By: Dakota Isgrigg | December 6th | @dakota_isgrigg | @BoilerInTexas

2020 has been and will be a year for the history books. As the human race, we had to deal with a novel virus that spread across the globe over the course of a couple months. In the matter of days it completely rocked the US. turning the world completely upside down. Many people spent 6 months having to alter their way of life to deal with it. There were no sports happening, as all of the major college and professional sports organizations explored options to bring sports back safely. In a more localized area of sports, we saw the Big Ten balk and mumble forward while we eagerly awaited the possibility of football returning. After a snafu with postponing the season, then it coming back with this shortened season, many fans were just happy to have football back.

Purdue fans, on the other hand, were a different level of excited. We weren’t just excited to have sports back, we were excited to see this team play once again at full strength! After a 2019 that included a slew of injuries across the board, fans just wanted to see what a healthy Purdue team could look like. The season came and it started out well enough, as Purdue beat Iowa in the season opener, optimism went through the roof. Nevermind that Iowa wasn’t really Iowa yet. We went on the road to a severely depleted Illinois team and left needing a redzone stop and 3rd down prayer to escape with a win. While these were wins and it showed promise, I don’t believe that they were quite the wins we assumed they were. It became clear at the end of the Illinois game that defense would be the make-or-break of this team. As it turns out, we can throw special teams in there as well. Whether the answer is that the defensive players, or Bob Diaco himself, are struggling to adjust to the new defensive scheme at Purdue is hard to know. What we do know is that the defense is not being put in the best position to succeed, and I think that falls more on the coaching staff than the players.

This is where we need to make one thing clear, I personally feel that while the defense has struggled mightily, they are still trying to adjust to a new defensive scheme as well. As much as we want to believe that Diaco was going to come in and turn this unit into a defensive stalwart, that wasn’t going to happen. While there are some talented players on the defense, they still need the guidance to be put in the best position to succeed. There needs to be a heart-to-heart with Diaco by someone in this program this offseason to get whatever is happening fixed, but until then, it will be the far inferior side of the ball from a results perspective.

Special teams was a phase of the game that we as fans, had become spoiled with the consistency of seasons past, this year is not one of those years. Special teams needs to be fixed as well, and someone needs to realize that soon.

You’ll notice that I’m not touching on the offense. That is in fact by design. Even with the faults of CJB, I’m still not worried about the offense. The offensive-line has been a problem; but, they have been better this year than years past. Our receivers and backs are good, and the QB position is… manageable. I’m not worried about the offense.

Special teams gifted Nebraska 14 points less than 5-minutes into the game and that seemed to break the back of this Purdue team. This team has been through some things the last few weeks. I don’t think enough people think about what the result of the Minnesota game did to this team. They finally lose to Northwestern in a hard fought game, they then go on the road and have #BigTenRefs take that one away from them. I think the Minny result really deflated the confidence in this team. Follow that up with bad luck in the Rutgers game with the kickoff return TD, and that was the back-breaking moment. Purdue didn’t look the same from that moment and these guys are feeling probably the worst they have in a while.

As much as we want to believe that these 18-23 year old kids have the mental fortitude to deal with these results as well as the pandemic. With all these heart-breaking results, it’s unsurprising that many see this season as drawing to a close.

There are many questions that need to be asked of this staff. There are many things that need to be addressed. But, what we as fans can’t do right now, is show them that we have given up on them. They go out there every week and do their best. We can do our part in showing the appreciation they deserve. If you look at the internet, Twitter especially, you’ll see apathy and frustration abound. I think we could all go without that particular service every once and a while.

Don’t give up on them. Once you give up, that’s when we officially return to the Hazell-esque days. Don’t give up on Purdue football.

This fight is far from over. I’ll see y’all next week for Indiana!

As ALWAYS, Boiler Up, Hammer Down, Hail Purdue!