Behind Enemy Lines: Q&A With Hammer and Rails

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

It has been a long time since Wake Forest and Purdue faced each other on the football field. The last time the Deacs and Boilermakers played, future NFL QB Kyle Orton was squaring off against future ACC Player of the Year Chris Barclay all the way back in 2003. To get us a little more familiar with the state of Purdue football and what to expect on Saturday, we have enlisted the help of Andrew Ledman from Hammer and Rails.

The Deacs were very close to playing against Ryan Browne last season at UNC, but he transferred back to Purdue when current Wake Forest QB Gio Lopez signed with the Heels. How do Boilermaker fans feel about his development now that he is in his 4th season with Purdue?

I think a lot of Purdue fans were upset that head coach Barry Odom didn’t go out to get someone to compete for the starting job. Browne didn’t have a stellar year last year for Purdue, and there was a question about how much he could improve in the offseason. I think it’s important to note that Browne did not have a ton of help on offense last year, and the line was especially bad. He was running for his life consistently. So in that respect I don’t think we’ve truly seen what he’s capable of yet. He’s got a problem with staring down receivers at times and can overthrow the ball as well. There’s more work to be done but he definitely has more to work with this year. 

Which transfer players are expected to have the biggest impact for Purdue this season? 

The biggest one burst onto the scene for Purdue in their week one matchup. That was Fame Ijeboi (pronounced E-G-Boy) who came to Purdue from Minnesota. He’s the best running back for Purdue right now. There’s also offensive lineman Boaz Stanley who played at South Carolina and Troy. Purdue needed big bodies for the line and at 6’4” 310 or so he fit the bill. 

Were there any players that surprised you in the first game against Indiana State?

I have to go back to Ijeboi. We saw him at Minnesota but I can’t pretend I watched every Golden Gophers football game last season. He showed good speed, patience, and field vision. He was the complete package and will take a lot of pressure off of everyone else on the offensive side of the ball. 

Purdue had one of the toughest schedules in the nation last season. Despite the 2-10 record, were there signs or moments where it looked like the team was headed in the right direction or improving?

Despite the 2-10 record, Purdue actually played a lot of teams close last season. Small comfort for Purdue fans I know, but it’s true. I know the score doesn’t show it, but while they lost at Notre Dame 56-30, they actually had a chance in the third quarter before everything fell apart. Purdue also had real shots at wins against Minnesota, Rutgers, and Michigan. But wins and losses are what matter, and Purdue just simply didn’t get it done. 

Purdue is coming off of back to back 0-9 seasons in Big-10 play and has won just 1 FBS game in 2 years. What do you think is the cause of this? Were they too slow to adapt to the NIL/transfer portal era or is football just kind of 2nd fiddle to the basketball program?  

The fun answer for Purdue fans is Ryan Walters. He was a terrible coach, was not ready for a head job, and set the program back multiple years. The more difficult answer to face is that Purdue simply didn’t adapt to the changing world of college football. Teams need multimillion dollar rosters and Purdue simply didn’t invest to the caliber that they need to in order to be competitive. To your point, it also is second to the men’s basketball program. It is the state of Indiana after all. 

On that topic, in an era where the transfer portal can flip a team’s outlook in 1 season and longer rebuilds aren’t really tolerated, what are the expectations heading into this season? Could Purdue already be looking for a new coach if the Boilermakers have another 2 win season? 

If Purdue has a two win season I’d definitely say Odom is on the hot seat. He came into a terrible situation, there’s no question, but results are all that matter. It doesn’t help him that Purdue just hired a new AD who officially takes over January 1st and will likely want his stamp on the department. That can often signal bad news for hires from the previous regime if they are on the edge of being retained or fired. 

I think, unfortunately, most people are looking at 3-4 wins this year. It doesn’t help that even when the schedule is easier, it’s still a Big Ten schedule, and that’s tough. Add in Notre Dame in the non-conference and you’ve got 10 difficult games before adding two additional non-conference matchups. (That’s no slight on Wake Forest mind you.) 

For Purdue to win this game, which player needs to have a big game?

Browne needs to play his best game. On the defensive side Charles Correa (linebacker) needs to have a great game in the middle. Again I’m gonna sort of chicken out on the question and say the Purdue offensive line has to have a much better game protecting Browne and opening holes for the running game. On the defensive side Purdue’s secondary has to do a better job than they did against former Boilermaker Brady Allen (in garbage time). 

Prediction for the game?

I’m generally an optimistic guy elsewhere in my life, and I’m trying to find some optimism for Purdue football but after the Indiana State game I just didn’t see enough to make me think that Purdue will pull this one out. Depending on any changes between now and then I’ll go Wake Forest 35 Purdue 28. Would love to be wrong though.

Thanks to Andrew for helping us get more familiar the Boilermakers before Saturday’s matchup.

Go Deacs!

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos