Purdue not only got a solid win in Week 1 against Ball State, they looked competent doing so. That’s a welcome sight considering what the product was last season. There were no turnovers, very few penalties, and it appeared as though the coaches had focused on many of the small details that seemed to get glossed over with the previous staff. Was it perfect? Of course not, but this game will all the Boilers the opportunity to clean up those mistakes while allowing the depth to gain valuable experience
ahead of the USC game. That’s important because that very well may be a tipping point game for the Boilers this season.
Reflecting back to what the Boilers had to do against Ball State to be successful, they hit on all three points. Devin Mockobee showed he is still a threat with the ball in his hands and flashed a really solid ability to be a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield while Ryan Browne looked improved from his limited time under the previous staff. Most importantly, the defense looked like it was a fundamental group that was in position to make plays. Odom wasn’t happy with the lack of generated turnovers but those things will come with time.
This week, the Boilers will get a good but not great FCS opponent in SIU out of the Missouri Valley Conference. Although that conference is likely the strongest one in all of the FCS, SIU isn’t going to be winning a conference title anytime soon. As I frequently say, a B1G team should NEVER lose to an FCS school but that doesn’t mean they aren’t immune to the loss. Take Northwestern, who has lost to three FCS opponents over the last quarter century decade and that includes this same SIU team. Minnesota has also lost three games to FCS opponents in that same time frame.
So what do the Boilers need to show this week to get the win? Let’s get into our ‘Three Point Stance.“
1: Play Disciplined and Clean Football
This was largely something that, to the amateur eye, you wouldn’t like catch on. Yes, Purdue didn’t generate any turnovers but they did generate lots of QB pressure and limited their penalties overall. To limit yourself to those numbers for flags is a major advantage Purdue needs to build on through the rest of the school year. Less than 3 penalties would be the ideal here against an overmatched opponent.
2: Generate Some Turnovers
On this Barry Odom was adamant on during his post game press conference against Ball State was the lack of generating a turnover. You could tell he was just unhappy about it and he knows its a foundational piece to getting big wins later down the season. Those turnovers can help a team even the odds and serve as a source of frustration for the opponent. There is no reason to think Purdue shouldn’t generate two turnovers.
3: Generate some Explosive Plays in the Running Game
This may seem silly but Purdue has got to show some explosive ability to get into the open field in the running game. When Purdue can make Mockobee and company a legitimate threat to hit the big runs, that’ll free up Ryan Browne and the wide receivers for more one on one matchups. Five offensive running plays of 15 yards or more would help make the tape that USC has to watch that much more difficult.
Prediction:
This shouldn’t be a question about if Purdue shoulda won. It should be how Purdue wins and if they can get out of this game injury free and looking like they are ready to take on the bulk of their schedule. This needs to be a dominate victory in all aspects of the game and if it is ever in question beyond the 2Q, it is cause for concern.
Next week is a game that very well could determine the entirety of the season with USC coming to West Lafayette. For Purdue to compete in that game they need to show an ability to learn from week to week and show growth.
Starters should be pulled after the first possession of the 3Q and they should look good doing so. Browne needs to continue showing his ability to push the ball downfield and making good decisions in the RPO. The defense looks like it is capable of being a unit that can win games for Purdue.
Boilers: 52
SIU: 13
