1. Offensive line: Not bad, not great. That's saying something though, as they were awful last year. At least this bunch showed some push, and protected decently. We also need to remember that for the most part, it's brand new players almost everywhere. LT, LG, and RG are brand new, and the C is a new position for Scruggs. Only holdover is RT, so it's my hope that as the year goes on the line gels. I'll say this, they look more physical then last year, and more athletic. To me, the line seemed to be talented but green.
2. WRs: Need to stop the dropsies, but overall it's a talented bunch. Tinsley was a great pickup.
3. TEs: Good job, no Gesikis in the bunch but they look very, very solid.
4. RBs: Light years ahead of last year. Lee looks strong, and the two freshman have tremendous upside. However, I'd love to see only 2 of them emerge and get the bulk of playing time. Although I really like Lee, those freshman would be a tremendous 1-2 punch. A starter, and a backup.
5. Clifford: Good for the most part, except for that horrific overthrow. Some good came of that though, because we saw him get over it, keep his head in the game, and lead the team to 7 when we needed it most.
6. Playcalling: Meh, it still seems like we want to be a run first squad when we really are built to be pass first. Let the pass SET UP the run, not the other way around. However, I'll at least say that after today I do see the potential for the running game to make progress... unlike last year which seemed like banging your head against the wall just for fun.
7. DL: Underwhelming, though seemed to turn it on a bit in the 4th. Need to generate more pressure without blitzing, something missing for a couple years. Run defense was okay, it seemed like Purdue picked their spots and used the pass to set up some good runs. However, for the most part they didn't have a lot of run yards.
8. LBs: I didn't think they played all that great. IMO Purdue was able to take advantage of them in the short passing game. Lots of slants that good LBs would undercut and contest, or at least make it more difficult. Not bad in the run game, though it's Purdue soe that's not saying much.
9. DBs: This may be something most disagree with, but I thought they played well considering. Yes, O'Connell had a lot of yards passing... but he's a 72% passer that we held to 51% passing. Only 1 TD, and a lot of good contested throws that Purdue receivers did a nice job catching regardless. There were some blown coverages, but I believe that gets cleaned up as the season goes on too. Purdue is a pass happy offense that gives most teams fits, and even with a lack of pressure our secondary held up okay. Manny Diaz brings a lot of exotic schemes, so I think some communication issues are to be expected early on.
I'll tell you what, I think this is a win that will look a lot better as the year goes on. They very well could be 7-1 going into their bye week, and I'd bet on them being at least 5-3 with losses on the road to Minnesota & Wisky. They are a pretty good team. That said, we should absolutely be 5-0 heading into October, though Auburn will be a tough one. I believe Purdue is a better team than Auburn, however Auburn's home atmosphere is much more intimidating that West Lafayette. Also, there's the revenge factor. Glad we didn't play Auburn 1st, it's nice to get a tought win in before heading down there.
I’d like to see Ford get more passes out of the backfield. He’s a hoss when he get going and he’s got good hands. I’d also like to see singleton get 65% of the touches running the ball.
I agree with most of that and actually thought the DB’s deserve a game score of A+. I watched the 2nd half of the game again this morning and their play in the 4th quarter was the reason we even had a chance for that drive at the end. Linebackers have been advertised as the weakest unit with the least amount of depth on the team so their play was no surprise to me. I expect opposing teams to attack the middle like Purdue did until Diaz finds a way to deter them. D’line didn’t live up to the hype. Was Adisa Isaac’s name even called ? O’line is still bad and better improve a lot before going against the best D’line in the SEC on the 17th or Cliff is going to get hurt. Clifford is Clifford and will always be inconsistent but that one pass that Allar made that was dropped was impressive!!
I just don’t see the d line being impressive, the blackers are questionable on speed, the d backs are inconsistent, and porter is a potential game loser costing us a game or so with his overhyped play; same as last year with interference calls.
The O’Line does not have a knock the snot out of you man on the line. The backs looked good, Clifford as they say wasn’t good enough to move on and there is no upside to his play.
iMO we know who this team is by game 6. Could be the cardiac kids or the flat liners. First game impression, need to settle on a feature back, incorporate TE in to pass scheme, get a second QB ready to take over at any time. D better get a line that can level the boom on O’lines or it is gonna be s long as season
I'll keep in short. I agree on all points. I am actually more concerned with the D-Line than the O-Line right now....
Not bad, not great. Room for improvement before facing off against Auburn. It was a slugfest against a #35 ranked team who threw the ball allover the place. Racked up some nice yardage doing so. Also Purdue racked up 100 yds in penalties. I liked how back QB presented himself. Clifford status for remaining season opens major questions? Is he going to get hurt again. Is he conditioned.
Not bad, not great. Room for improvement before facing off against Auburn. It was a slugfest against a #35 ranked team who threw the ball allover the place. Racked up some nice yardage doing so. Also Purdue racked up 100 yds in penalties. I liked how back QB presented himself. Clifford status for remaining season opens major questions? Is he going to get hurt again. Is he conditioned.
I really don’t understand the criticism of the dbacks, they were the most consistent unit on the defense and a major factor in why we won.
Purdue is really good on offense and their QB gets rid of the ball fast so imo it’s hard to judge the DL on this game. They played ok but I do believe we need to get better at DE but again Purdues QB doesn’t sit in the pocket long so it’s hard to get to him. We won baby that’s all that matters. We’ll get better this team has a few new players.
Key with the DBs is watching how receivers create separation and then DB having to hold, interfer or get smoked. Sure it happens but look for patterns, devil is in the details.
Agree with most assessments already given. Encouraged by the QB sneak under center for the TD and really like our punter. Gutting out a come from behind win should do the team more good down the line than the blowout win I was hoping for.
