Greetings all (and everyone else) ...
Purdue hosts Penn State today, hoping the Nittany Lions are in for a letdown following their upset of Ohio State last week. That, and Purdue thinks it could build on its performance a week ago, when it competed at Nebraska before falling late.
But there are at least a couple areas that the Boilermakers have a personnel deficit, like its offensive line vs. PSU's pass rush. Will be interesting to see if Cameron Cermin gives it a go today. I'd imagine so, considering he's a tough guy who has played through shoulders and ankles over the years. Probably was just too much last week. If the Boilermakers can't run, and they've not been able to over the last couple weeks, then the Lions' front can just get after David Blough, and that wouldn't be a positive.
On the other side, Purdue has to find a way to slow down Saquon Barkley — and Trace McSorley, too — in that zone-read. It's not been a scheme that's kind to the Boilermakers, particularly the QB running part (although the RB part, too). Last week, Purdue did a better job of stopping runs between the tackles, think Terrell Newby had only a couple successful attempts, but got ripped on the outside. And much of that is due to the cornerbacks' inability to release from blocks. It was bad last week; they've got to realize how imperative it is to the offense, because it doesn't always look like they're doing enough to get off receivers. Frustrated, to say the least.
As you likely know by now, Jake Replogle appears out for the third consecutive week. Rookie defensive tackle Lorenzo Neal - maybe Beth Mowins will get that right this week - will start in his place.
Have said it before this week, but I think Purdue will come out strongly again today, like last week, and will give PSU a fight. But eventually, talent and personnel usually wins out, and the Nittany Lions have more. Could special teams play a part today? Maybe so; it did for PSU last week.
Purdue hosts Penn State today, hoping the Nittany Lions are in for a letdown following their upset of Ohio State last week. That, and Purdue thinks it could build on its performance a week ago, when it competed at Nebraska before falling late.
But there are at least a couple areas that the Boilermakers have a personnel deficit, like its offensive line vs. PSU's pass rush. Will be interesting to see if Cameron Cermin gives it a go today. I'd imagine so, considering he's a tough guy who has played through shoulders and ankles over the years. Probably was just too much last week. If the Boilermakers can't run, and they've not been able to over the last couple weeks, then the Lions' front can just get after David Blough, and that wouldn't be a positive.
On the other side, Purdue has to find a way to slow down Saquon Barkley — and Trace McSorley, too — in that zone-read. It's not been a scheme that's kind to the Boilermakers, particularly the QB running part (although the RB part, too). Last week, Purdue did a better job of stopping runs between the tackles, think Terrell Newby had only a couple successful attempts, but got ripped on the outside. And much of that is due to the cornerbacks' inability to release from blocks. It was bad last week; they've got to realize how imperative it is to the offense, because it doesn't always look like they're doing enough to get off receivers. Frustrated, to say the least.
As you likely know by now, Jake Replogle appears out for the third consecutive week. Rookie defensive tackle Lorenzo Neal - maybe Beth Mowins will get that right this week - will start in his place.
Have said it before this week, but I think Purdue will come out strongly again today, like last week, and will give PSU a fight. But eventually, talent and personnel usually wins out, and the Nittany Lions have more. Could special teams play a part today? Maybe so; it did for PSU last week.
