2021 First Glance Preview: Week Thirteen (Purdue Boilermakers)
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Written by: TJ Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
Week 12: Purdue Boilermakers
Date & Time: November 27, time is TBD
Venue: Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN
TV: TBD
Boilermakers at a Glance
Head Coach: Jeff Brohm
Entering his fifth season as Purdue head coach
Record at Purdue: 19-25 (14-19 in the Big Ten)
Overall Record: 49-35
Last Season: 2-4 (2-4)
Boilermakers Returning Leaders
Passing: Jack Plummer – 88 of 124 for 938 yards with 8 touchdowns and 2 interceptions
Rushing: Zander Horvath – 89 rushes for 442 yards with 2 touchdowns
Receiving: David Bell – 53 catches for 625 yards with 8 touchdowns
Tackles: Jaylan Alexander – 49 tackles
Boilermakers Preseason Predictions
Athlon:
Pick Six Previews:
Phil Steele:
S&P+:
Impact Newcomers for the Boilermakers
Sampson James – running back from Indiana University
Broc Thompson – wide receiver from Marshall
OC Brothers – linebacker from Auburn
Biggest Questions Facing Boilermakers
1. Can More Changes on Defense Finally Bring Success?
The Boilers allowed only 20.5 points per game in 2017 but the unit has gone steadily downhill in the seasons since. They have changed coordinators, gotten new personnel, changed schemes and nothing has solved the problem as the points per game average has ballooned above 30. Purdue is trying a new approach this season, they have three co-coordinators: Brad Lambert, Ron English and Mark Hagen are joining forces to direct the defense. If that was not enough cooks in the kitchen, Jeff Brohm has vowed to get more involved on that side of the ball. Purdue has a star in George Karlaftis but they need others to step up and the new scheme to sink in quickly.
2. Who Emerges at Quarterback and Can They Stay Healthy?
The one thing everyone was extremely confident of when Jeff Brohm was hired at Purdue was that the Boilers would have a dynamic passing attack. While they have had excellent wideouts and some terrific offensive performances individually, they have failed to really develop a standout passer. They’ve also struggled to keep the quarterback healthy. Jack Plummer and Aiden O’Connell are both back and Purdue is hoping one of them steps up to take the reins. UCLA transfer Austin Burton is probably next in line if they can’t get the job done or get hurt. Plummer is likely the most talented of the bunch and he’s expected to win the job and be QB1 when Purdue opens against Oregon State.
3. Is Jeff Brohm the Purdue Coach in 2022?
By the time the Hoosiers and Boilermakers face off in November, we should know the direction Purdue’s program is heading. Another poor season will leave fans and the administration scratching their heads and wondering whether or not Brohm is capable of earning his massive salary. A bounce back campaign could help solidify Brohm as a long-term coach in West Lafayette as the potential is there for success if the defensive and protection issues are ironed out.
Program Preview
After the uninspiring Danny Hope era led to the disastrous Darrell Hazell era, Purdue turned to a man that was nearly universally considered a grand slam hire: Jeff Brohm. The Boilers hired Brohm from Western Kentucky where he had led the Hilltoppers to back-to-back double-digit win seasons. Purdue went 7-6 and won the Foster Farms Bowl in Brohm’s first season and went 6-7 with a loss in the Music City Bowl in year number two. They had a superstar in Rondale Moore and things were looking up in West Lafayette. However, the wheels fell off in 2019 as Purdue fell to 4-8 and 2-4 in 2020. Tom Allen and the Indiana Hoosiers have passed their rivals and pressure is on Brohm to figure things out. With a couple of star players in George Karlaftis and David Bell, the time is now for the Boilermakers to prove which direction the program is actually heading.
Offensive Preview
Any discussion of offense has to start with the quarterback. Jack Plummer is the favorite to land the starting job and he is entering his fourth year in the program with nine starts under his belt. Aidan O’Connell, also a veteran and a former walk-on, is a very accurate passer but he is limited athletically and behind a potentially bad offensive line, that is a concern. Plummer is more athletic but he has not been all that accurate in the past. The best part of this offense is undoubtedly the wide receiver room and that should benefit whoever is throwing the ball. David Bell is an NFL receiver that is a real problem for opposing secondaries. Milton Wright will be the other outside wideout and he is expected to be more of a factor. Jackson Anthrop and TJ Sheffield should see plenty of snaps and keep an eye on Marshall transfer Broc Thompson along with speedster Marcellus Moore. This group is a major reason for optimism. Payne Durham is a good tight end and another weapon for the attack. The running game has to improve as they were in the bottom third nationally each of the past two seasons. Zander Horvath and Sampson James are expected to be the main ball carriers. Horvath’s size is notable but the running backs really aren’t the problem. The big concern for Purdue’s offense is the offensive line. If they cannot get better, the Boilers must replace Grant Hermanns, a guy that started 33 games at left tackle. The Boilermakers must figure out this unit and it’s the biggest issue on the offensive side of the ball.
Defensive Preview
For more on the curious state of the Purdue defensive leadership, see above. Three co-coordinators plus a more involved head coach sounds like a recipe for something different. Whether it is something positive or not is to be determined. George Karlaftis is the anchor of the defense and he’s one of the best linemen in the country. They need others to help him though because Karlaftis is going to be double-teamed nearly every down. DaMarcus Mitchell will start at the other edge and Jack Sullivan will rotate in. Lorenzo Neal is gone from the interior but they got a boost as Anthony Watts returned. Branson Deen and IU transfer Damarjhe Lewis will try to partner with him. Linebacker Derrick Barnes chose to go to the NFL, a big loss for the Boilers. Jaylan Alexander is the best returning guy and they are hoping players like Semisi Fakasiieiki, Kieren Douglas and Jalen Graham can improve but this is an area of concern. Cory Trice is the best player in the secondary and at 6’3”, he’s a unique option to matchup with big targets. Three other part-time starters are back and they should be at least slightly improved in 2021.
Special Teams Preview
Kicking game woes hurt Purdue badly in 2020 so they looked to the portal and took in Mitchell Fineran from Samford. He made 32 of 43 attempts in his time at the FCS school. They also signed an Australian punter and are looking for improvements in return coverage. The Boilers can’t be much worse than they were last season so with any luck, it should be an improvement.