Depends on Thorson, if he’s ready to play and isn’t ginger on his ACL which I think he will be .. I am still on the fence with this game and have no clue .. too many variables...
This Thursday Purdue or Northwestern?
- Thread starter Hawkeyeinsoutherncalifornia
- Start date
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anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba
Guest
Purdue is an improving program, but scary? Not there yet.
I don’t care who wins but I really like meaningful conference games early like this to start the season.
This. Brohm and the Boilers were last years darlings. We'll see how this year and next go. We keep hearing how the turtles at Maryland are building a powerhouse as well, and yet the whole thing seems to be imploding. Each year is different with a new set of challenges.
Yes, so long as it isn’t Iowa.
My thinking is this: If Purdue exceeds expectations again this year, the big dogs will come calling for Brohm and Purdue is right back to the basement with Illinois. Pat Fitzgerald isn’t going anywhere, regardless of how well NU does.
So root for Purdue here to speed up their return to mediocrity.
So root for Purdue here to speed up their return to mediocrity.
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I'm actually looking forward to watching this game
With Brohm, pretty much everyone expected better offensive output from Purdue, but their defense was a revelation.
They lose nearly everyone from that defense. Until they prove they can replace those bodies and maintain that level of success, I'm not buying them.
They lose nearly everyone from that defense. Until they prove they can replace those bodies and maintain that level of success, I'm not buying them.
It’s a big game to see if NW is a player this year. Fitzgerald teams have started slowly the pst few years and finished strong. If they win this game, they could most certainly be a player in the West.
Maybe it’s the name but I’m not overly worried about Purdue.
Maybe it’s the name but I’m not overly worried about Purdue.
I see it the other way around. Much of the Wildcat's pieces return on O ... and Purdue has a completely reworked D. Besides, NW is traditionally more of a defense oriented team - I think that they will be prepared for Brohm's O.
Northwestern the last 2 years have came out of the gate slow, will they this year?? NW is a lot like Iowa they improve as the season moves forward..
I think Purdue wins in a close one..
I think Purdue wins in a close one..
Scary enough to have defeated and out coach the Hawks last year.
Purdue was 1-8 in the B1G in 2016
1-7 in 2015
1-7 in 2014
its my opinion that Purdue went 4-5 last year not because of the seniors... but because of the coach
look at Jeff Brohm
before Brohm at Western Kentucky
2011 7-5
2012 7-6
2013 8-4
with Brohm
2014 8-5
2015 12-2 (8-0 Conference)
2016 10-3 (7-1 Conference)
last season Purdue with Jeff Brohm they go 7-6 (4-5) with a bowl win
they also ended the year with 3 straight wins
Jeff Brohm went undefeated in conference play his 2nd year with Western Kentucky
we'll see how he does his 2nd year with Purdue
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on the other side, there's Northwestern
in 2017 Northwestern was 10-3 (7-2)
Northwestern has 2 10-win seasons in the last 3 years
3 10-win seasons the last 6 years
they've also beaten Iowa the last 2 years
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I view this game as an elimination game
West Contenders:
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Purdue
Iowa
the loser of this game is most likely out of the race
so also is the Wisconsin v Iowa game an elimination game
not guaranteed... but highly likely, imo
1-7 in 2015
1-7 in 2014
its my opinion that Purdue went 4-5 last year not because of the seniors... but because of the coach
look at Jeff Brohm
before Brohm at Western Kentucky
2011 7-5
2012 7-6
2013 8-4
with Brohm
2014 8-5
2015 12-2 (8-0 Conference)
2016 10-3 (7-1 Conference)
last season Purdue with Jeff Brohm they go 7-6 (4-5) with a bowl win
they also ended the year with 3 straight wins
Jeff Brohm went undefeated in conference play his 2nd year with Western Kentucky
we'll see how he does his 2nd year with Purdue
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on the other side, there's Northwestern
in 2017 Northwestern was 10-3 (7-2)
Northwestern has 2 10-win seasons in the last 3 years
3 10-win seasons the last 6 years
they've also beaten Iowa the last 2 years
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I view this game as an elimination game
West Contenders:
Wisconsin
Northwestern
Purdue
Iowa
the loser of this game is most likely out of the race
so also is the Wisconsin v Iowa game an elimination game
not guaranteed... but highly likely, imo
With only four returning starters on defense it remains to be seen if Purdue can match or improve on that side of the ball this season. It should be an entertaining and closely matched game but I think NW will prevail. Looking forward to it.
That is exactly how I see it too in 2018. If I'm looking at this game as what is best for Iowa I'm going to be pulling for Purdue as I think Northwestern is the greater threat for the west crown.
I guess I haven't kept up with the status of NW key piece on offense. Is Thorson expected to be 100% ready for this Thursday? Was his injury in the bowl game? If so 8 months is pretty tight on an ACL injury. I would be suprised if he was as mobile as previously, but we'll see. I think its a little misleading to say that they return most of their key pieces on offense. They also lost their best all purpose back in school history in Jackson. I know they like their new guy, but thats like saying whoever replaces Barkley at PSU will bring the same level of play. Pretty unlikely........
Jackson was great ... but the new guy will be productive too. It's just like how I expect Iowa to be able to run the ball well too .... despite losing Wadley.
Brohm is excellent AND it appears as though his staff is pretty good too. However, I wouldn't underestimate the SRs he had last year. They were tired of losing ... and once Brohm gave them some hope, they managed to string along some victories.
Not quite...
West Contenders: (Decided on the home B1G Ten opener
- Wisconsin
- Iowa
3rd Place Contenders:
- Northwestern
- Purdue
5th Place
- Minn
- Debby
Actually those up and coming types are usually the scariest ones to play because they're so wildly inconsistent.........like Iowa!
But really though, Purdue is going to come out with the proverbial chip on their shoulders because they have something to prove, but also had some success so they know they can.....that's what makes them dangerous (when the commoner knows the king is weak).
I like Purdue in this early season game at home. If it was midseason, or at Northwestern, it would be a MUCH tougher call.
Btw, Minnesota hosts New Mexico State, as well. The Gophers should win, but they have typically looked pretty sloppy in openers over recent seasons.
If Gerry DiNardo is to be believed, he claimed that Iowa, Northwestern, and Nebraska could be contending with Wisconsin this year.
He also claimed that Wisconsin and Purdue may have the hardest time living up to their respective hype this year.
I don't know if Nebraska rightly belongs in the discussion ... but I do know that they just might have the conferences best group of WRs. Their RBs are experienced ... and a few are even pretty good. Thus, if the QB can be competent and if the scheme can overcome other shortcomings ... then they might, in fact, be better than some folks suspect.
Furthermore, as we all know, their D really cannot get any worse than it was last year.
My own impression is that Nebraska is still a year or two off from the convo .... and Iowa and Northwestern are the primary ones who have a shot to dethrone Wisconsin this year.
I guess I would have to take NW, and a lot of that depends on there QB situation, but I think they are still a step up on Purdue in talent for now, but we may not be able to say that next year.
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anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba
Guest
I guess I have to side and say Purdue will win this one as there’s so many “ifs” with Northwestern however it could go either way .. maybe a last second score will determine this one?
