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Year 5 for the Jeff Brohm Era at Purdue, and it’s time to win.
But there are concerns about the Boilermakers as they enter the 2021 season, some of which could hamper their ability to take a big step forward, especially if the issues aren’t managed well right now.
Let’s take a look at 5 big concerns.
Depth (or lack of it)
It’s Year 5 in the Brohm Era, yet the Boilermakers still have positions — too many of them — where depth is a legitimate concern. The problem is most acute on the offensive line, at running back, the linebackers and at cornerback.
And the first week of training camp hasn’t helped remedy the situation; if anything, it’s gotten worse, as injuries have taken players off the field.
At linebacker, for instance, super senior Semisi Fakasiieiki suffered a potentially serious injury on Monday, knocking Purdue’s projected starting middle linebacker to the sideline. Offensive line has been sapped by injuries since the spring, with 4 players — all of whom were projected as backups, yet did have previous starting experience — out. Three of those have taken medical hardships and won’t return; the fourth, former starting center Sam Garvin, has a back injury that might cost him the season. Purdue is down to only 6 linemen, perhaps 7, it feels comfortable with.
Only 2 running backs — Zander Horvath and King Doerue — have had carries in a game, so the Boilermakers will ride primarily with the duo. And although Purdue has two cornerbacks with starting experience, and potentially a solid one in Cory Trice, the depth afterward is unproven, to say the least.
The QB
Yes, Purdue has 2 quarterbacks it feels it can win with in returning veterans Aidan O’Connell and Jack Plummer. But what the Boilermakers really need is one of them not only to win the job, but to grab hold of it, stay healthy, not let it go and win games.
Until then, the quarterback position at Purdue will remain a question mark. By now, we know the strengths: O’Connell has a stronger arm, particularly on deep throws, and might be a tick more accurate, but he’s a pocket passer who is limited by his lack of athleticism. Plummer can complete all the necessary passes, although not with the same zip, but is a more elusive runner.
Don’t count out former UCLA transfer Austin Burton, not as a starter, but a change-of-pace reliever. If Purdue wants to give the running game a boost, or needs a short-yardage first down, then perhaps the mobile Burton could get a call.
Staying aggressive
As part of its overhaul of the defense — it’s a whole new staff, led by play-caller Brad Lambert, one of 3 co-defensive coordinators — Brohm has vowed that the unit will play more aggressively.
It needs to.
Purdue totaled only 5 sacks in 6 games last season, as its defense got progressively worse as the weeks went by. Coordinator Bob Diaco was fired after only a year, then the rest of the staff turned over. Early in camp, the results of the change are apparent, with Purdue looking more attack-oriented than previously. But is that only a mirage, given that the Boilermakers hadn’t yet been in full pads?
Brohm must not only talk about the playing style, but walk it too. The concern is whether the Boilermakers, outside of star defensive end George Karlaftis, have the horses to get after the quarterback. Purdue has unproven defensive tackles, is still looking for its starting Leo (the hybrid end/linebacker), and needs to develop a play-making linebacker.
The schedule
With non-conference games against Oregon State and Notre Dame, then Big Ten cross-overs vs. Michigan State, Ohio State and Indiana, the latter two ranked in the top 25, the Boilermakers have a challenging slate in 2021.
Phil Steele ranks the 12-game schedule as the 5th-most difficult in the FBS — and most challenging in the Big Ten — and so a Purdue team that is riding a 4-game losing streak won’t get many breaks.
For a Boilermakers squad that needs 6 victories this season, in the 5th year of the Jeff Brohm Era, it might need to score an upset or two.
Game 1 is critical.
Gotta run
Purdue must be able to run the football.
Not a lot, but some, at least enough to provide some balance to the pass-happy offense.
The Boilermakers were last in the Big Ten in rushing last season, averaging only 81.5 yards per game on only 3.3 yards per carry. It was 50 yards less per game than Michigan, which was only 11th in the league. Seven conference teams averaged more than double the Boilermakers’ average.
Horvath is a solid, although perhaps not dynamic, workhorse, with strength between the tackles. Doerue was banged up much of last season and has more potential than he showed.
But there’s no experience after the first two. None. Maybe Dylan Downing, a transfer from UNLV, can give the Boilermakers a viable option as a No. 3 back. He might have to. Brohm’s efforts to bring in another transfer at the position proved fruitless.
So Purdue will ride with the trio — and primary only Horvath and Doerue — hoping they can find more productivity than a season ago.
Kyle Charters, a familiar face at Gold & Black, covers Purdue, Indiana and college basketball for Saturday Tradition.