras look at QB?

Iowa had a known commodity in Nate Stanley. After all, he started for the Hawkeyes for three seasons. He never wowed anyone with his ability, but he was a solid game manager who could make throws when he needed to.

Iowa will now start a guy who has less than 20 college passes under his belt and zero starts...But he looks to be a better athlete than Stanley (from what I've watched) and is a big dude (at 6'5”) with a huge arm. In high school, he threw one of the best deep balls that I've seen and could spin a fast ball too, underneath. It's different in college, but there's a reason that he was rated a 4-star QB out of HS.

Speaking of QBs, who is starting for The Good Guys?

So Iowa has a new guy at QB. Purdue probably won't have a new guy starting at QB as it looks and sounds like the decision will be between O'Connell and Plummer. While the team already knows who the starting QB is, Coach Brohm, in typical Brohm fashion, has decided to keep that info from going public.

I'll reiterate what I have said in my QuickCasts—I think it's going to be Plummer behind the center...BUT, I think O'Connell is capable of leading the team to a solid, if not great season as well. Regardless of whom the Brohm Brothers and Coach Shepherd have decided as the starter, I believe we'll see both play on Saturday. AND, I trust this coaching staff to have made a good decision.

Also, whether it is The Snack or AOC, these QBs get to distribute to Rondale, D. Bell and the thoroughbreds…Oooooo wee that’s gonna be fun!

I like this coaching staff a ton, as you probably already know and am stoked to see what happens next here..

Have off-season, off-field distractions hurt Iowa's preparedness?

Iowa has been dealing with tumult off of the field during this unusual off-season. Allegations of poor behavior, and rampant racism led to transfers, coaching staff shake-ups and subsequent firings. And just this week, a civil lawsuit was brought against the football program for $20 million.

Ferentz is a seasoned veteran who has dealt with a ton of on and off the field issues within his program’s history with a very steady hand, but this off-season was unprecedented. Will he rally his team around an 'us against the world' philosophy, or will the team show signs of disjointedness? We will find out Saturday. My guess on this one is that it will feel like the same old Iowa.

Can Purdue start the season fast?

Brohm-coached Purdue teams are 2-1 v. Iowa...but his teams are also 0-3 in openers (Louisville, Northwestern, Nevada). The first two were much easier to swallow, while the Nevada loss still smarts when I think back to a year ago. Worse still, in Brohm's first three games over the last three seasons, our Boilers are a lackluster 3-6.

With a nine game schedule ahead of them, and the possibility of positive COVID cases truncating the schedule even further, a quick start is almost essential for this season to be a turning point of sorts for the program. I still lean toward five or six wins as my prediction for the season before the bowl game.

But as a pal of mine reminded me, playing the season in itself is a victory in the wake of the way everything looked 60 days ago. That sentiment was echoed by Purdue Senior OL, Grant Hermanns, who calls playing this season “A Gift.”

Saturday afternoon, we get to unwrap it. Hammer Down!