| In their loss to Illinois, Purdue's bowl hopes seemingly vanished as well. We've said that the past two years as well, and both times the Boilermakers won out after picking up their 6th loss, to qualify. But that was never more than a two game winning streak, even if it included a surprising win over Iowa in one year. Right now, it's hard to get a grasp on the program's momentum being torn in opposite directions. On one hand Jeff Brohm turned down his alma mater, and Purdue ponied up to reward him, and the recruiting is going well. On the other hand, since beating Iowa last year, the Boilermakers have gone 3-9, which was precisely their record in 2 of Darrell Hazell's final three seasons. But if there is anyone who isn't feeling sorry for Purdue, it's Nebraska, who has gone from division favorite, to fighting for bowl eligibility, likewise losing a starting quarterback to injury, and their best offensive weapon (although due to legal issues, rather than injury). Adrian Martinez, who was a game time decision last week, but didn't play, seems sure to play this week, although last week, the absense of their starting quarterback was not any part of the problem. Three players (including a trick play from receiver JD Spielman) combined to complete 20 of 23 passes for 294 yards, 1 touchdown, and no interceptions, and another 97 rushing yards, on 5.1 ypc, with 2 rushing touchdowns, from the quarterback position. The issues were where the Huskers once prided themselves, running the ball and playing defense. Wan'Dale Robinson and Dedrick Mills combined for 113 rushing yards, but needed 30 carries (3.8 ypc) to do it, and had 2 fumbles. Then defensively they assumed they'd get a break when Michael Penix, who was also a game time decision, also didn't play. Instead, Peyton Ramsey had probably the best game of his career, completing 68% of his passes, for 351 yards on 8.8 ypa. His QBR was the highest of his career against an FBS team. So going from Indiana's Big Ten leading 296.6 passing ypg to Purdue's #2 259.4 ypg seems like trouble. Really, Purdue is more an issue of quantity than quality though. They are completing 10% fewer of their passes, and their ypa of 6.5, is only 9th. That doesn't stop them from throwing the ball over 40 times per game in conference play, 56% of the time. And now, Jeff Brohm has gone and created a quarterback controversy, where none previously existed. Jack Plummer, who had been the man since Elijah Sindelar went down, struggled mightily in the rain against Illinois, going 7-19 for 69 yards and a pick six. So Brohm put in sophomore Aidan O'Connell, who really didn't do any better, but did generate a meaningless touchdown drive late, once Purdue was down 24-0. Either way, Brohm then announced an open quarterback competition after the game...only to reverse course Monday and say the job was still Plummer's. These are probably the two most disappointing teams in the conference this season, but Nebraska is getting healthier, Purdue isn't, and Brohm seems more at a loss right now than Frost. |
