Staying the course
- Thread starter snowling
- Start date
The S&P+ accounts for SOS and opponent...we were 26th. They were good. No one said we’re Bama.
And that day may be sooner than you think. He talked with Tennessee and clearly had interest in the Vols' job last November, as confirmed in a May 7 story in the Courier- Journal, and there's little doubt other P5 schools will reach out to him as openings develop, assuming Purdue doesn't slide back this year. It's likely that Purdue is a stepping stone for him.
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One season doesn’t define a career. No doubt that Brohm is a good coach. You make the conclusion that Allen is not in this category because of the results of one year. I think both coaches will be defined by their recruiting moving forward. I think with different offensive personnel, our production could look much different.
At this point, a lot of conjecture.
I definitely think it’s possible but only think he’d leave for a handful of schools. I think he’d probably stay in the Midwest too. If he leaves, Purdue will be in a better spot than when he got here too.
Louisville is obviously a threat to attract Brohm because of his history at the University and in the City, and he might garner interest from some SEC schools at some point. But his extension at Purdue likely keeps him there for awhile.
That doesn't even include yards per play allowed which was top 20ish in the NCAA.
The offense, measured by S&P+, went from 19th in 2015, to 67th in 2016, to 98th in 2017. So as the defense got LESS help from the offense, it still got better. That's rather extraordinary. They could certainly improve, but people saying defense was the issue with IU when the offense has so clearly regressed is foolish.
"We lost 7 games because the offense blew". (your words)
You cannot be taken serious with this statement. Any reasonable and impartial fan can point to the Maryland and Purdue games (the winnable ones) and easily debunk this. Maryland scored their highest output in Big10 play against us with a 3rd or 4th string QB. And Purdue tied their season high (conf games) in scoring versus us in what was essentially a play-in game for a bowl berth. These are the games that without question cost us a bowl bid. Blaming the offense solely is nothing more than a futile effort on your part.
Allen's detachment from the offensive coaching staff led to offensive blunders? And who else other than you has ever made that ludicrous claim? Seriously, where do you come up with this horseshit?
The extension was for show only. The buyout of that contract is ridiculously low and Brohm purposely kept it that way for a reason.
I'm not saying he'll just ship at the first chance - he had that opportunity with Tennessee. But if the right situation comes along, HE GONE! And the contract extension won't mean squat.
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Well, the Interception we threw the first play of the PU game deep in PU territory didn't exactly help things any.
The Offense was non-existent in the PU game. Non. Existent. PU's Offense moved against our Defense - and their RB is a damn good one. He's just now rounding into shape after his injuries his Freshman year. Wish we would have recruited him. But if the Offense would have done anything, I think we win the game.
Against MSU and Michigan, the Defense played more than well enough for 3 1/2 quarters to win. But the Offense did, indeed, blow. I get the reasons. But it blew, nonetheless.
I'd say the Maryland game is really the only one where our Defense let us down. That's one game. Offense did nothing all year.
What you said initially (and either you took the post down or a mod did it for you, but it still appears as part of my earlier reply post) was "I think many of of us have pointed out the shortfalls of both the offensive coaching staff as well as Allen's detachment from it that led to the offensive blunders..." "It" in your sentence relates to "offensive coaching staff." If you meant to argue detachment from the offense itself, that's not what you said. And "his lack of acumen . . . very likely his ability to hire a quality staff" makes zero sense. Maybe an English composition class and/or persuasive writing course after your next banning and before the inevitable reincarnation would be of value.
In any event, your new argument is as ridiculous as the first.
Finally, please stop putting words in my mouth and making stuff up. It took Wilson five years to hire a quality defensive coordinator. Allen hired a successful P5 OC immediately.
He was ready to retire when Allen called him. He's from Indiana and has grandchildren here. He gets to live in Bloomington.
As you said, do not judge him on 1 season. Wilson left the cupboard bare on Offense. We have a talent deficit, whether anyone wants to admit it or not.
Michigan hired him twice. He did OK there. We'll be able to tell a lot more after this year how he's going to work out.
Did OK there = the only National Championship Bo ever bagged...
It appears to me (and while I wouldn't consider myself "an expert" I do follow staff guys moves around the country more than the "average" fan), that we have, at worst, at minimum, an "above average" Offensive Staff on hand just based on their accomplishments at prior stops... I hope/expect (based on those coaching bios) to see some major improvement on that side of the ball over the next five years...
Some people have an agenda and make it very obvious at times. As much as I hope for IU wins just for my own enjoyment and the elevation of the program, shutting those people up comes in a very close second..
I was being facetious. lol
Did OK there = the only National Championship Bo ever bagged...
It appears to me (and while I wouldn't consider myself "an expert" I do follow staff guys moves around the country more than the "average" fan), that we have, at worst, at minimum, an "above average" Offensive Staff on hand just based on their accomplishments at prior stops... I hope/expect (based on those coaching bios) to see some major improvement on that side of the ball over the next five years...
I agree with this, and my assumption assumes that most points are a result of defensive play. I think this is where the Purdue game, Michigan game, and Ohio state game from 17’ come to mind. Those differed substantially from the Georgie Southern game, Virginia game, and Rutgers game. The Maryland game is one in which your argument would hold true because the special teams was a mess. It simply appears as if In 17’ IU performed very well against lower level teams, and poorly against average-good teams. The variance between performance in the Rutgers game and Purdue games are good examples. I mention OSU not because of their talent, but because IU had various errors that were preventable in the second half that had nothing to do with talent. This is where I believe stats can lie. The D is 100% better than when I played, but that doesn’t mean it did as well in 17’ as the stats may suggest. If the D is inconsistent and varies from week to week, and makes mental errors, it’s possible to have a statistically decent defense, and not make a bowl, which is what happens in 17’. In theory, it’s more disirable to have a middle of the pack defense that performs almost the same each weak, than a higher ranked D that varies significantly from week to week (Rutgers/Purdue games).
What I’ll be watching for in 18’ is consistency. Can the young secondary perform the same each week and reduce mental errors? Can Ball/Crawford perform the same each week? With those two, it’s even varied from possession to possession in the past. A pick 1 possession, a mental error the next. I think that the key for this year is simply consistency, and these guys are capable of achieving that. In a best case scenario Crawford is in an NFL camp next year, so I think the potential to be consistent is there.
Each Big Ten team's divisional record since 2013
ByAUSTIN NIVISON May 15, 4:38 PM
How a team plays against its division foes can determine what kind of season it has — especially in the Big Ten. Winning most or all of the divisional games can result in an Big Ten Championship Game appearance. Play poorly against division rivals and it may mean missing a bowl game entirely. Here is how every Big Ten team has fared in divisional play since 2013.
SLIDE1 of 14
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS
Jeff Brohm (Photo: Dylan Buell, Getty)
Nebraska: 1-3
Wisconsin: 0-5
Iowa: 1-4
Minnesota: 1-3
Illinois: 3-2
Northwestern: 0-4
Overall: 6-21
As is the case with several other Big Ten bottom-feeders, the Boilermakers have been a doormat in their division over the last five seasons. The only have a winning record against Illinois in that time. The good news is that Jeff Brohm showed a lot of promise in his first season as head coach at Purdue last year.
SLIDE2 of 14
NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS
(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Nebraska: 2-2
Wisconsin: 2-3
Iowa: 2-3
Minnesota: 2-3
Illinois: 4-1
Purdue: 4-0
Overall: 16-12
Northwestern has been perfectly respectable in this time frame. The overall record is inflating by whipping Purdue and Illinois this year, but the Wildcats are always capable of an upset or two in the season. That definitely be the case again in 2018 with Clayton Thorson under center.
SLIDE3 of 14
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
(Photo: Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports)
Nebraska: 1-3
Wisconsin: 0-5
Iowa: 0-4
Minnesota: 1-3
Northwestern: 1-4
Purdue: 2-3
Overall: 5-22
As far as the records are concerned, Illinois has been the worst team in the Big Ten West in recent years. Well, their play on the field might tell you that too. If there is any good news, it's that Lovie Smith is off to a relatively strong start on the recruiting trail this year. If he can hang on to a couple key commitments, the Illini may have hope going forward.
SLIDE4 of 14
RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS
(Photo: Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports)
Ohio State: 0-4
Michigan: 1-3
Penn State: 0-4
Michigan State: 0-4
Maryland: 2-2
Indiana: 1-3
Overall: 4-20
Since making the move into the Big Ten, Rutgers has had a world of trouble gaining any traction within the conference. Chris Ash has made them somewhat respectable, but the Scarlet Knights have a long way to go before they are even in the middle tier of this vaunted division.
SLIDE5 of 14
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS
(Photo: Gophers Athletic Department, USA TODAY Sports)
Nebraska: 2-2
Wisconsin: 0-5
Iowa: 1-4
Illinois: 3-1
Northwestern: 3-2
Purdue: 3-1
Overall: 12-15
The Golden Gophers are solidly in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten West. If P.J. Fleck stays there long enough, there's a chance he could turn them into a more serious threat within the division. Even then, defeating rival Wisconsin will remain a tall task.
SLIDE6 of 14
INDIANA HOOSIERS
Indiana QB Richard Lagow. (Photo: Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports)
Ohio State: 0-5
Michigan: 0-5
Penn State: 1-4
Michigan State: 1-4
Maryland: 2-2
Rutgers: 3-1
Overall: 7-21
Indiana is more of a basketball school, and this divisional record reflects that. The Hoosiers are usually good enough to give one of the big hitters in the East a scare, but it's rare to see them finish the job. For now, they'll just have to win the games they should against Maryland and Rutgers.
SLIDE7 of 14
MARYLAND TERRAPINS
D.J. Moore (Photo: Harvey Levine-FOS/247, Getty)
Ohio State: 0-4
Michigan: 1-3
Penn State: 1-3
Michigan State: 1-3
Indiana: 2-2
Rutgers: 2-2
Overall: 7-17
To their credit, the Terrapins have drawn blood at least once against every division foe —outside of Ohio State — in the last five years. They may have made a little more noise last year, but Maryland was dealing with injury issues at quarterback. Even when healthy, they are a couple steps below the power programs in the East.
SLIDE8 of 14
IOWA HAWKEYES
(Photo: Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports)
Nebraska: 3-1
Wisconsin: 1-4
Minnesota: 4-1
Illinois: 4-0
Northwestern: 3-2
Purdue: 4-1
Overall: 19-9
Outside of Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes have been the most steady team in the Big Ten West over the last handful of seasons. Kirk Ferentz normally leads his team to an upset win and a halfway decent Florida bowl game. They also narrowly lost in the Big Ten Championship Game in 2015, 16-13 to Michigan State.
SLIDE9 of 14
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
(Photo: 247Sports)
Wisconsin: 0-4
Iowa: 1-3
Minnesota: 2-2
Illinois: 3-1
Northwestern: 2-2
Purdue: 3-1
Overall: 11-13
Nebraska a storied program that has fallen on hard times recently. The Huskers haven't had too much success since coming over from the Big 12, but that may all change soon. Nebraska won the coaching lottery this offseason when they landed Scoot Frost, a Nebraska alum and the hottest coaching candidate after the 2017 season. If all goes to plan, Nebraska will be challenging Wisconsin in the West soon.
SLIDE10 of 14
WISCONSIN BADGERS
(Photo: Hannah Foslien, Getty)
Nebraska: 4-0
Iowa: 4-1
Minnesota: 5-0
Illinois: 5-0
Northwestern: 3-2
Purdue: 5-0
Overall: 26-3
The Big Ten West has belonged to the Badgers for a few years now. They are like a machine that was programmed to win their division every season. The only thing left for the Badgers to do is to win the conference title game. Had they won against Ohio State last year, they might have been in the College Football Playoff.
SLIDE11 of 14
MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
(Photo: USA Today Sports Images, 247Sports)
Ohio State: 1-3
Michigan: 4-1
Penn State: 3-1
Maryland: 3-1
Indiana: 4-1
Rutgers: 4-0
Overall: 19-7
The crazy thing about that 19-7 divisional record for the Spartans is that it's bogged down by a 3-9 season in 2016 that seems to have just been a blip on the radar. Their only problem is that they can't seem to crack Ohio State, but they aren't alone. Michigan State and their fans take more pride in that record against Michigan anyway.
SLIDE12 of 14
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
(Photo: Harvey Levine/FOS)
Ohio State: 1-4
Michigan: 2-3
Michigan State: 1-3
Maryland: 3-1
Indiana: 4-1
Rutgers: 4-0
Overall: 15-12
James Franklin has done a tremendous job getting the Nittany Lions back on track in the Big Ten East. They even made their only win against Ohio State count by winning the Big Ten Championship in 2016. Unfortunately for Penn State, the Buckeyes got into the College Football Playoff over them that year. It'll be a slugfest in the East again this year, but Franklin will have his team ready.
SLIDE13 of 14
MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
(Photo: Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports)
Ohio State: 0-5
Penn State: 3-2
Michigan State: 1-4
Maryland: 3-1
Indiana: 5-0
Rutgers: 3-1
Overall: 15-13
The Woverines were in a bad spot when Jim Harbaugh took over in Ann Arbor, but he's been able to right the ship for the most part. One win against Ohio State and Michigan State just won't get it done — especially when Big Ten titles are the goal. If ever there was a year for Harbaugh and the Wolverines to finally break through against their rivals, it's this one.
SLIDE14 of 14
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
(Photo: Jamie Sabau, Getty)
Michigan: 5-0
Penn State: 4-1
Michigan State: 3-1
Maryland: 4-0
Indiana: 5-0
Rutgers: 4-0
Overall: 25-2
The Buckeyes have throttled their division opponents in the last five seasons, and they made it count in the 2014 season when they won the first ever College Football Playoff National Championship. Their only two losses proved costly though. Twice they were denied a trip to the Big Ten title game because of losses to a divisional foe — Michigan State in 2015 and Penn State in 2016.
ByAUSTIN NIVISON May 15, 4:38 PM
How a team plays against its division foes can determine what kind of season it has — especially in the Big Ten. Winning most or all of the divisional games can result in an Big Ten Championship Game appearance. Play poorly against division rivals and it may mean missing a bowl game entirely. Here is how every Big Ten team has fared in divisional play since 2013.
SLIDE1 of 14
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS
Jeff Brohm (Photo: Dylan Buell, Getty)
Nebraska: 1-3
Wisconsin: 0-5
Iowa: 1-4
Minnesota: 1-3
Illinois: 3-2
Northwestern: 0-4
Overall: 6-21
As is the case with several other Big Ten bottom-feeders, the Boilermakers have been a doormat in their division over the last five seasons. The only have a winning record against Illinois in that time. The good news is that Jeff Brohm showed a lot of promise in his first season as head coach at Purdue last year.
SLIDE2 of 14
NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS
(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Nebraska: 2-2
Wisconsin: 2-3
Iowa: 2-3
Minnesota: 2-3
Illinois: 4-1
Purdue: 4-0
Overall: 16-12
Northwestern has been perfectly respectable in this time frame. The overall record is inflating by whipping Purdue and Illinois this year, but the Wildcats are always capable of an upset or two in the season. That definitely be the case again in 2018 with Clayton Thorson under center.
SLIDE3 of 14
ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI
(Photo: Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports)
Nebraska: 1-3
Wisconsin: 0-5
Iowa: 0-4
Minnesota: 1-3
Northwestern: 1-4
Purdue: 2-3
Overall: 5-22
As far as the records are concerned, Illinois has been the worst team in the Big Ten West in recent years. Well, their play on the field might tell you that too. If there is any good news, it's that Lovie Smith is off to a relatively strong start on the recruiting trail this year. If he can hang on to a couple key commitments, the Illini may have hope going forward.
SLIDE4 of 14
RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS
(Photo: Ed Mulholland, USA TODAY Sports)
Ohio State: 0-4
Michigan: 1-3
Penn State: 0-4
Michigan State: 0-4
Maryland: 2-2
Indiana: 1-3
Overall: 4-20
Since making the move into the Big Ten, Rutgers has had a world of trouble gaining any traction within the conference. Chris Ash has made them somewhat respectable, but the Scarlet Knights have a long way to go before they are even in the middle tier of this vaunted division.
SLIDE5 of 14
MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS
(Photo: Gophers Athletic Department, USA TODAY Sports)
Nebraska: 2-2
Wisconsin: 0-5
Iowa: 1-4
Illinois: 3-1
Northwestern: 3-2
Purdue: 3-1
Overall: 12-15
The Golden Gophers are solidly in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten West. If P.J. Fleck stays there long enough, there's a chance he could turn them into a more serious threat within the division. Even then, defeating rival Wisconsin will remain a tall task.
SLIDE6 of 14
INDIANA HOOSIERS
Indiana QB Richard Lagow. (Photo: Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports)
Ohio State: 0-5
Michigan: 0-5
Penn State: 1-4
Michigan State: 1-4
Maryland: 2-2
Rutgers: 3-1
Overall: 7-21
Indiana is more of a basketball school, and this divisional record reflects that. The Hoosiers are usually good enough to give one of the big hitters in the East a scare, but it's rare to see them finish the job. For now, they'll just have to win the games they should against Maryland and Rutgers.
SLIDE7 of 14
MARYLAND TERRAPINS
D.J. Moore (Photo: Harvey Levine-FOS/247, Getty)
Ohio State: 0-4
Michigan: 1-3
Penn State: 1-3
Michigan State: 1-3
Indiana: 2-2
Rutgers: 2-2
Overall: 7-17
To their credit, the Terrapins have drawn blood at least once against every division foe —outside of Ohio State — in the last five years. They may have made a little more noise last year, but Maryland was dealing with injury issues at quarterback. Even when healthy, they are a couple steps below the power programs in the East.
SLIDE8 of 14
IOWA HAWKEYES
(Photo: Aaron Doster, USA TODAY Sports)
Nebraska: 3-1
Wisconsin: 1-4
Minnesota: 4-1
Illinois: 4-0
Northwestern: 3-2
Purdue: 4-1
Overall: 19-9
Outside of Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes have been the most steady team in the Big Ten West over the last handful of seasons. Kirk Ferentz normally leads his team to an upset win and a halfway decent Florida bowl game. They also narrowly lost in the Big Ten Championship Game in 2015, 16-13 to Michigan State.
SLIDE9 of 14
NEBRASKA CORNHUSKERS
(Photo: 247Sports)
Wisconsin: 0-4
Iowa: 1-3
Minnesota: 2-2
Illinois: 3-1
Northwestern: 2-2
Purdue: 3-1
Overall: 11-13
Nebraska a storied program that has fallen on hard times recently. The Huskers haven't had too much success since coming over from the Big 12, but that may all change soon. Nebraska won the coaching lottery this offseason when they landed Scoot Frost, a Nebraska alum and the hottest coaching candidate after the 2017 season. If all goes to plan, Nebraska will be challenging Wisconsin in the West soon.
SLIDE10 of 14
WISCONSIN BADGERS
(Photo: Hannah Foslien, Getty)
Nebraska: 4-0
Iowa: 4-1
Minnesota: 5-0
Illinois: 5-0
Northwestern: 3-2
Purdue: 5-0
Overall: 26-3
The Big Ten West has belonged to the Badgers for a few years now. They are like a machine that was programmed to win their division every season. The only thing left for the Badgers to do is to win the conference title game. Had they won against Ohio State last year, they might have been in the College Football Playoff.
SLIDE11 of 14
MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
(Photo: USA Today Sports Images, 247Sports)
Ohio State: 1-3
Michigan: 4-1
Penn State: 3-1
Maryland: 3-1
Indiana: 4-1
Rutgers: 4-0
Overall: 19-7
The crazy thing about that 19-7 divisional record for the Spartans is that it's bogged down by a 3-9 season in 2016 that seems to have just been a blip on the radar. Their only problem is that they can't seem to crack Ohio State, but they aren't alone. Michigan State and their fans take more pride in that record against Michigan anyway.
SLIDE12 of 14
PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
(Photo: Harvey Levine/FOS)
Ohio State: 1-4
Michigan: 2-3
Michigan State: 1-3
Maryland: 3-1
Indiana: 4-1
Rutgers: 4-0
Overall: 15-12
James Franklin has done a tremendous job getting the Nittany Lions back on track in the Big Ten East. They even made their only win against Ohio State count by winning the Big Ten Championship in 2016. Unfortunately for Penn State, the Buckeyes got into the College Football Playoff over them that year. It'll be a slugfest in the East again this year, but Franklin will have his team ready.
SLIDE13 of 14
MICHIGAN WOLVERINES
(Photo: Brad Mills, USA TODAY Sports)
Ohio State: 0-5
Penn State: 3-2
Michigan State: 1-4
Maryland: 3-1
Indiana: 5-0
Rutgers: 3-1
Overall: 15-13
The Woverines were in a bad spot when Jim Harbaugh took over in Ann Arbor, but he's been able to right the ship for the most part. One win against Ohio State and Michigan State just won't get it done — especially when Big Ten titles are the goal. If ever there was a year for Harbaugh and the Wolverines to finally break through against their rivals, it's this one.
SLIDE14 of 14
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
(Photo: Jamie Sabau, Getty)
Michigan: 5-0
Penn State: 4-1
Michigan State: 3-1
Maryland: 4-0
Indiana: 5-0
Rutgers: 4-0
Overall: 25-2
The Buckeyes have throttled their division opponents in the last five seasons, and they made it count in the 2014 season when they won the first ever College Football Playoff National Championship. Their only two losses proved costly though. Twice they were denied a trip to the Big Ten title game because of losses to a divisional foe — Michigan State in 2015 and Penn State in 2016.
Great points and I agree. I think depth, 4th quarter fatigue and injuries also played a role last year. Hopefully the injury bug won't strike us so hard this season, and our strength and conditioning will improve - - which I fully expect with Ballou on board.
A better S&C program immediately turned Purdue into a viable team. Multiple reports have said Purdue was just gassed by the 2nd half of every game and the results back that up, such as being within 3 of PSU at half 17-14 or so 2 years ago then losing by 40...
Assuming IU was in a similar position, the expected drop-off from the departing defensive production will be significantly reduced.
And that’s somewhat what I meant by Purdue “reaching their ceiling”. What I mean is what they did last season was the ceiling and about where their program is and should have been all along. They’re not much better than that at the moment. They’re a 6-6/7-5 program, as they were circa 2011. They’ve basically been the same talent wise. The issue at Purdue was 100% strength and conditioning. For whatever reason Hazel couldn’t figure it out. Their talent was 6-6 the past 5 years or so, their coaching hindered that. They simply needed a coach who wasn’t the worst in the big ten, which is why I think the jury is stil, out on brohm. I seriously think that with anyone other than Hazel they could’ve been decent in recent years, and roped underestimate how bad Hazel was and how much of a joke their S&C program was. It was sad and probably the worst I’ve seen in college football circa 2014 when CKW showed the whole team a video of them working out from the Indy star.
I do agree that the IU S&C is likely going to improve. I do believe that mark Hill is a huge reason as to why we went to a bowl game in my tenure. He’s great. Kentucky has already improved with Hill. I think that our new hire could be even better than Hill, and he has a more modern approach, while Hill focused more so on brute strength. It is possible that S&C could correlate to more wins this season for IU, and I have a very good feeling about the new S&C coach for some reason. Really feel like what he focuses on (agility/functional strength/flexibility) is what the team needs. Should reduce injuries. Another less relevant note, but it should also improve proday/combine performances. I think that under Hill, seeing latimer/Coleman run 4.3’s was a direct result of what Hill had going. Spriggs went 4.8. Guys performed better than they have the past cojple of years IMHO, and many opted to stay in Bloomington to workout with Hill vs. go get training elsewhere. I honestly think the new S&C coordinator can be even better which could lead to an extra win or two in it of itself. Another reason why I think CTA is off to a good start.
I have always felt that an advantage in S&C is one of the few things IUFB can do to compete. They are not going to get better talent out of HS than most of the teams in the B1G east. But they can work harder and smarter and have more opportunity to develop the talent they do get.
Although it was an interception it probably would be better described as a catch. Lagow dropped back in the pocket, made eye contact with the linebacker and then threw it directly to him. He did not have to move.
I'm curious to hear what your thoughts are on PU vs IU schedule for the upcoming year and how the S/C staffs handle them. Both are not cupcake schedules. ESPN FPI projects PU with 5.4 Wins and IU with 4.5 Wins, both falling out of bowl contention.
Will the new rosters and staffs be able to prove the projections wrong? How will the bucket game match up after IU playing @UM and PU hosting UW the week before? Can IU battle through the initial stretch of the season? Will PU be able to get through 5 tough games before bucket game @IU?
The PU upset was as much or more on the offense. Maryland was on the defense. The overall shortcomings of the season were on the shoulders of the offense. Wilson is the primary culprit for this due to his failure to recruit at the QB position and failure to maintain an Oline roster.
All good questions...
If I knew the actual answers I'd quit posting now and head to Vegas...
In my opinion, the last 4 games of the season and the Bucket Game in particular will be the final exam of sorts for our revitalized strength and conditioning program.
Playing a Big Ten schedule is much like a heavyweight boxing match, whoever has the best conditioning going into those last few rounds is going to win the bout...
I'm Really looking forward to the Bucket game this fall...
I'm betting on our Strength and Conditioning to be the difference this fall and help make the magazine prognosticators look silly...
//And..., upon further review..., you were specifically asking "84" those questions so apologies to both of you for cutting in...//
Don’t forget speed !
https://mobile.twitter.com/MattRheaPhD
Play his tweet from this morning to see speed improvements already
Ah, the twitterverse..., as much as our staff is on there I may have to break down and get involved with it...
To the point of the shared "tweet": More speed sounds great to me.- (and thanks for posting that)-
I'm more concerned as to whether we'll be able to maintain those gains all the way thru end of the season (at which point our players will have endured what amounts to the same type of wear and tear on the body as having been involved in a series of 50mph car wrecks accumulated over the previous 8 games). Only players with really great conditioning can handle that type of beating and continue to play at a high level late in the year.
I'm very interested to see how this new S&C staff impacts the results on the field this fall. I have a very good "feeling" about that...
So how do you explain NFL teams? They don't have the luxury of 85 man rosters and use about 17 or 18 defenders in a game on a regular basis. So shouldn't they be gassed at the end of games too? Or does their conditioning make a difference?
NFL team trainers are top level trainers. And the players likely have personal trainers as well. But this is all because we overrate conditioning?
And if all schools have great facilities then why did Purdue open a brand new shiny fantastic facility last year? Why is IU doing the same this year?
Sure. 2016 was a great offense - - - if you don't care about moving the ball over the goal line. We were #8 in the conference in scoring offense and in the bottom half nationally.
And the #9 (in the conference) defense that you mention had been #14, and close to dead last nationally, the year before (2015). The dramatically improved defense accounted for at least two games in 2016 (including the OT win over MSU) that we would have otherwise lost.
Per MD game, I blame the blown Punt blocking that allowed the block that was an unbelievable "Ole" for that to happen. PU game, Lagow starts with a pick and offense couldn't move.
Just watched the UM "All or Nothing" and had to re-live the defense forgetting to contain and allowing RB to go around end for touchdown on first play of OT. But recall, the D held them to allow offense (that played okay) to drive down for FG to tie it.
Bottom line, the Defense has been and I believe will be in fine shape. Allen knows it well, they have a system in place and actually good talent too. I believe the offense has good RB/WR talent, and now QB talent too. It ALL to me comes down to solid O-line play, and last year they were too young and as a result too abysmal.
Everyone back a year older and stronger with the new S/C staff, and a little pride to not be the weak link of the team. If the Oline is simply "good" IU will be better. I'm still saying 7-5. If lightning in a bottle hits, they have a chance to truly be 8-4/9-3...if things break their way (like UM OT loss, should have beaten MSU, and don't get punt blocked, think they beat MD.)
The best way to put things in perspective would be both sides of the ball were to blame for the season. The strength of the team was supposed to be on the defensive side. Sure the D played well versus lesser teams, but it couldn't come close to what was expected against equal or better competition (MSU game excluded). Lack of takeaways and perhaps a vanilla playbook did the offense little favors throughout the season. I've seen different reasons by several posters blame the offense....the o-line, QB play, play calling, injuries, schedule, etc. but yet they averaged a point more per game than the season before. This being true and the defense supposedly the side with more talent and experience, who is really to blame?
At end of day, BEST way to assess it is it is a TEAM loss for sure. I agree in some bigger games the D wasn't as solid as we thought, but also do think the offense last year didn't consistently thrive like they seemingly had in the past (though your stats may have an argument against that.)
Per offense, I do think Oline will be better, and I'm glad to be moving past Lagow to a more mobile QB threat, whomever it is, though likely Dawkins the starter, w/Ramsey #1 back up. I think all in all both sides of the ball may still be young, but pound for pound, there is more athletic talent in the pipeline. Combine that with the S/C improvements, and I see IU bouncing back next year.
