let's throw some factors out there. I'm not saying I expect Purdue to win 6 games. I see 6 games that are winnable. I think most of us will agree Brohm was one of the better coaches available and better than Hazell. brohm has recruited bunch of grad transfers and jucos who should be immediate contributors rather than redshirting. is Jones healthy? We added both experience and talent to our defensive backfield, and linebacking should be improved. Our wide receiver core despite their youth should be one of our strengths. Our biggest glaring weakness is our offensive line. and we now have 4 incoming offensive linemen. We replaced our entire coaching staff.
We've done a lot to improve our team. I hate to blame Hazell for this year's results, because Brohm replaced a lot of Hazell's recruits, and a lot of Hazell's other players left. After a while it got old blaming Bush for everything that was bad in America. at some point in time, you have to take ownership and say this is my team. And I believe Brohm has done so. If the team fails, I believe Brohm will take ownership and responsibility for the loss. these are the players brohm wanted to fit his system. and his recruitment of grad transfers and jucos to me indicates he doesn't want to have another 4 year building process. he's looking for a quick turn around.
With that said, if all of brohm's recruits were all high school seniors, I would expect another long rebuilding process and a 1-11 season. but they're not. that's why I would be very disappointed if this team went only 1-11. to put forth as much effort as brohm has, and to produce the same results would be both disappointing and heartbreaking. and I've said it before, the only stat that has any meaning is the W. being a competitive loser is still a loser . it's the difference in being Michael Jordan and Karl Malone! When we talk about putting some excitement back in a game, that doesn't mean being ahead for 3 quarters and fading in the 4th. We mean winning ugly and pulling a close game out of the jaws of defeat to victory. The goal posts are not going to come down if we have a 21 point 3rd quarter lead and win by 10. They will come down if we beat IU on a last second play.
I've finished second in life a lot. Second place and being competitive is still a losing feeling. Winning ugly is tremendous. Green Bay against Dallas in the Ice Bowl 1964. Dallas won all the statistical comparisons, and played a tremendous game. But Green Bay won and the game became a legendary moment in NFL history. Go out and ask any Dallas fan if they were happy and proud of their team for being competitive but losing that game. And that's how I grew up. it doesn't matter what the score or stats are. losing is still losing, and winning is everything. Just ask a buffalo bills or Vikings fan how they feel about competitive losses. I'd bet they'd trade 20 losing seasons for just 1 Super bowl victory. Joe Namoth won one very ugly championship game. Fran Tarkington looked great in 4 losses.
My son is competing today in the MVC outdoor track championships. I think he'd trade all his personal bests for a win!
