Purdue Preview

The Purdue Boilermakers should offer a better challenge for the Fighting Irish this weekend for the home opener in South Bend than the Navy Midshipmen did for the opener in Dublin.  Even though the Boilermakers will be a more formidable opponent, I do predict that the Irish will be 2-0 after this Saturday. 

Purdue comes into the season with optimism and for more reasons than having a head football coach named Hope (16-21), now entering his fourth season with the team.  The Boilermakers won their final two games and three of four games last season, including a 26-23 win over Ohio State and finishing with a 37-32 Little Ceases Pizza Bowl Win (Purdue’s first bowl appearance since 2007) over Western Michigan.

Offensively, like the Irish, Purdue has three options at quarterback, where unlike the Irish who want to select on QB and stay with him, Purdue will plan on playing multiple quarterbacks during a game and possibly have two of them on the field at once.  Senior Caleb TerBush won seven games as a starter last year and will probably be the “starter” for Purdue this season. Sixth year senior Robert Marve will definitely see the field after several successful ACL surgeries as he is an athletic talent who can run Purdue’s offense.  Third option Robert Henry, who is also returning after ACL issues, may also line up at receiver and/or running back.

Purdue has a solid offensive line but it does lack depth, which could definitely favor the Irish as they have depth on the offensive line and will be able to keep fresh legs on the field throughout the game to wear down the Boilermakers along the line of scrimmage.  Their running backs and receivers will be a step up from Navy, but nothing too dangerous except against the inexperienced Irish secondary, which will be an issue all season.  Let’s hope that Notre Dame uses these first two games to learn, grow and develop as much as possible in a short period of time.

Defensively, the Boilermakers are experienced across the front line running a 4-3 led by defensive tackle Kawann Short.  Unlike the Irish, Purdue has two strong and experienced cornerbacks that defend the pass well.  I do, however,  like this game to be an opportunity for Tyler Eifert to dominate and for Golson to develop confidence in his (short to medium ) passing game. 

Their high point is their kick return game as sophomore Raheem Mostertt, who led the nation last year with an average of 33.5 yards per kick return, including four for over 70 yards and one touchdown (99 yards).

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