Can the Purdue Boilermakers be this year’s version of Northwestern and run the table out West?
If you talked to some people in the Purdue fan base about Jeff Brohm, your conversation would center around frustration. Frustration in a coach and program that was on the rise, before back to back sub par years wiped out that momentum. Frustration in handing their coach an extension before those bad years that make it difficult financially to move on. Frustration in having hope things were turning around, before watching the past few seasons erode that hope away.
However, in the fifth year of Jeff Brohm as head coach, could the Purdue Boilermakers shock everyone and win the West?
Entering the year, I had Brohm on the hot seat. As mentioned above, those back to back down years created a lot of doubt this program was heading in the right direction. Brohm was offered a contract extension following the 2018 season, an extension that would pay him a little more than five million per year. That amount of money is typically reserved for top coaches in the sport.
With a hefty financial commitment behind him, Brohm was expected to deliver results on the field. Going 6-12 the next two years however was not what anyone had in mind.
You must give credit though where it’s due, and Brohm made decisions this off-season that appear to be paying off.
Addressing The Defense
Purdue’s defense last season was average as they finished 56th in total defense, and more importantly 67th in scoring defense. Former defensive coordinator Bob Diaco was let go, and Brad Lambert was brought in to replace him. Lambert’s task was simple on paper: improve the defense.
After four games this year, it’s apparent that Lambert has the defense playing at an extremely high level. Purdue is currently 30th in total defense, giving up 301 yards a game. They are 30th in passing yards allowed, and 52nd in yards on the ground.
In the all important area of scoring defense, the Boilermakers have moved from 67th a year ago, to 8th this season. Four games in, Purdue has given up an average of 14.25 points per game, compared to 29.83 a year ago.
Most will assume that Purdue won’t be in the top 10 of scoring defense by season’s end, and I agree that it’s a fair assumption. However, don’t expect the Boilermakers to also revert back to giving up almost 30 points a game. This unit has changed, and changed for the better.
Quarterback Play
Before the season, Jeff Brohm had another decision to make. Who starts at quarterback? After summer and fall camp completed, Brohm tasked junior Jack Plummer as his starter.
Plummer has taken his opportunity this season and ran with it. So far he has thrown for 840 yards, seven touchdowns, and zero interceptions. His completion percentage sits at 69.5, which is 20th in the country and third in the Big Ten.
Having a talent at receiver like David Bell certainly makes life easier for any quarterback. To Plummer’s credit though, he has done a fine job of spreading the ball to his other weapons.
Brohm’s offenses have always been strong through the air, and so far 2021 has been no exception. Look for Plummer to continue leading this 15th ranked passing attack against teams in the West.
The West Division
The Purdue Boilermakers were thought by some to be good enough to compete for a bowl birth this year. Even a 6-6 finish would be a solid year when looking at the schedule and West Division on paper.
However, what we have seen from the West is a reminder of why we don’t play these games on paper.
Wisconsin, a team many thought would represent the West this year, has looked awful on offense. Technically, they have yet to lose a divisional game, but a great deal of concern is coming out of Madison regarding how strong this team is after its performances against Penn State and Notre Dame.
You could copy and paste what I wrote about Wisconsin and substitute Minnesota, however at least the Badgers beat teams they are supposed to beat.
Purdue just beat Illinois, but the Illini challenging for the West title wasn’t happening in year one under Bret Bielema.
Northwestern appears to be in a down year and rebuilding for 2022.
Nebraska is playing better than they did to start the year, but is still finding ways to lose games. Not to mention they already have a divisional loss to Illinois on the season.
That leaves Iowa. The #5 Hawkeyes appear to be the biggest hurdle to winning the West for the Boilermakers.Though even the Hawkeyes aren’t without their flaws: mainly an offense that lacks explosion through the passing game.
The way the season appears to be unfolding, Purdue has a chance many didn’t expect. If Jeff Brohm can continue to have his team play at this high of a level, we may be talking about the Purdue Boilermakers as West Division champs.
After all, it’s been a season of chaos so far. Why not add just a little bit more?