I'm actually feeling pretty optimistic for this coming season

[BBG]

so yeah the bar from Walters is pretty low, but I just get this sense of optimism from the players that are getting signed to come play and the coaching staff's ability to resurrect a program.

Sure we don't have a ton of world beaters... yet... but that will change with winning and getting the foundation to get there seems to be taking shape.

Next season can't get here soon enough to see if it all pans out.......

 

[RDUBoiler]

Odom is at least competent, so it won't be painful to watch, but I agree that it sounds like there is an energy that hasn't been around the last two years. We're going to better than last year, obviously, but the question is by how much.

As we saw with Tiller and Brohm, the atmosphere can change quickly with the right coach.

 

[NashvilleBoiler]

I don’t see us winning a lot this year, but please just gimme some dogs. Some super-angry hitters that hate getting beat. There is no reason for a Purdue team to ever be soft.

 

[awthomps]

I’m normally a 6 win and I’m happy Purdue football fan going into the season. With this schedule I think it’s 2 we should win (BS, SIU), 2 toss ups (Illinois, Northwestern) and 8 losses. So optimistic expectation is 3 wins…oof that is just brutal - especially the meat grinder that is last month of the season. The upside being that IU sucks, so a surprise win at the end of the season is highly likely.

But coaching matters, and we all know that a single win over a team that defies expectations saves the season - looking up at you Tiller, and could (especially early on … ND would be great) push us toward that 6 win mark.

 

[SKYDOG]

so yeah the bar from Walters is pretty low, but I just get this sense of optimism from the players that are getting signed to come play and the coaching staff's ability to resurrect a program.

Sure we don't have a ton of world beaters... yet... but that will change with winning and getting the foundation to get there seems to be taking shape.

Next season can't get here soon enough to see if it all pans out.......

I will be pleasantly shocked if they are much better than last year. Just not a lot of talent on the roster.

 

[BBG]

I will be pleasantly shocked if they are much better than last year. Just not a lot of talent on the roster.

Yeah but that bar is so incredibly low, i think we can only go up really.

 

[SKYDOG]

Yeah but that bar is so incredibly low, i think we can only go up really.

I agree we can only go up, but probably not this year. I think the roster is considerably less talented than last year. It will be a big hurdle to overcome to be competitive this year.

 

[RDUBoiler]

I will be pleasantly shocked if they are much better than last year. Just not a lot of talent on the roster.

Talent is part of it. But Walters had some talented guys and did nothing with them.

Odom is going to have a better scheme on both sides of the ball.

 

[pboiler18]

Talent is part of it. But Walters had some talented guys and did nothing with them.

Odom is going to have a better scheme on both sides of the ball.

4-8 should be seen as a huge success with both the previous state of the program and NILs current standing.

 

[SKYDOG]

Talent is part of it. But Walters had some talented guys and did nothing with them.

Odom is going to have a better scheme on both sides of the ball.

Talent is huge. No Thieneman on the back end of the secondary. No established quarterback, receivers and the loss of Klare. Offensive line best players gone. Defensive line is a big question mark. No linebackers last year so this year probably better. Kicking game who knows.

Good luck coach Odom!

 

[Thordog]

The upcoming transfer portal will be interesting. With revenue sharing going into effect, can a team like Purdue get some high end players form G5 teams? The next couple weeks could be a circus.

 

[Jaycee79]

The upcoming transfer portal will be interesting. With revenue sharing going into effect, can a team like Purdue get some high end players form G5 teams? The next couple weeks could be a circus.

Need a hi end QB1

 

[FLAG HUNTER]

I would think one of the 3 QB’s brought in , would be able to do a good job at QB . Don’t know much about the QB’s, haven’t seen them play, but did coaches take a chance on each or felt like they capable of playing college football?

 

[awthomps]

I would think one of the 3 QB’s brought in , would be able to do a good job at QB . Don’t know much about the QB’s, haven’t seen them play, but did coaches take a chance on each or felt like they capable of playing college football?

Only one had any playing experience, and that was limited at Arkansas. So it isn’t surprising to hear from Tom D. that they’re still looking to the portal for someone more proven. Guessing that would require some guarantees of a starting spot, but hope the guys we have are ready to go S we are missing key ingredients (Oline, WR) to be competitive for the 3-4 guys who will become available that meet our needs for a proven B1G qb

 

[awthomps]

Odom is going to have A scheme on both sides of the ball.

Minor edit

 

[pboiler18]

Wouldn’t be surprised if we put a big open offer out to try and land a QB

 

[awthomps]

There’s only one portal qb rated higher than our Malachi Singleton, so unless there’s a bunch of post spring departures I expect that our qb room will stay the same heading into fall

 

[Lee3370]

Yeah but that bar is so incredibly low, i think we can only go up really.

We were 1-11 and our only win was against a non power 5 team.

What do you mean the bar was low? The bar would have to be raised several feet to just be low, lol

 

[Wolegib]

i would set the floor at 4 wins and the ceiling at 6 wins. we play rutgers, IU, Illinois, Minnesota and northwestern. I have to believe we should be able to win 2 of those games, and maybe 4. and we beat ball st and siu

 

[BBG]

We were 1-11 and our only win was against a non power 5 team.

What do you mean the bar was low? The bar would have to be raised several feet to just be low, lol

Lol fair point.

 

[awthomps]

i would set the floor at 4 wins and the ceiling at 6 wins. we play rutgers, IU, Illinois, Minnesota and northwestern. I have to believe we should be able to win 2 of those games, and maybe 4. and we beat ball st and siu

This is one of the more reasonable takes I’ve seen, but we’re going to need a few more key pieces from the portal before we can compete with several of the teams on your list. Set expectations low, this is a total rebuild of players, culture, and scheme with a tough schedule. Then when we exceed expectations it’s all good, and honestly I’d trade competitive losses to a few of your listed teams in exchange for 1 big splash upset to attract attention from players and recruit.

 

[Wolegib]

This is one of the more reasonable takes I’ve seen, but we’re going to need a few more key pieces from the portal before we can compete with several of the teams on your list. Set expectations low, this is a total rebuild of players, culture, and scheme with a tough schedule. Then when we exceed expectations it’s all good, and honestly I’d trade competitive losses to a few of your listed teams in exchange for 1 big splash upset to attract attention from players and recruit.

I believe a 6-6 record and bowl game would do more to attract players than one big major upset. If Purdue has an upset and then lays an egg the following week people would just think it’s the same old Purdue. A 6-6 record would send the message we have righted the ship and are headed in the right direction.

 

[pboiler18]

I believe a 6-6 record and bowl game would do more to attract players than one big major upset. If Purdue has an upset and then lays an egg the following week people would just think it’s the same old Purdue. A 6-6 record would send the message we have righted the ship and are headed in the right direction.

These are all things we couldnt have dreamt about under Walters. 4-8 I’m happy. 6-6 I’m estatic. Any ranked wins are $ in the bank.

I started beating the Walters was incompetent drum after game 1 as it was blatantly obvious how woefully coached and schemed the team was.

Hoping we see a stark change immediately in 2025.

 

[Wolegib]

My thoughts are Walters is a much better recruiter. And that Odom is a much better head coach. Walters was too dependent on his assistant coaches to do his coaching for him

 

[pboiler18]

My thoughts are Walters is a much better recruiter. And that Odom is a much better head coach. Walters was too dependent on his assistant coaches to do his coaching for him

I can’t really think of a good/impact player that he recruited.

 

[msfboiler3]

I will be pleasantly shocked if they are much better than last year. Just not a lot of talent on the roster.

Less talent but competent coaching. 3 wins looks right to me. Hopefully, improvement from there.

 

[msfboiler3]

My thoughts are Walters is a much better recruiter. And that Odom is a much better head coach. Walters was too dependent on his assistant coaches to do his coaching for him

Walters was a hype man that got exposed.

 

[awthomps]

I believe a 6-6 record and bowl game would do more to attract players than one big major upset. If Purdue has an upset and then lays an egg the following week people would just think it’s the same old Purdue. A 6-6 record would send the message we have righted the ship and are headed in the right direction.

And you clearly have zero contact with young people, one upset win over Notre dame has 100x the impact of 6 wins over mediocre opponents. We have a brand, spoilermakers has always sold well to fans and recruits.

 

[awthomps]

My thoughts are Walters is a much better recruiter. And that Odom is a much better head coach. Walters was too dependent on his assistant coaches to do his coaching for him

Among many bad takes, this may be one of your worst

 

[Wolegib]

I can’t really think of a good/impact player that he recruited.

He recruited Theinaman(sp). Who was a freshman all American

 

[Wolegib]

Among many bad takes, this may be one of your worst

Sorry you don’t believe me! Just to educate yourself, take a look at Walter’s recruiting classes and see how they ranked and the caliber of players he recruited! I never said he was a great coach. I said he was a great recruiter.

And take a look at where the athletes he recruited went via the portal. They left for winning programs, not division 3 schools like Indiana coal and mining st,

But go ahead, bad mouth me without doing any research. Others here will cheer you on and give you a PBR!

 

[pboiler18]

He recruited Theinaman(sp). Who was a freshman all American

Might wanna check who Thineman committed to…

 

[awthomps]

But go ahead, bad mouth me without doing any research. Others here will cheer you on and give you a PBR!

Your entire argument is that Walters (who never reached Brohms recruiting class ranking heights) is a better recruiter than Odom based on what? A single, shortened off season as a new head coach. Relax, Francis!

 

[KentuckyBoiler]

Since we are still lacking talent, it will be a rebuilding year. However, if Odom can field a team that is competitive, this year will be a steppingstone for future years.

After 2 years of Walters incompetence, where he lost the locker-room and was over his heard for the job, Odom has a reputation of getting the most out of his players, so that is reason for optimism.

 

[POTFHBTFU]

so yeah the bar from Walters is pretty low, but I just get this sense of optimism from the players that are getting signed to come play and the coaching staff's ability to resurrect a program.

Sure we don't have a ton of world beaters... yet... but that will change with winning and getting the foundation to get there seems to be taking shape.

Next season can't get here soon enough to see if it all pans out.......

Same. I think our running game will be very good. Passing not so much but Odom has had a good offense focused on the run.

Our defense is no better on paper but I think they won’t beat themselves like in the past.

I still think we have only 2-4 wins but I think we can expect to get back to 6-8 wins in 2026-2027.

 

[POTFHBTFU]

I think this OLine is not as good on paper too but right now we have 3 solid starting OLinemen and great OL coaches can make mediocre players disciplined and schematically focused look really good. This OLine has the potential to perform better than any team we have had in 20 years despite the lack of elite talent.

 

[BBG]

Your entire argument is that Walters (who never reached Brohms recruiting class ranking heights) is a better recruiter than Odom based on what?

Woleblab bases all of his thoughts on whatever his sock puppets tell him.

 

[flight 33]

I’m normally a 6 win and I’m happy Purdue football fan going into the season. With this schedule I think it’s 2 we should win (BS, SIU), 2 toss ups (Illinois, Northwestern) and 8 losses. So optimistic expectation is 3 wins…oof that is just brutal - especially the meat grinder that is last month of the season. The upside being that IU sucks, so a surprise win at the end of the season is highly likely.

But coaching matters, and we all know that a single win over a team that defies expectations saves the season - looking up at you Tiller, and could (especially early on … ND would be great) push us toward that 6 win mark.

Illinois is a toss up.?

 

[RossMackey]

Illinois is a toss up.?

Wow- you’re so correct, Featherhead!

It’s crazy, crazy I tell ya for Purdue fans to consider the UI game a toss up; it’s not as if:

1) The worst Purdue team in decades went up and down the field on UI all game long— on your home turf to boot;

2) Purdue has been anything but dominant recently, but has been more than good enough to own UI in football for the better part of a decade…

Wait—- all this is actually TRUE

We understand how bad-ass you all feel after beating a mediocre South Carolina team in a lower- tier bowl, so you’ll have to forgive us for not quaking at the thought of friggin’ Illinois 😱🤣😱

 

[NVboiler]

Perhaps the better showing against Illinois is that just coming from there and being part of it, Walters knew their defense.