Just like last year, September could be a very make or break month for the Boilermakers. They are probably going to be favored in each of their first four game, and could go into Happy Valley at 4-0. But a cross country trip to play a night game at Nevada, followed by home dates against Vanderbilt, TCU and Minnesota also doesn't have a layup in the bunch. 0-4 seems extreme, but I suppose possible. Purdue can not stumble out of the gate like they did last year, when they got off to an 0-3 start, kicked off by a pair of 15 yard personal fouls that cost them chances to beat Northwestern and Eastern Michigan. Nevada probably has its most talented roster in Jay Norvell's three years at the helm, and if the quarterback situation works itself out, it might be their best team since the 2010 Colin Kaepernick team that went 13-1 and finished #11. Redshirt freshman Carson Strong will get the first shot, and Nevada has the makeup that the Jay Norvell/Matt Mumme Air Raid offense wants. The transfer of top WR McLane Mannix hurts, but the Wolfpack return their seven next leading recievers, so they should be able to spread the ball around. If Strong struggles, Cristian Solano, last year's #2, might be next up, but the very intriguing option is Malik Henry. The crown jewel of Florida State's 2016 recruiting class, he was kicked off the team for punching a woman in a bar before ever seeing the field. He spent 2017 playing at Last Chance U, and then after finding no FBS offers, went back for 2018. However, he only barely saw the field, and was kicked off the team, because, according to the coach, "Malik hasn't changed." He seems like a gamble not worth taking for Nevada, but it is what it is now. Purdue's strength is also their receiving group, led by Rondale Moore, the most dynamic player in college football, now joined by a pair of recruits in David Bell and Milton Wright, who would have rated as Purdue's #1 and #3 highest rated recruits of the past 12 seasons. I say "would have" because George Karlaftis was also a part of this class. All reports are that he is absolutely living up to the billing. The questions are sort of everywhere else. The offensive line needs to develop, Elijah Sindelar needs to play much more consistent, and a running back needs to emerge. A position that was already thin following the graduation of its top two rushers from 2018, dwindled even more following a broken jaw suffered by Tario Fuller. Zander Horvath and his 9 career carries is now the clear cut #1, but when you have coaches discussing giving a walk on fullback more touches, it doesn't really instill confidence. I wouldn't be surprised to see Moore line up in the backfield quite a bit. This is an unnecessarily tough, no-win situation for a team like Purdue to start the season with. If the Wolfpack get good quarterback play, I think the Boilermakers are a juicy pick to get upset. But considering a backup JUCO quarterback, who got kicked out of two schools, is in the mix to start, based on his high school performance from four years ago, I'm not confident that will happen. Nevada will make Purdue uncomfortable though. |