Minnesota is the true measuring stick

[since1980]

Game 6 of the season. Minnesota is very average this year. Coaches have seen what Blough's strengths are and have figured out Markell is our best offensive threat. No excuses this week.

Minnesota needs to be the game we get over the hump and learn how to win and build some confidence within the team.

 

[lbodel]

Game 6 of the season. Minnesota is very average this year. Coaches have seen what Blough's strengths are and have figured out Markell is our best offensive threat. No excuses this week.

Minnesota needs to be the game we get over the hump and learn how to win and build some confidence within the team.

The fact of the matter is one game doesn't represent anything. Any team can have a good game. Being consistent is what matters. If we beat Minnesota and then completely lay an egg against Wisconsin, quite frankly, the Minnesota win won't mean much.

I agree that the Minnesota game is a big game - Minnesota and Illinois are the most winnable games remaining. This is a game we probably should win, with the deciding factor being we're at home.

 

[Summy1]

I think we have a real chance at beating Minnesota. If we lose this game we might as well just stay home the rest of the season.
Hopefully we win and the guys gain some confidence and carry it over to the Wisc. game.

 

[BoilerStutz]

The last time we looked, we were actually favored to win. That is highly unusual.

Keep telling yourself the next game is the game that really decides things. It is a fool's errand. There will always be that next game. That is the approach that Burke wants you to take so this circus can continue to go round and round.

Purdue football has grossly underperformed since Tiller left. There are no excuses for the AD and Hope and Hazell.

 

[70boiler]

I thought Boilers opened at 1.5 underdogs and quickly moved to 3 point dogs. Guess I will look again.

 

[Gerard_Francisco]

Vegas likes the backup mobile QB's chances against our defense that has its best results versus NFL type offenses.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

If we want a year that shows progress in the program, we need a win this weekend. I don't see how you get to 4 wins without it.

If we want the coach to get fired, a loss is another step in that direction.

It's pretty black and white.

 

[Statey]

I believe Purdue is a better team than Minnesota, especially a Minnesota team without their starting QB. A loss by Purdue would tell me a lot more about Purdue than a win would. Notwithstanding the current 1-4 record, this is a game that should be a W.

There was arguably a bump in team moral when the staff made the decision to move to Blough. And at least from an "eye test" perspective, he looks like a clear upgrade. But whatever confidence/faith/moral the players have left in themselves would have to suffer a big blow to not beat a weaker Minny team.

 

[indyogb]

I believe Purdue is a better team than Minnesota, especially a Minnesota team without their starting QB. A loss by Purdue would tell me a lot more about Purdue than a win would. Notwithstanding the current 1-4 record, this is a game that should be a W.

There was arguably a bump in team moral when the staff made the decision to move to Blough. And at least from an "eye test" perspective, he looks like a clear upgrade. But whatever confidence/faith/moral the players have left in themselves would have to suffer a big blow to not beat a weaker Minny team.

All of that is true. However, we said this - "There was arguably a bump in team moral when the staff made the decision to move to Blough. And at least from an "eye test" perspective, he looks like a clear upgrade." last year after the switch to Appleby.

We keep waiting for this team to "turn the corner", and the Minnesota game is the next best obvious opportunity to do so.

 

[Statey]

All of that is true. However, we said this - "There was arguably a bump in team moral when the staff made the decision to move to Blough. And at least from an "eye test" perspective, he looks like a clear upgrade." last year after the switch to Appleby.

We keep waiting for this team to "turn the corner", and the Minnesota game is the next best obvious opportunity to do so.

Agree that it was said last year too. Whether it turns out to be true or not with Blough certainly remains to be seen, but I brought it up from the standpoint of how long can that "bump" last. The players need a reason to believe in themselves and each other. Hanging with MSU should be a confidence booster. And beating Minnesota would capitalize on it and help build a little momentum. Lose, and I think any bump from the QB switch is completely lost and feeling like MSU game was a fluke. You'd basically be at ground zero for morale half-way through the season, and I'm not sure they could overcome that.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

Agree that it was said last year too. Whether it turns out to be true or not with Blough certainly remains to be seen, but I brought it up from the standpoint of low long can that "bump" last. The players need a reason to believe in themselves and each other. Hanging with MSU should be a confidence booster. And beating Minnesota would capitalize on it and help build a little momentum. Lose, and I think any bump from the QB switch is completely lost and feeling like MSU game was a fluke. You'd basically be at ground zero for morale half-way through the season, and I'm not sure they could overcome that.

I think you're spot on here. This game really is huge from a season perspective.

 

[lbodel]

I believe Purdue is a better team than Minnesota, especially a Minnesota team without their starting QB. A loss by Purdue would tell me a lot more about Purdue than a win would. Notwithstanding the current 1-4 record, this is a game that should be a W.

There was arguably a bump in team moral when the staff made the decision to move to Blough. And at least from an "eye test" perspective, he looks like a clear upgrade. But whatever confidence/faith/moral the players have left in themselves would have to suffer a big blow to not beat a weaker Minny team.

Minnesota's offense has been pretty poor this season. Their QB was nothing amazing, but he did keep mistakes fairly low. So playing with a new QB in an already struggling offense - it should be music to Purdue's ears.

 

[Summy1]

If we want a year that shows progress in the program, we need a win this weekend. I don't see how you get to 4 wins without it.

If we want the coach to get fired, a loss is another step in that direction.

It's pretty black and white.

I think the only way Hazell is thought about being fired is if we don't win another game this season. Even at that I am not sure if Burke would pull the trigger?

And yes, the more I look at our schedule the more this win against Minn. is very important. This may be the best chance for us to win the rest of the way.

 

[boilermaker75]

I think the only way Hazell is thought about being fired is if we don't win another game this season. Even at that I am not sure if Burke would pull the trigger?

And yes, the more I look at our schedule the more this win against Minn. is very important. This may be the best chance for us to win the rest of the way.

We need to win to start developing a winning attitude. It'll take more than just beating Minnesota to do it; but if we don't start this weekend I don't think it will ever happen with this staff. The way the MSU game ended was because we were not comfortable taking the game away from them and they were comfortable stopping us when they had to.

 

[Summy1]

We need to win to start developing a winning attitude. It'll take more than just beating Minnesota to do it; but if we don't start this weekend I don't think it will ever happen with this staff. The way the MSU game ended was because we were not comfortable taking the game away from them and they were comfortable stopping us when they had to.

I don't want to even thinking about us losing this weekend and what it would mean.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

I don't want to even thinking about us losing this weekend and what it would mean.

Yeah. I've been lambasted on here for being overly positive but I won't be if we lose to MN and IL.

 

[New Pal Boiler]

Agree that it was said last year too. Whether it turns out to be true or not with Blough certainly remains to be seen, but I brought it up from the standpoint of how long can that "bump" last. The players need a reason to believe in themselves and each other. Hanging with MSU should be a confidence booster. And beating Minnesota would capitalize on it and help build a little momentum. Lose, and I think any bump from the QB switch is completely lost and feeling like MSU game was a fluke. You'd basically be at ground zero for morale half-way through the season, and I'm not sure they could overcome that.

Not to mention what another disappointing home loss would do to fan morale and attendance. I am planning on going Saturday and it would be great to see a win, against a B1G team.

Speaking of which, what are we thinking attendance will be Saturday, with the students gone and with a mediocre minnesota team coming to town?

 

[uelnesm]

In the grand scheme of things. It would be best if we start on upswing now vs firing the coach and starting over. We are three years into the re-boot, so I would rather see us gain traction than to determine the last 3 years have been wasted and then Have to start over again.

The remainder of the season will tell the tale. If players keep getting arrested, we fail to show progress on the field (2nd Hal last week was "progress"), then coach is in trouble. If we win a game or 2 and we are on the upswing going into the off season he stays. I think he will get benefit of the doubt from Burke and the Purdue leadership.

So. .... Does this game mean a lot. Absolutely. At this point, let's just aspire to make a bowl game. From there, we can elevate expectations. Remember, half the darn teams in football make bowl games...let's just figure out how to be one of those 70+

 

[indyogb]

Yeah. I've been lambasted on here for being overly positive but I won't be if we lose to MN and IL.

If we manage to beat Minnesota and Illinois, I would have to admit that's an improvement. Of course even that would mean, to quote Tanner Boyle, "We went from 'suck' to 'stink'." ...and I'd take it at this point .

 

[AZboiler]

In the grand scheme of things. It would be best if we start on upswing now vs firing the coach and starting over. We are three years into the re-boot, so I would rather see us gain traction than to determine the last 3 years have been wasted and then Have to start over again.

The remainder of the season will tell the tale. If players keep getting arrested, we fail to show progress on the field (2nd Hal last week was "progress"), then coach is in trouble. If we win a game or 2 and we are on the upswing going into the off season he stays. I think he will get benefit of the doubt from Burke and the Purdue leadership.

So. .... Does this game mean a lot. Absolutely. At this point, let's just aspire to make a bowl game. From there, we can elevate expectations. Remember, half the darn teams in football make bowl games...let's just figure out how to be one of those 70+

I cannot believe We're discussing whether a 19% winning percent (if we win 2 more games) is an improvement over the 17% winning % of the last 2 years... I hope Purdue wins all the remaining games on schedule. To say the minimum, the current trend is not in our favor.

 

[AJ Hidell]

Why do you people think that Minnesota's starting QB isn't going to play? The freshman might see time, but Leidner will play the majority of the game.

 

[SDBoiler1]

Why do you people think that Minnesota's starting QB isn't going to play? The freshman might see time, but Leidner will play the majority of the game.

Minnesota has 8 starters out this week, including Boddy-Calhoun and their safety. Something like 4 OL are injured and Leidner is hurt, but will play. The Gophers are ripe for the pickings. Just have this nagging feeling that Shoop and Hazell will find a way to lose this game in a most painful fashion.

 

[PalmCoastFl]

Minnesota has 8 starters out this week, including Boddy-Calhoun and their safety. Something like 4 OL are injured and Leidner is hurt, but will play. The Gophers are ripe for the pickings. Just have this nagging feeling that Shoop and Hazell will find a way to lose this game in a most painful fashion.

And we are still a 3pt dog at home................

 

[threeeputtt]

And we are still a 3pt dog at home................

Favorites? Yes, the line partially reflects a favorite but, more so reflects the $$$ flow balance.

 

[PalmCoastFl]

Vegas now has us a 3h pt dog...........................WOW!

 

[D A Y]

Opened at 2.5. Looks like 3.5 or dogs now. Easy money (I hope).

 

[cantonman2]

Regards of the talent, as long as the play calling philosophy remains the same - don't run what is working and keep running what doesn't work - there will be very few if any more victories this year! So a Minnesota win is almost assured!