A good feeling about the NW game

[MilwaukeeBoilerFan]

Not trying to disrespect NW at all as their record shows they are very competitive and win close games when it counts. I'm just saying playing three O.T.'s in a row can be a confidence builder and yet an emotional roller coaster which could be their false sense of security. I look at their PF and PA on their team and we matchup quite well. If we could get a few players heathy on Defense and Sindelar gets his passing in rythm with some touch passes vs constant fastballs and overthrows, we can be with them to the finish of this game.

I'm calling it now PUR 24 NW 17 in regulation. I like our defense a lot this year (with only exception to NEB end of game series). We have enough moxy to compete and beat them.

 

[rgarlitz]

Just don't go into O.T.

 

[FLAG HUNTER]

No reason Purdue can't win, unless more injuries happen this week to key players

 

[TheBoris]

No reason Purdue can't win, unless more injuries happen this week to key players

We are 5-6 point dogs.

 

[FLAG HUNTER]

We are 5-6 point dogs.

True but a few plays can make a big difference.

 

[Frankie611]

We are 5-6 point dogs.

It seems we always beat the spread when we are underdogs and blow it when we are favored. I will take 6 point dogs. Let's beat the spread by 7 this week.

 

[Wolegib]

We need this game to reach 6-6 , because the likelihood of beating Iowa is small. it's a winnable game. Our defense can hang with anybody. our offense has to step up. especially our receivers.

 

[TC4THREE]

I don't see it, especially without Blough. I'd be thrilled to be wrong though.

 

[spradecki]

sindelar will be fine

 

[punaj]

Sindelar is the man now and he knows it. Should get all the reps in practice. I favored Blough but it will be nice to see a one QB system from the start of the game to see where his confidence is at. There was one pass last game where he really took a lot off his pass for a completion over the top of the defense that was quite impressive. I can see him wanting to win this one for David.

 

[PaBoiler78]

sindelar will be fine

should see more of Sparks to run the option game though.

 

[Boiler Wolf]

If it was in Ross-Ade, I think we would have a decent chance. On the road, I don't have a good feeling about it. Thought Northwestern looked good against Nebraska. I do agree that they having to go through 3 OTs games has to wear on you though.

 

[PurdueTiger]

I am looking forward to this one.Northwestern is tough and well coached,but Purdue is three points away from being 6 and 3.Boiler up!

 

[FirstDownB]

Any injury updates on Hunte and McCollum? And other than the obvious loss of Blough, were any new injuries sustained against Illinois?

The way the defense is playing, I would love to see them at full strength on Saturday. Maybe, just maybe the trial by fire of some backups has developed a bit of depth that when healthy, the defense can now hold up for 4th quarters against a good team. Healthy is the key word.

 

[spradecki]

should see more of Sparks to run the option game though.

I’m good with that too.
I kinda like 2 qbs. I know many don’t but actually not all bad imo

 

[PaBoiler78]

I’m good with that too.
I kinda like 2 qbs. I know many don’t but actually not all bad imo

the only problem I see w/ this is you are telling their D basically it's going to be a run. Would love to see Sparks used , run an option play or two then let him do some RPO's to keep them off balanced.

 

[pboiler18]

the only problem I see w/ this is you are telling their D basically it's going to be a run. Would love to see Sparks used , run an option play or two then let him do some RPO's to keep them off balanced.

I’d imagine there are RPOs in Sparks’ package.

They’ll stay on the shelf until a game like NW or IU where we need them to win!

 

[BoilerBulldog]

We definitely could use a bunch of Purdue alums from the Chicago area in attendance making some noise.

 

[SunnyFL24]

should see more of Sparks to run the option game though.

Wouldn't be surprised if he isn't in there for at least half dozen plays or more..............

 

[TC4THREE]

I'd like to see a healthy dose of Sparks as well. Would like to see them both in the huddle for many plays that way the defense has to wait to see who is set to take the snap each play.

 

[FirstDownB]

I think Sparks could be on the field quite a bit on Saturday. With him on the field, the defense won't know for certain who is at QB until we line up. Even then, I bet Brohm has some things up his sleeve if NW sells out on stopping the run.

How cool would it be to see Sparks and Sindelar line up next to each other in shotgun? Empty backfield, 2 TE.

1. Shotgun snap to Sparks
Wildcat run

2. Shotgun snap to Sparks
Lateral to Sindelar
Wheel route back to Sparks

3. Shotgun snap to Sindelar
Handoff to Sparks

4. Shotgun snap to Sindelar
Fake handoff to Sparks
Fly pattern to WR

5. Shotgun snap to Sparks
QB draw

6. Shotgun snap to Sparks
Fake Lateral to Sindelar
Deep crossing pattern to TE

Ok, I'll wake up now!

 

[MilwaukeeBoilerFan]

Would be fun, but want to see high successful plays vs high risk with fumble or putting the other QB at risk of injury if setup took too long.

 

[Purdue85]

I think Sparks could be on the field quite a bit on Saturday. With him on the field, the defense won't know for certain who is at QB until we line up. Even then, I bet Brohm has some things up his sleeve if NW sells out on stopping the run.

How cool would it be to see Sparks and Sindelar line up next to each other in shotgun? Empty backfield, 2 TE.

1. Shotgun snap to Sparks
Wildcat run

2. Shotgun snap to Sparks
Lateral to Sindelar
Wheel route back to Sparks

3. Shotgun snap to Sindelar
Handoff to Sparks

4. Shotgun snap to Sindelar
Fake handoff to Sparks
Fly pattern to WR

5. Shotgun snap to Sparks
QB draw

6. Shotgun snap to Sparks
Fake Lateral to Sindelar
Deep crossing pattern to TE

Ok, I'll wake up now!

I don't want to see Sindelar in the game for anything other than to take the snap and hand off or throw the ball.

no 'decoy' (my word), no lateral, no nothing that could increase the chance of injury.

Wildcat is fine with Sparks in the backfield. Yes, I'd love to see Sparks have a RPO, but I'm guessing there's a reason we've seen him NUMEROUS times behind center, but has ZERO passing attempts!

 

[GOUNUII]

Not trying to disrespect NW at all as their record shows they are very competitive and win close games when it counts. I'm just saying playing three O.T.'s in a row can be a confidence builder and yet an emotional roller coaster which could be their false sense of security. I look at their PF and PA on their team and we matchup quite well. If we could get a few players heathy on Defense and Sindelar gets his passing in rythm with some touch passes vs constant fastballs and overthrows, we can be with them to the finish of this game.

I'm calling it now PUR 24 NW 17 in regulation. I like our defense a lot this year (with only exception to NEB end of game series). We have enough moxy to compete and beat them.

Brohm has done a great job in a short time turning things around at Purdue. I thought it was a great hire at the time, and he hasn't done anything to change my opinion. Boilers will be tough to beat. Defense has been especially impressive at times. No good reason why anybody should look at this game as anything other than a toss up.

Key to game. Who runs the ball better. Hold NU to less than 150 running the ball, and I think the edge goes to Purdue. Just don't' sleep on the back up RB in Purple. Like Jackson, Larken can make plays and will likely get his touches.

Congrats on a great hire in Brohm. And best wishes for an injury free game on Saturday.

GOUNUII

 

[arcb102000]

Brohm has done a great job in a short time turning things around at Purdue. I thought it was a great hire at the time, and he hasn't done anything to change my opinion. Boilers will be tough to beat. Defense has been especially impressive at times. No good reason why anybody should look at this game as anything other than a toss up.

Key to game. Who runs the ball better. Hold NU to less than 150 running the ball, and I think the edge goes to Purdue. Just don't' sleep on the back up RB in Purple. Like Jackson, Larken can make plays and will likely get his touches.

Congrats on a great hire in Brohm. And best wishes for an injury free game on Saturday.

GOUNUII

NW is one team that I like to see do well. I root for them EXCEPT when they play Purdue. I lived in Evanston for a short time, it is a nice town.

I know a number of NU alums. They are all nice and the posters from there that come here are always classy. Good luck on Sat, but I hope that we beat you. (I also see it as a tossup game.)

 

[FirstDownB]

Brohm has done a great job in a short time turning things around at Purdue. I thought it was a great hire at the time, and he hasn't done anything to change my opinion. Boilers will be tough to beat. Defense has been especially impressive at times. No good reason why anybody should look at this game as anything other than a toss up.

Key to game. Who runs the ball better. Hold NU to less than 150 running the ball, and I think the edge goes to Purdue. Just don't' sleep on the back up RB in Purple. Like Jackson, Larken can make plays and will likely get his touches.

Congrats on a great hire in Brohm. And best wishes for an injury free game on Saturday.

GOUNUII

Thorson scares me more than your backs. We’ve given up a lot of passing yards to some average QBs this year. The run defense has been pretty stout against running backs. Mobile QBs cause some problems. Wouldn’t surprise me if Thorson passes for 300 and runs for 50.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

NW is one team that I like to see do well. I root for them EXCEPT when they play Purdue. I lived in Evanston for a short time, it is a nice town.

I know a number of NU alums. They are all nice and the posters from there that come here are always classy. Good luck on Sat, but I hope that we beat you. (I also see it as a tossup game.)

Well Northwestern is the only other school in the B1G where 90% of their fans actually graduated from like us.

 

[GOUNUII]

Thorson scares me more than your backs. We’ve given up a lot of passing yards to some average QBs this year. The run defense has been pretty stout against running backs. Mobile QBs cause some problems. Wouldn’t surprise me if Thorson passes for 300 and runs for 50.

We're a better team when Thorson makes some first downs with his feet. The opportunities have been there most of the year. He hasn't always taken them.

Jackson and Larken are both good receivers out of the backfield. In cold weather and against a stout run defense, Boiler fans may want to keep an eye on that possibility. I also expect you'll see the Boilers try to go wide in the running game. Our up the middle run defense is very good. Not so good against jet sweeps and the like.

First team to 20 or more wins in regulation? I'm thinking Purdue controls the game for the most part, but stalls in the red zone and Cats kick a FG with seconds to go to win 17-16.

GOUNUII

 

[OldStyle1902]

Have lots of respect for coach Fitz and the Cats.
With that being said, Boilers grind one out in Evanston 27 -23.

Good luck tomorrow night!

 

[FirstDownB]

We're a better team when Thorson makes some first downs with his feet. The opportunities have been there most of the year. He hasn't always taken them.

Jackson and Larken are both good receivers out of the backfield. In cold weather and against a stout run defense, Boiler fans may want to keep an eye on that possibility. I also expect you'll see the Boilers try to go wide in the running game. Our up the middle run defense is very good. Not so good against jet sweeps and the like.

First team to 20 or more wins in regulation? I'm thinking Purdue controls the game for the most part, but stalls in the red zone and Cats kick a FG with seconds to go to win 17-16.

GOUNUII

Agreed on passing to your backs. That is a bad matchup for us and has been exploited in other games. Rutgers was able to get a 1-on-1 matchup with a RB against our edge rushing LB/DE hybrid. The result was an easy touchdown. Holt will probably play a lot of zone for this reason and give up underneath stuff in order to avoid busting a big play. He'll probably opt to make Thorson & Co. move the ball methodically down the field, hope for a mistake, and then trust his defense on a compressed field in the red zone, where we are much much improved, but which unfortunately is also where Northwestern has been really good.

 

[boilerbusdriver]

Not trying to disrespect NW at all as their record shows they are very competitive and win close games when it counts. I'm just saying playing three O.T.'s in a row can be a confidence builder and yet an emotional roller coaster which could be their false sense of security. I look at their PF and PA on their team and we matchup quite well. If we could get a few players heathy on Defense and Sindelar gets his passing in rythm with some touch passes vs constant fastballs and overthrows, we can be with them to the finish of this game.

I'm calling it now PUR 24 NW 17 in regulation. I like our defense a lot this year (with only exception to NEB end of game series). We have enough moxy to compete and beat them.

I like your way of thinkin’

 

[GOUNUII]

Have lots of respect for coach Fits and the Cats.
With that being said, Boilers grind one out in Evanston 27 -23.

Good luck tomorrow night!

In our last 3 games, Iowa's offense scored 10 in regulation, MSU's scored17 and Nebraska's 17. The Huskers added a pick six to get to 24 in a losing cause. Is Purdue's offense that much better of a match up against NU's defense? Our one glaring weakness is in defending the deep passing game. All three of those teams hurt us deep ... Iowa once with a very good scheme, and Nebbie and Sparty a couple of times each with superior athletes at WR. And still, none of them put a lot of points on the board. Do the Boilers have the WRs to consistently beat NU down field in the passing game? Enough to score twice what Iowa, Nebby and Sparty averaged in the last 3?

Anything can happen from week to week in the BIG. Who would have thunk Iowa would hang 55 on OSU? Just saying that you have a better chance of beating us with your defense than if you need to score 24 or more.

BTW ... for those interested in such things. No 1 Tyler Lancaster is probably the largest/strongest DT you will play this year. At 6-4 and a lean 315 lbs. he will likely draw double teams all night. Freakishly strong kid with good feet. MLB Paddy Fisher is also someone to scheme for. A 6-4 245 lb. RS freshman that makes tackles ... lots of tackles ... from sideline to sideline. And S Godwin Igwebuike is a playmaker. Three reasons the strength of the NU defense is up the middle.

GOUNUII

 

[FirstDownB]

In our last 3 games, Iowa's offense scored 10 in regulation, MSU's scored17 and Nebraska's 17. The Huskers added a pick six to get to 24 in a losing cause. Is Purdue's offense that much better of a match up against NU's defense? Our one glaring weakness is in defending the deep passing game. All three of those teams hurt us deep ... Iowa once with a very good scheme, and Nebbie and Sparty a couple of times each with superior athletes at WR. And still, none of them put a lot of points on the board. Do the Boilers have the WRs to consistently beat NU down field in the passing game? Enough to score twice what Iowa, Nebby and Sparty averaged in the last 3?

Anything can happen from week to week in the BIG. Who would have thunk Iowa would hang 55 on OSU? Just saying that you have a better chance of beating us with your defense than if you need to score 24 or more.

BTW ... for those interested in such things. No 1 Tyler Lancaster is probably the largest/strongest DT you will play this year. At 6-4 and a lean 315 lbs. he will likely draw double teams all night. Freakishly strong kid with good feet. MLB Paddy Fisher is also someone to scheme for. A 6-4 245 lb. RS freshman that makes tackles ... lots of tackles ... from sideline to sideline. And S Godwin Igwebuike is a playmaker. Three reasons the strength of the NU defense is up the middle.

GOUNUII

Been reading a lot about Fisher. Dude sounds like a stud. Looking forward to seeing him and Richie Worship and their combined 500+ pounds have a few meetings on the field. People in the surrounding neighborhoods are going to think there is thunder in the area. Note: watch our #4. He's not to shabby and getting people to the ground either.
I agree the defenses are going to the story in this game.

 

[MilwaukeeBoilerFan]

We're a better team when Thorson makes some first downs with his feet. The opportunities have been there most of the year. He hasn't always taken them.

Jackson and Larken are both good receivers out of the backfield. In cold weather and against a stout run defense, Boiler fans may want to keep an eye on that possibility. I also expect you'll see the Boilers try to go wide in the running game. Our up the middle run defense is very good. Not so good against jet sweeps and the like.

First team to 20 or more wins in regulation? I'm thinking Purdue controls the game for the most part, but stalls in the red zone and Cats kick a FG with seconds to go to win 17-16.

GOUNUII

As many Purdue Fans are thinking, just don't go into O.T. with NW. Good luck for a good game, injury free hopefully for both teams. Go Purdue!

 

[PaBoiler78]

As many Purdue Fans are thinking, just don't go into O.T. with NW. Good luck for a good game, injury free hopefully for both teams. Go Purdue!

looks like the frozen tundra u[ there currently.

 

[Wolegib]

I want this game!!!! I want to go into the IU game with at least 5 wins, and the n beat IU for a bowl game! We can beat northwestern if we don't beat ourselves. Just catch the dam ball!

 

[RDUBoiler]

Cold weather and defenses dictate. It'll be low scoring. 17-13 Purdue.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

I want this game!!!! I want to go into the IU game with at least 5 wins, and the n beat IU for a bowl game! We can beat northwestern if we don't beat ourselves. Just catch the dam ball!

It'll be difficult but the things that Purdue does well line up with what NU does well (Purdue rush defense vs. NU's running game) (Purdue's rushing attack vs. NU's rush defense). It could end up being another low scoring game and this season that has tended to go toward the way of the opponent. A lot will hang on the first quarter and how Purdue plays in that regard. If Purdue can get a score on their first possession, hold NU, and score again and make NU play from behind...Purdue has a shot. If Purdue can hold on defense and move the ball on offense and control clock, Purdue can very well win this game...Purdue has got to maintain control of the clock and have extended drives pounding the ball with the litany of RB's they will have at their disposal toady (Worship, Knox, Jones, Fuller).

My biggest key: Brohm being patient with an offense that may take 5-7 minute drives to score a TD and take well calculated risks. He has notably said he tends to get a bit over aggressive and I believe that to be a bit of impatience to simply let the running game take hold and wear the opponent down.