Staff Roundtable: Who is Purdue Football’s Most Improved?

Purdue football has had an incredible turnaround over these last two weeks. But, who do you attribute it to? I asked the staff the following question: Purdue football is in the midst of a two game winning streak. Who or what has impressed you the most?

Ledman:

I mean, the obvious answer is the defense as a whole. They’ve just improved in leaps and bounds from where they were just a few weeks ago and yes the competition has changed but the change has been drastic. If I’m going to point to one specific person I’ll just say that Ryan Browne has been incredible. A guy that a lot of Purdue fans were mild on coming back and getting the starting role has suddenly become a star with both his arm and his legs. His improvement is the result of many other people so shoutout the offensive line as well.

Travis:

Just the overall plan. The last two games Purdue has gotten off to a hot start and you can tell the offense has wanted to extend drives and keep the defense off the field. Not only has the defense done better when it is out there, the Boilers are dominating the time of possession, which works just as good as defense since it is kinda hard to score without the football. The offense is not making mistakes, Ryan Browne has just a single interception on the year, and Fame Ijeboi has proven to be a difference-maker.

Also, with Notre Dame, UCLA, and Wake Forest all in the current top 25 it is clear that the schedule was tough too, and that Purdue can at least push good teams.

Casey:

The improved line play is the most important part for Purdue. The play makers have been really really good, but it has to be Ryan Browne. Purdue needs elite QB play to make up for deficiencies elsewhere and that’s what Browne is giving them. He’s making big plays. He’s been extremely accurate. He’s keeping plays alive. His running ability creates space for the run game. He has a 9 to 1 td to interception mark and so he’s making sure Purdue isn’t shooting itself in the foot. He’s playing damn near like an All-American and letting a talented playmaker group really shine. He’s been phenomenal.

Ryan:

I think it has to be the defense. Kevin Kane’s group has done a really good job after we were ready to call it quits on Kane after the Notre Dame game. 17 points to Illinois and 13 to Minnesota felt nothing short of a miracle but Purdue has locked in. If this version of Purdue’s defense continues combined with a humming Purdue offense, Purdue will double its win total from last year and more (which is only 1 more victory in 6 tries). Heck, this Purdue team from the past 2 games could mess around and make a bowl game (Washington, Maryland, and dare I say Wisconsin are winnable games for this version of Purdue).

Drew:

Purdue brought in offensive line coach Zach Crabtree to work hand in hand with offensive coordinator Josh Henson this offseason to fix the offensive line.

The offensive line not only performed well enough to let the offense function (the main concern coming into the season), but it also dominated the line of scrimmage against a Gopher front 7 that held Michigan’s running backs to 59 yards the previous week.

Keep in mind, coming out of camp, Purdue’s starting offensive line was supposedly going to be this:

LT: Joey Tanona

LG: Brock Brownfield

C: Boaz Stanley

RG: Micah Banuelos

RT: Jude McCoskey

Purdue’s starting lineup vs. Minnesota was this:

LT: Nuku Mafi

LG: Marques Easley

C: Boaz Stanley

RG: Micah Banuelos

RT: Rico Schrieber

The fact that Purdue’s offense can function at all while missing three starters (technically 2 starters; I’m pretty sure Easley is the starting left guard now) is a testament to the coaching of Henson and Crabtree. Fame Ijeboi rushing for 195 yards against the Gophers and the line not giving up a sack to both Illinois and Minnesota is almost inexplicable. The only explanation I can come up with is that Barry Odom was correct when he said Zach Crabtree is one of the nation’s best offensive line coaches.