Purdue Football 2015 – Better, worse or about the same?

PURDUE OFFENSE

Theoretically, the offense should be a bit stronger as Appleby looks like he’ll be starting at QB once again. He took the reigns early in the season last year after Etling struggled…but then began having similar problems as Etling.

Many Purdue fans have been wondering aloud if this isn’t an offensive coordinator/QB coach issue and not a QB experience issue.

The offensive line is solid and deep and should provide time for whomever is behind the center.

Purdue loses its most-productive offensive weapon in Akeem Hunt as well as back-up RB, Raheem Mostert…but all reports say the RBs have been solid in camp…but they’re green.

Anthrop, Purdue’s best receiver last season is coming off of a torn ACL…but is hitting all of his benchmarks for recovery. The tight end position is a massive question mark as long time starters Gabe Holmes and Justin Sinz have graduated.

PURDUE DEFENSE

Just like the TE’s on offense, the ends are a big question mark as both DEs have graduated…and while Purdue looked solid in the middle (at times) last season thanks to Watson and Howard at nose, there wasn’t much pass rush on the edge. Purdue needs the highly-touted Gelen Robinson to make big strides in a hurry here.

The loss of six defensive starters will hurt as many of those who graduated were multi-year starters who were very stable. OLB JaWhaun Bentley, DT Ra’Zahn Howard and CB Frankie Williams could all be on All-BT watch lists at the mid-season…will they be enough to hide the holes, is the question.

I would guess they won’t and the defense will be worse in 2015 (if that’s possible).

BUYING OR SELLING

I’m selling…but if this were a real investment, is there any better time to get in than when the value is this low?

I have a very ‘show me’ type of attitude for the upcoming season. Purdue made marginal strides last season following one of the worst seasons in the history of the program in 2013…and the upcoming schedule is much tougher for ’15.

Offensive coordinator John Shoop looks to have no ability to generate points, the defense’s bend & break philosophy can’t consistently stop the run or the pass and the recruiting plan and execution has been poor and thus far, I’ve been very wrong about Darrell Hazell- we have no tangible reason to believe he was a good hire at this point.

Purdue needs to prove everyone wrong just to flirt with a .500 record this coming fall.

My prediction is 4-8

Ryan Dowd of Boiled Sports provided the information for our Purdue Football 2015 Spring recap. For more Purdue football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Ryan and the guys at Boiled Sports on Twitter @BoiledSports.