No, Purdue was not going to be winning the West, the Big Ten Championship, or the CFP this season.
But 3 years from now...?
Right now Purdue is in the middle of a rather remarkable rebuilding process. Think back to 2016, not even two years ago. How many people would've thought the opening game of this season was going to generate so much buzz? That through 14 games of the Jeff Brohm era we'd be sitting at .500, a bowl victory in hand, and in the process of reeling in one of the best recruiting classes in the modern era of Purdue Football?
This is the fun part. Whether we win or lose, almost every game points to progress and optimism. Final results of every game this season? For fans, it's all fun and games. It has to be. These are the games where we can look a rival in the face after a loss and confidently say "You're lucky. Just give it a few years."
Yes, losing sucks. This post is not about feeling good about losses. But watching a team, who 2 seasons ago would've let Thursday night's game get out of hand in front of a national audience, fight to the last whistle and compete on every down is special. These are some of the most fun times of being a fan. The process of watching your school go from a minimal threat to a dominant force is something that should not be overlooked.
Let's enjoy watching a team play without a target on their back, without the pressure of national expectations, and within the safe zone of a ridiculously optimistic future. Realistically this team will probably lose between 3 and 6 more games, but who cares? This is fun. Football is fun and has been since Brohm arrived. Three years from now, if or when Purdue loses a close early season game, we can freak out about the implications of a single loss. Under Brohm's guidance expectations will eventually hit, a national audience will take full notice, and every game will be make or break.
What we are currently witnessing is as fun, optimistic, and carefree a time in Purdue Football that we will see for years to come. Let's enjoy it.
But 3 years from now...?
Right now Purdue is in the middle of a rather remarkable rebuilding process. Think back to 2016, not even two years ago. How many people would've thought the opening game of this season was going to generate so much buzz? That through 14 games of the Jeff Brohm era we'd be sitting at .500, a bowl victory in hand, and in the process of reeling in one of the best recruiting classes in the modern era of Purdue Football?
This is the fun part. Whether we win or lose, almost every game points to progress and optimism. Final results of every game this season? For fans, it's all fun and games. It has to be. These are the games where we can look a rival in the face after a loss and confidently say "You're lucky. Just give it a few years."
Yes, losing sucks. This post is not about feeling good about losses. But watching a team, who 2 seasons ago would've let Thursday night's game get out of hand in front of a national audience, fight to the last whistle and compete on every down is special. These are some of the most fun times of being a fan. The process of watching your school go from a minimal threat to a dominant force is something that should not be overlooked.
Let's enjoy watching a team play without a target on their back, without the pressure of national expectations, and within the safe zone of a ridiculously optimistic future. Realistically this team will probably lose between 3 and 6 more games, but who cares? This is fun. Football is fun and has been since Brohm arrived. Three years from now, if or when Purdue loses a close early season game, we can freak out about the implications of a single loss. Under Brohm's guidance expectations will eventually hit, a national audience will take full notice, and every game will be make or break.
What we are currently witnessing is as fun, optimistic, and carefree a time in Purdue Football that we will see for years to come. Let's enjoy it.
