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Post by boilermakerd on Jul 28, 2021 6:20:59 GMT -8
Gebbia looked really good in the games I saw. Lambert, Hagen and English are the real deal as defensive coaches but I’m not sure they fix enough by game one to stop you guys from getting to 35+. Amd I think we score 35 IF your DL isn’t stout. Head coach Jonathan Smith has a great offensive mind. I don’t think of the Beavs as being a polished defensive team yet, but they are making progress. I think our offense will put up a better show than our defense. Gotta love the first games of the season! Everyone is undefeated and dreaming big…Fans wear their colors on their sleeves…So much potential, so many unknowns, so much hope. Good luck, Boilermakers. I hope it’s a great game! Go Beavs!! I don’t dream big or at all. There’s a lot of hope for the boilers. If they managed to answer all the questions on the bottom end as far as neutralizing weaknesses with talent that is already on campus and they stay healthy.. they could go 10-2. Karlaftis and bell are that good. All boiler fans can realistically say is already established is that it’s a 4-8/5-7 team if nothing improved. Once brohm hired Diaco and wasted an entire season on defense with the 3-4.. which to me is a massive waste of time unless you recruit the kind of GOOD NTs that Alabama and Georgia get .. this was always going to be a season where you hope to build for 7-8 wins in 2022.. when the schedule is cake. Not sure if brohm thought Lorenzo MEAL was Ndomikong Suh but he thought wrong If he’d hired lambert, Hagen and English last year instead of Diaco.. Purdue is probably a 10+ favorite reliably. He is reaping the consequences of his stupidity in hiring Diaco. Anyone who does so is making a terrible choice.
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Post by fishbeav on Jul 28, 2021 15:18:26 GMT -8
Thanks for the good Info. I watched some of the Purdue You Tube videos from last year and your info is spot on.
Your receivers are first class and you have an excellent TE. Your running back is a big physical back but not real quick. I don't know how much of you O-line returns but if your QB has to run he is in trouble. He has a very good arm but is slow.
You have a new Defensive coordinator so I'm sure the Defense will be different. The run D did not look imposing and looked susceptible to play action passing.
I'm guessing both teams will score in the 30's
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Post by bleedorange21 on Jul 28, 2021 17:48:25 GMT -8
How is your right tackle on offense and your left cornerback who covers the WR on the offenses right? The reason I ask is that like rondale moore .. David bell and George karlaftis are chain reaction players .. unless you have a player currently playing like a projected first rounder, you’ll need help from other players .. whether that’s leaving a TE at home to block or rolling your coverage on the defense toward bell. Similar to how Jermar Jefferson was established going into last season as a chain reaction player. Which makes it yet again an interesting matchup because while I don’t think you have anyone established at that level .. you have more established as far as quality starters along the 24. I define quality as not exploitable at the big ten pac 12 level. So Aidan O’Connell doesn’t qualify because although he’s an outstanding passer, he’s slower than molasses. Jack plummer doesn’t qualify because despite his legs and size.. he has huge blind spots (the whole left side of the field in the second level and the TE lmao) and the game happens very fast for him. Either of those guys MAY have improved that. If O’Connell did plyometrics all summer and now runs a 4.9, well how he can compete for all conference. So also my question is.. including kicker and punter, how many starters are currently not exploitable at the pac 12 level… ?? like established.. not you hope. Example.. if the SEC transfer ran for x yards and showed signs but wasn’t the every down back and wasn’t a good pass blocker (just an example), you can hope he establishes that this year but I wouldn’t count him yet.. The RT Kipper is a 4 year starter and is pretty solid. His biggest weakness is false starts. He probably goes pro on day 2. If your guy is as dominant as you say they probably will use 11 personel and use Quitoriano as help who is a very good blocker and likely goes pro as well. I could see them chipping him with a back as well. Also lindgren is a very good OC and might take advantage if he's overly aggressive with screens and what not. At CB I'm not sure who will line up on which side. Austin has started and played a lot but is still young as well as Forrest who started as a freshman but opted out last year. Its possible 1 of those guys start but I expect Wright and Jones to start. Jones is a kansas transfer and was a starter and their best DB. Wright didn't play much last year but is highly touted but unproven. He's tall and I expect him to be our best cover corner but like you said that's guessing and isn't a proven commodity. I don't know if any of them are capable of shutting down an elite receiver. Austin and Forrest are good in coverage but Forrest had a hard time playing the ball even though his coverage was good. I would expect them to try and keep things in front of them and not get beat deep.
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Post by boilermakerd on Jul 29, 2021 7:53:19 GMT -8
How is your right tackle on offense and your left cornerback who covers the WR on the offenses right? The reason I ask is that like rondale moore .. David bell and George karlaftis are chain reaction players .. unless you have a player currently playing like a projected first rounder, you’ll need help from other players .. whether that’s leaving a TE at home to block or rolling your coverage on the defense toward bell. Similar to how Jermar Jefferson was established going into last season as a chain reaction player. Which makes it yet again an interesting matchup because while I don’t think you have anyone established at that level .. you have more established as far as quality starters along the 24. I define quality as not exploitable at the big ten pac 12 level. So Aidan O’Connell doesn’t qualify because although he’s an outstanding passer, he’s slower than molasses. Jack plummer doesn’t qualify because despite his legs and size.. he has huge blind spots (the whole left side of the field in the second level and the TE lmao) and the game happens very fast for him. Either of those guys MAY have improved that. If O’Connell did plyometrics all summer and now runs a 4.9, well how he can compete for all conference. So also my question is.. including kicker and punter, how many starters are currently not exploitable at the pac 12 level… ?? like established.. not you hope. Example.. if the SEC transfer ran for x yards and showed signs but wasn’t the every down back and wasn’t a good pass blocker (just an example), you can hope he establishes that this year but I wouldn’t count him yet.. The RT Kipper is a 4 year starter and is pretty solid. His biggest weakness is false starts. He probably goes pro on day 2. If your guy is as dominant as you say they probably will use 11 personel and use Quitoriano as help who is a very good blocker and likely goes pro as well. I could see them chipping him with a back as well. Also lindgren is a very good OC and might take advantage if he's overly aggressive with screens and what not. At CB I'm not sure who will line up on which side. Austin has started and played a lot but is still young as well as Forrest who started as a freshman but opted out last year. Its possible 1 of those guys start but I expect Wright and Jones to start. Jones is a kansas transfer and was a starter and their best DB. Wright didn't play much last year but is highly touted but unproven. He's tall and I expect him to be our best cover corner but like you said that's guessing and isn't a proven commodity. I don't know if any of them are capable of shutting down an elite receiver. Austin and Forrest are good in coverage but Forrest had a hard time playing the ball even though his coverage was good. I would expect them to try and keep things in front of them and not get beat deep. Good synopsis.. Only the right outside receiver is world class. Milton Wright is a world class or call it Alabama class athlete, and a better pure athlete than bell.. but not nearly as polished. Bell has all the things at the big ten level that Jerry rice had in the NFL.. including the lack of blazing speed. Wright is just a deep threat who will threaten the deep areas and take the gimmes underneath. As of the end of last season he wasn’t a guy who could work a corner even 1/10 as much as bell. The reason your NT, who Minnesota fans are telling me is a solid rotational player, nothing more, nothing less .. is so critical is that your secondary will be committed to the two outside guys. If Purdue can run the ball … BUT you’re only committing 5 guys and recovering, that’s on thing. If Purdue can make run the ball and you have to commit 5+… even though anthrop hasn’t starred in 4 years and Sheffield is just an athlete, and even though Durham is hardly brycen Hopkins as an elite TE receiver.. they’ll get open all day. So your D on our O hinges on that. Your NT must plug two blockers and allow excellent mobility for you backers.. they must be allowed to cheat off Horvath, recover, hold him to his 120+ while they widen out on the four receivers O’Connell will very likely be the starter .. your right, he can’t run at all. But he struggles more when Wisconsin brings exotic blitzes out of a 4-3 look to try to shorten the play than I imagine he would against a 3-4. If he has time, he’s very good and has a gamer comeback quality about him. He’s just slower than my mom. Our D? Good luck figuring it out. Karlaftis was a 4-3 DE as a freshman and looked like Ryan Kerrigan looked as an upper classman.. as a TRUE freshman. Last year they switched to a 3-4 and wasted karlaftis as a 3-4 DE? Wtf?? Then he was out with injury and covid. When he played we beat Iowa and Illinois… even wasting his talent standing up linemen. When he was out your high school could have scored on us. I can delve into specifics on our D that you guys can read or not .. but it will have to be later
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Post by boilermakerd on Jul 29, 2021 8:34:37 GMT -8
I keep quoting the wrong post sorry guys
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Post by boilermakerd on Jul 29, 2021 8:51:35 GMT -8
Karlaftis as a true freshman two years ago.. played out of position and missed most of last year.
Pretty rare when Clemson coaches are snooping around west Lafayette for a five star DE. Stayed home due to a family connection. 7 sacks and 17.5 tfl two years ago. Purdue might go 50 years before they get a lineman that good (at least as a true freshman) again … won’t look like he belongs on the same field with the rest of the defense lol..
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Post by fishbeav on Jul 29, 2021 9:22:50 GMT -8
I'm curious why you feel Wright is your only world class wideout. I watched the you tube videos of some of your games last year and was really impressed with Bell.
OSU had a receiver a few years back (Mike Haas) that didn't have great speed all he could do was get open and catch every pass that got close. He won the Bilitnikoff award. Bell strikes me as being in that vein and I mean that as a compliment.
I really feel that this is a first game that could really test both defenses that are trying to improve.
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Post by bleedorange21 on Jul 29, 2021 12:34:01 GMT -8
I'm curious why you feel Wright is your only world class wideout. I watched the you tube videos of some of your games last year and was really impressed with Bell. OSU had a receiver a few years back (Mike Haas) that didn't have great speed all he could do was get open and catch every pass that got close. He won the Bilitnikoff award. Bell strikes me as being in that vein and I mean that as a compliment. I really feel that this is a first game that could really test both defenses that are trying to improve. He said Bell is the world class one and Wright just has world class athleticism.
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Post by boilermakerd on Jul 30, 2021 4:26:09 GMT -8
I'm curious why you feel Wright is your only world class wideout. I watched the you tube videos of some of your games last year and was really impressed with Bell. OSU had a receiver a few years back (Mike Haas) that didn't have great speed all he could do was get open and catch every pass that got close. He won the Bilitnikoff award. Bell strikes me as being in that vein and I mean that as a compliment. I really feel that this is a first game that could really test both defenses that are trying to improve. I’ll give you an accurate scouting report on everyone we have… aka opposite of a TCU fan. David bell - has the size and runs about a 4.5-4.55.. when I say Jerry rice I don’t mean quality…. But he’s at least the most polished receiver with the physical tools that I can recall seeing since Larry Fitzgerald.. example.. a lot of guys like Milton Wright have the size and blazing speed and no polish. They are gonna run by you and the offense is designed to get them open. You could drop bell off on Michigan in 1987.., i formation, one tight end, two receivers, no targeting.. and he’d excel. He catches everything, he can work a defender, work a defense and is a flawless route runner.. at the power 5 level he’s as good as it gets. Milton Wright is 6’3” and runs a sub 4.4, but the polish and the ability to work a defense or a defender has not been there to this point. He’s more like “oh we run a 2021 offense and there’s space wide open for me to run to? And I got a gimme ball thrown to me and now im using my speed to get another 15 yards.. ok, great.” Milton Wright, to this point, has not demonstrated that he’s gonna see your defense taking the corner away, bait them, stick his left foot in the ground and leave them with their back turned as he is open on a crossed for a first down. Bell will do that all day. No one else has played on the outside.. last years slot receivers combined for 10 catches for 63 yards and no touchdowns outside of rondale moore. Anthrop is shifty but not fast. His best season came in 2017 as a true freshman.. tj Sheffield is just an athlete who they put out there last year to groom for the slot but he was more of an athlete than any kind of receiver. Supposedly he won the job but he looked like.. an athlete who had no idea how to play receiver last year. The slot is our weakest skill position. If you see TJ Sheffield and or HB King doerue making big plays and looking comfortable.. that’s bad lol. But I’d be delusional to expect it. I don’t even bank on highly coveted transfers doing a single thing for US.. until they do it. It’s a weird team. Bell and karlaftis are established power five stars who demand a double team. Even our other 5 established big ten quality starters (Durham, Wright, Horvath, trice and Allen) all have questions to answer before any reasonable person could confidently say that they will do x, y and z… with the entire rest of the team there are at LEAST as many questions as answers with each player in their role
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Post by boilermakerd on Jul 30, 2021 4:37:02 GMT -8
By the way one thing I really fear about Gebbia is that… a lot of times with college QBs who have a receiver open between a defender and out of bounds can’t throw over the defender without throwing it too far.. he seems very accurate at like hitting a receiver beason behind the defense in a tight window without throwing it out of bounds..
So there could be many big plays vs us that Adrian Martinez would have no chance at converting
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Post by boilermakerd on Jul 30, 2021 4:58:15 GMT -8
Also similar to karlaftis and bell.. I’m imagining your center won’t need much help with Lawrence Johnson. Johnson has the size, but hasn’t shown he’s particularly explosive. That said he was a 3-4 nose last year which is more demanding. I imagine your center won’t need full time help to stop Johnson. I wouldn’t be surprised if you had some nice gains over NT and if the Oregon state OL could roll their blocking to the outsides ..
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Post by boilermakerd on Jul 30, 2021 6:46:25 GMT -8
I'm curious why you feel Wright is your only world class wideout. I watched the you tube videos of some of your games last year and was really impressed with Bell. OSU had a receiver a few years back (Mike Haas) that didn't have great speed all he could do was get open and catch every pass that got close. He won the Bilitnikoff award. Bell strikes me as being in that vein and I mean that as a compliment. I really feel that this is a first game that could really test both defenses that are trying to improve. I think there are games against a cal poly where you aren’t tested and don’t improve .. then there are games where your opponent is so much better than you that some guys can lose confidence before they get going .. or worse, get hurt. Then there are games like this one where both teams, win or lose, can look back and honestly feel that they Were so evenly matched that they both got better. But we will only be an even match if lambert has solidified the D and reversed the damage Diaco did to SOME extent
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Post by bleedorange21 on Jul 30, 2021 16:09:19 GMT -8
I'm curious why you feel Wright is your only world class wideout. I watched the you tube videos of some of your games last year and was really impressed with Bell. OSU had a receiver a few years back (Mike Haas) that didn't have great speed all he could do was get open and catch every pass that got close. He won the Bilitnikoff award. Bell strikes me as being in that vein and I mean that as a compliment. I really feel that this is a first game that could really test both defenses that are trying to improve. I think there are games against a cal poly where you aren’t tested and don’t improve .. then there are games where your opponent is so much better than you that some guys can lose confidence before they get going .. or worse, get hurt. Then there are games like this one where both teams, win or lose, can look back and honestly feel that they Were so evenly matched that they both got better. But we will only be an even match if lambert has solidified the D and reversed the damage Diaco did to SOME extent Watched some highlights of you guys from last season. Bell definitely looks like the real deal. The CBs versus your top 2 receivers will definitely be a matchup to watch. We struggled to get pressure last year but the year before our guy finished 3rd in the nation is sacks despite being hurt the last 2 games so who knows what will happen this year. That's why although not proven yet Gumbs the Oklahoma transfer could be a game changer at OLB. He played as a freshman at Oklahoma before getting hurt which is nothing to shrug about. I'm a little less worried about your run game as both of our ILB had over 80 tackles in 7 games despite 1 of them missing the last game.They fly to the ball and tackle well 1 on 1 and have good size. On the other side the matchup to watch I think will be the battle between the lines. As said they all return and man handled some very talented defensive fronts. They struggled pass blocking the first game but then really dialed it in and kept the QB pretty well protected and did a good job opening holes and getting to the second level. I think they will get their yards on the ground even if you guys put 8 in the box like many teams tried last year. The question is can they slow down your top pass rusher who also looks legit. Does he stay at LE or switch? Kipper is good but has had a lot of false starts and if your guy scares him I can see him trying to get an early jump and getting penalties. The other guy isn't as experienced but got 2and team all league as a freshman his first season starting and I expect him to build off of that.
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Post by boilermakerd on Jul 31, 2021 13:31:23 GMT -8
Our defense
They switch from the 3-4 disaster last year back to either a 4-2-5 like they ran in 2019 under nick holt or a 4-3.. they’ll have a former safety playing linebacker in Jalen Graham so maybe that’s the 5, but they’ll also probably have a hybrid guy at the DE opposite karlaftis. The guy they have (Mitchell) is an big explosive athlete but he stood up last year as a 3-4 OLB
SSDE George karlaftis - already described
If karlaftis comes out or gets hurt, the backup is Jack Sullivan. Sullivan is a tweener DE/DT .. he’s a 6’6” 290 lb guy who looks more like a OT. If he gets in, cheer, because he won’t get to the QB unless he holds the ball all day. Tough kid, not a big ten level player at either DE or DT. After him is former four star Joe Anderson transferring from South Carolina. But here’s the thing.. these guys transfer for a reason most of the time. Ive heard Anderson maybe doesn’t have the motor. So until he establishes something, I am not banking on anything
NT Lawrence Johnson - he’s got the size, but I’ve never seen him do anything in 2 years except not get pushed around at times. Now in his fourth year, I wouldn’t be surprised if he holds his own, but I’m not expecting Lorenzo Neal pre injury and weight gain. At times last year he looked like he could be OKAY at the big ten level by this year with a good offseason
His likely backups have not played for Purdue. There is transfer Demarje Lewis from Indiana, who was apparently offered by everyone in the nation. He was recruited to Indiana by ace DL coach mark hagen. When Hagen left for Purdue apparently Lewis went with him. He’s 6’1” 300 and supposedly is explosive at either spot. However, again, until he does something I bank on absolutely nothing.
Bryce austin is a 6’2” 305 5.6 RR redshirt freshman who I’ve heard is ready to get in the mix.
3 technique Branson Deen - he’s a grow a lineman.. came in as a DE and grew to a 285 ish 3 tech. Purdue people will say “oh you can play 3 tech at that size” but I’ve never seen the explosiveness you actually need to do that. He’s shown flashes and who knows.. next to a healthy karlaftis maybe he does more, but so far, like Johnson, he’s been.. fine.
After Deen you may see Sullivan.. who will just be too lanky to do much at that spot. Or perhaps Lewis.. it’s also possible that former four star Greg Hudgins gets in the mix but he hasn’t played yet
WDE/hybrid - Demarcus Mitchell is a Louisiana tech transfer who played standing up and with his hand in the dirty. He’s an explosive 6’2” 265 but didn’t do much, as once karlaftis was out, the DL was nonexistent. I think he has the talent to do big things but nothing is established.
Kydran Jenkins is his backup. Jenkins is a 3 star who has never played. But here’s where things get interesting and where brohm is a lot like former coach Danny hope.. don’t be shocked if, if Mitchell is out or nicked up, you see Sullivan opposite karlaftis.. and then your QB will be able to get comfortable.
Weakside linebacker - jaylan Alexander - Alexander was kind of the second best linebacker to both Markus Bailey two years ago, then Derrick Barnes last year. He’s a decent sized backer with good athleticism who can play all spots but again, as Purdue’s best returning backer, he’s only ever shown that he can be alright as a second backer.
OC brothers - the Auburn transfer is allegedly a man among boys in practice and the thought is that he’d be playing a lot at auburn. If things went well this off-season, brothers will cover a lot of ground on the weakside with a lot of physicality and Alexander can move to the middle.. BECAUSE
MLB - semisi fakasiieki is exploitable.. when Barnes missed time last year the coaches went to fakasiieki, the former California juco transfer.. you guys would be the worst team for him to be on the field against. He’s big ten level as a run stopper. As a pass defender, unless the game just had not slowed down for him .. he just can’t cover ground. If lambert was worth bringing in, he will have brothers at WLB and Alexander at mlb .. both cover a lot of ground.. important against a team like you guys. Semisi should be reserved for iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois
SLB - Jalen Graham .. Graham started as a safety two years ago, but he just got worked and wasn’t a safety. Had the athleticism and body, but just blew too many coverages and struggles when he has to turn in coverage. He is physical even for a linebacker, but I wouldn’t even say he covered good for a linebacker .. this is why karlaftis is so key. If he can get your TE to stay at home, even for a little, then Graham can keep the play in front of him.
Y. Karlaftis - a true freshman four star who was coveted by Ohio state .. apparently he was out with a hamstring all of his senior year and it kept him out in the spring. He may not be ready for you guys. He’s supposed to be very athletic, an ace in coverage and a huge hitter. None of this would be a surprise having seen George .
RCB Cory trice - another big ten level starter trice is 6’3” with enough athleticism to play corner.. he’s shown flashes but it isn’t like he’s a consistent playmaker . The thing with he and safety cam Allen is that they have both been covering for a lot of weaknesses on defense. Tough to tell how good they are.
Anthony romph - RFr. With good size and athleticism .. hasn’t played yet.
Free safety cam Allen - athletic, physical, had a nose for the ball and making plays. He’s made plays despite covering for a lot of weaknesses both in terms of players and coaches. All big ten talent.. especially if he’s not picking up the slack for others
Sanoussi Kane - 3 star RFr. Who hasn’t played .. wouldn’t be surprised to see Nyles Beverly, a corner, get in the mix if Allen is out. Strong safety - Marvin grant .. this is the most interesting position on the defense other than MLB/WLB. Grant was a four star everyone wanted to convert to a LB. he came to Purdue cause they promised he’d be a safety. Grant is an very athletic safety who is a big time hitter. Problem.. in both seasons at Purdue he’s come out and looked like a guy who could do things we haven’t seen at the position since Bernard pollard.. and then gotten hurt in short order in both seasons.
Antonio stevens - 3 star Rfr who hasn’t played. So if grant or Allen are out, I don’t expect Purdue to stop the big plays. Grant is the second most important player on the defense besides OC brothers. He’s the kind of guy who can run with a slot receiver and hit a TE hard.. we will see if he can stay healthy
LCB Dedrick Mackey - he’s been on the team for a while but he has always appeared stiff, needed to give a big cushion and allowed a lot of nickel and dime stuff underneath, while also getting beat up top.. he’s the plan now but they need to establish better
CJ McWilliams .. I’d expect the Florida transfer to compete for his job, but I haven’t seen him yet so..
Anthony Romph or nyles beverly may take the job. Neither has played yet. One of many positions where, even without bell and karlaftis I’d be much happier playing you guys next year.
So there it is.. If you see brothers, grant, Lewis and McWilliams out there playing well, that’s bad. Could be held below 28. If you see Sullivan, both Deen and Johnson, fakasiieki and someone other than grant, you’ll score 42+. Purdue loses because they always have one or two guys on both sides of the ball that opponents can pick on and build a game plan around.
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Post by boilermakerd on Aug 1, 2021 5:41:37 GMT -8
I think there are games against a cal poly where you aren’t tested and don’t improve .. then there are games where your opponent is so much better than you that some guys can lose confidence before they get going .. or worse, get hurt. Then there are games like this one where both teams, win or lose, can look back and honestly feel that they Were so evenly matched that they both got better. But we will only be an even match if lambert has solidified the D and reversed the damage Diaco did to SOME extent Watched some highlights of you guys from last season. Bell definitely looks like the real deal. The CBs versus your top 2 receivers will definitely be a matchup to watch. We struggled to get pressure last year but the year before our guy finished 3rd in the nation is sacks despite being hurt the last 2 games so who knows what will happen this year. That's why although not proven yet Gumbs the Oklahoma transfer could be a game changer at OLB. He played as a freshman at Oklahoma before getting hurt which is nothing to shrug about. I'm a little less worried about your run game as both of our ILB had over 80 tackles in 7 games despite 1 of them missing the last game.They fly to the ball and tackle well 1 on 1 and have good size. On the other side the matchup to watch I think will be the battle between the lines. As said they all return and man handled some very talented defensive fronts. They struggled pass blocking the first game but then really dialed it in and kept the QB pretty well protected and did a good job opening holes and getting to the second level. I think they will get their yards on the ground even if you guys put 8 in the box like many teams tried last year. The question is can they slow down your top pass rusher who also looks legit. Does he stay at LE or switch? Kipper is good but has had a lot of false starts and if your guy scares him I can see him trying to get an early jump and getting penalties. The other guy isn't as experienced but got 2and team all league as a freshman his first season starting and I expect him to build off of that. It’s not so much that the running game should worry anyone, it’s whether or not the threat of the run holds the front 7 in place for very long or draws defenders. Against Purdue, a lot will get open on the passing game pretty quickly. You’d need to hold Horvath to around 100 yards with little attention needed from your back 7. Teams that have beat us when karlaftis was healthy were physical big ten teams that could stonewall the run with their defensive lines, no linebackers needed. Only a delusional Purdue fan would think that Purdue is gonna line up and run on you guys all day UNLESS King Doerue was healthy all off-season and made the kind of progress we were all expecting last year. As to the running game, If you had Jefferson I’d worry. The teams that run all over Purdue with a healthy karlaftis would be like Wisconsin. I remember Keyshawn Vaughn rushed for like 1300 yards in the SEC in 2018 and got 56 yards on 17 carries against Purdue. Minnesota and Iowa were both held to less than 100.. Nebraska’s running back got 18 yards. There were funny circumstances in some other games. Illinois was played in a monsoon so both offenses were run only. Maryland had a lot of yards with a running QB during garbage time while being blown out and northwestern didn’t really have a QB that year so their whole offense was running. The teams that knocked us off the line were TCU, penn state and Wisconsin .. and im not quite seeing that, because those were lines that were explosive but also had some huge linemen. My worry against a pac 12 team is what my worry is against all teams since 2003.. Purdue’s linebackers and safeties have not covered the pass well in many years and usually teams can throw the football end up with a lot of open receivers in the middle of the field. You guys won’t get stonewalled but I don’t expect your backs to run wild all day. I expect gebbia or whoever to have a big day throwing the ball. When I think about Jalen Graham, Marvin grant, Alexander, brothers, Mitchell .. I think about passing game vulnerabilities. As a run stopper grant almost reminds me of former Michigan linebacker Devin bush .. even Purdue’s weaker regulars who may appear like fakasiieki and Sullivan have passing game vulnerabilities .. they are tough and good against the run .. typical big ten I don’t know if karlaftis will play left only or the boundary .. I believe when nick holt ran a similar defense in 2019 he was flipped around but I don’t know if lambert will do that
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