Interview with Frenemies: Purdue

Hey – this series is back this week! After being ghosted by Northwestern, not having a sister site for USC, and having the Michigan site say they didn’t have time – we are so thankful to hear from Andrew Ledman at Purdue’s SB Nation Site Hammer and Rails. We encourage you to go over there to check out my answers and read the Boiler perspective on this Saturday’s matchup.

1. It’s year two for Barry Odom and staff. From the outside, there seems to be some clear improvement. What’s stood out to you about how the Boilers have played this year compared to past seasons?

There’s really been improvement all over the field. Ryan Browne has drastically improved at QB from where he was last season. A large part of that has been improvement on the offensive line and at the WR position. Last year Browne was running for his life on most plays and no one was open. Now, he’s running for his life on far fewer plays and guys are able to get more open.

2. At the same time, Purdue has lost some frustrating games – namely Wake Forest. What do you look for in the second half of the season from Purdue? What are your expectations?

Honestly, we are loooking for continued improvement in all facets of the game. You bring up that Wake Forest game and you’re right it was very frustrating. Purdue gave up a 4th and 15 in overtime and would ultimately go on to lose. Most Purdue fans place the blame for that loss at the feet of retreat defensive coordinator Kevin Kane who said after the game that the defense needed to do a better job knowing where the sticks were. Big time yikes! My biggest key for the defense is getting off the field on third down and especially third and long where Purdue is one of the worst, if not the worst, teams in the country.

3. Let’s narrow in on the offense – Penn State has been awful against the run? Is that something that Purdue can exploit on Saturday? Who are some names that Lions’ fans should know about?

If the offensive line can do their job then yes. The injury report that was just released did not include offensive lineman Joey Tanona. No word yet on if that means he’s going to play but he’s a great piece on that line. Fame Ijeboi has been the star of the offense for Purdue after coming over from Minnesota. He’s got the talent to make plays regardless of the size of the hole the line opens. He is at his best when he can bounce it outside but he also does a good job everywhere on the field. In Purdue’s last game against Washington they really struggled to run the football so it’s not as if the Purdue run game is unable to be stopped. Antonio Harris is the second back for Purdue and he can break a big play as well so I’d be on the lookout for him.

4. Same now with defense – Penn State has struggled mightily in the red zone. How has the Purdue defense been this year and what can they do to continue to keep Penn State out of the end zone?

Oh boy the Purdue defense. How to describe the Purdue defense. Inconsistent I guess would be the best word. They’ve struggled to generate turnovers, except against Washington where they grabbed 4 (one more on special teams). They are terrible on 3rd and lonog. According the The Fourth Quarter Purdue’s defense is 138th out of 138 teams when it comes to 3rd down and 7 or more yards. So, if you’re a Penn State fan there’s no reason to worry if you’re in a 3rd and 7 or more. The Purdue defense allows conversions on 47.3% of such plays. That’s just indicitive of where the team is. Then, there’s also the two game stretch against Illinois and Minnesota where the defense looked great.

5. What are your big keys for Saturday and let’s have a prediction.

Obviously for the Purdue defense it’s getting off the field on third down. I know that’s so incredibly insightful but the numbers speak for themselves. Now, how do they do that? Well, they’ve got to force Penn State to be one dimensional. I know they want to pass more than run so Purdue has to figure out a way to slow the Penn State passing game. On offense Purdue needs to control the clock and not falter in the red zone. They’ve struggled to get 7 when they get down there, far too often settling for field goals, so they need to punch it in when they get down there.

Unfortunately I think this game allows Penn State to finally get that Big Ten win and they walk away with a 28-17 victory.