B1G 2017// Purdue Boilermakers Cocktail Party Preview

Hey everybody! I’m happy to report that Rutgers week was before Purdue week this year! I believe this breaks the three year streak of Purdue being the worst team (sometimes by far) in the conference. Things are looking pretty good for Purdue football this Spring!

About Last Season

Let’s not waste too much time on last season. In brief, the Boilermakers lost a bunch of games to start the season (except at Illinois of course, lol). Fourth-year Head Coach Darrell Hazell was fired after losing to Iowa. Gerard Parker was the named interim coach, and Purdue blew a lead in the Bucket Game against Indiana.

In December, Purdue hired Jeff Brohm of Western Kentucky to take over the program. There is finally a reason for optimism at Purdue. Brohm has been very successful at WKU, where he ran an innovative and very successful offense. Football fans haven’t been this excited at Purdue since we beat Terelle Pryor and Ohio State in 2009.

On the Offensive Side of the Ball

The offense should be completely revamped coming into next season. David Blough is the presumed starter at this point, but Brohm has mentioned that he may be willing to play multiple QBs during a game. Jared Sparks may take some reps at QB and WR during the season. Markell Jones and a returning from injury DJ Knox should get most of the carries at running back.

On the wide receiver front, Corey Holmes is transferring from Notre Dame and is projected to slide into a starting spot in the fall. There isn’t a lot of returning talent at the position, and there are a couple of JC transfers who will challenge for playing time. Brycen Hopkins and Cole Herdman should be solid at the tight end position.

The offensive line was an issue last season, and it will probably be a weak spot again in 2017. WKU Guard Forrest Lamp was just drafted in the second round last week; hopefully the coaching staff will be able to continue their strong development work on Purdue’s OL.

On the Defensive Side of the Ball

While Brohm, a former XFL quarterback, is known for his offensive mind, but his defenses in Bowling Green weren’t too bad. Brohm hired Nick Holt and Anthony Poindexter as co-defensive coordinators.

As far as personnel groups go, the linebackers should be the best on the team. Ja’Whaun Bentley, Danny Ezechukwu, and Markus Bailer are pretty talented and the linebackers will need to play well for the defense to have any success.

The defensive line does not have much depth to it, and neither does the secondary. Hopefully the coaches can get the most out of the guys that are there and recruit these positions hard in the near future.

Special Teams

JD Dellinger is back for his sophomore season and will most likely handle placekicking duties after connecting on 10 of 14 field goals last season. Honorable Mention All-B1G Punter Joe Schopper is back, and hopefully not going to have to punt as much as he has in the past.

The Schedule

The non-conference schedule is pretty tough. Hopefully the Louisville game isn’t a blowout, but if it is I’m not going to be too worried about it. Ohio won their MAC division last season, so that game won’t be easy. Mizzou had a bad 2016, but they have been good recently; I can’t say the same for Purdue.

The only important part of the conference schedule is that Purdue finally gets to play Rutgers! We’ve been waiting for this since the announcement was made that the New Jersey Knights were joining the conference.

If You’re Talking to a Purdue Fan Definitely Don’t Do Not Mention

Jeff Brohm, optimism, Brian Brohm, siblings in general, the hostile takeover of Kaplan University, new football facilities (lights), the 2016-17 B1G Champion Basketball Team, the baseball team’s crazy turnaround, Purdue Pete, Orville Redenbacher, astronauts, that Stone Temple Pilots concert where there was a mini-riot (RIP Scott Weiland).

Definitely Do Don’t Mention

Purdue football in general for the last six years or so, that all of Purdue’s QBs transfer to SEC schools, politics (this is for people in general, not only Purdue fans), The Fumble, The Thimble (RIP), The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (all the people were signing, they went na na na na na na, na na na na, na na na na na).

---

So that’s my terrible preview, sorry for its terribleness. Let’s hope that Purdue Week only gets better from here, just like we hope that Purdue football will get better with the new coaching staff.

BOILER UP!

---

B1G 2017: Purdue Week

MONDAY | Cocktail Party Preview

TUESDAY | New Coaches

WEDNESDAY | Let’s visit beautiful West Lafayette, IN 47906

THURSDAY | Basketball Recap

FRIDAY | Hate is my favorite color

EVERYDAYAY | Potlucks