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Purdue Preview and Prediction
By Patrick O'Briant
Matchup: Purdue Boilermakers Purdue (3-6, 2-4 B1G), at Northwestern Wildcats (1-7, 0-6 B1G)
Date: Saturday, November 9, 2019,11:00 AM CST
TV: Big Ten Network (Does it matter? Do you really want to watch?)
Line: Northwestern (-2) (wow, this is surprising)
Over/Under 39.5
I don’t know where to begin. In these days of fever pitched social
media, I have decided to take page from the Trump era playbook. I am
writing this Lowes Line using actual Tweets – throwing “virtual
marshmallows” at our beloved Wildcats. #sad
@Camper5Hunter
Our offense is _________________ .
When it comes to the general concept of an offense, let’s just state
for the record that Northwestern has not accomplished much success in
2019. It is not exactly the days of “Expect Victory” under Coach Gary
Barnett or the complex offenses of Coach Walker. Just based on the
abysmal performance over the past month, this may be one of the WORST
POWER 5 OFFENSES OF ALL TIME.
@slmandel
Smaller story, but Northwestern has gone from reaching the Big Ten
championship game last year to fielding possibly its worst team in 20
years. Now 1-6. Scored a combined 13 points in three October games.
@SchutteCFB
How bad is Northwestern’s offense? The Wildcats have 8 touchdowns this season.
Rutgers has 15.
@BryanDFischer
Northwestern will go at least 34 days — and 44 offensive drives — without a touchdown (four games and counting).
@coffman_noah
The Wildcats remain squarely at 4.1 yards per pass attempt after
Saturday, which, as a reminder, would make them not only by far the
worst passing attack of 2019 by that metric, but the second-worst since
2003 behind only 2008 Army, a triple-option team
@Jackson_Lehmar
Northwestern last 3 games combined score: 106-6
@NUCatFan23
This is the lowest scoring three game stretch for Northwestern Football
since 10/17 - 10/31 1981. Historically bad season continues... #B1GCats
#GoCats #IDontCare @WildcatReport @insidenu @ellabrockway
@TeddyGreenstein
@AFriedman15DFS
good job @NUFBFamily. Very modern offense you are running here in the 1949 season. #FireMcCall #NOW
Hoosier Dilemma
Let’s look at the Indiana game.
@luchvain
Northwestern's drives tonight:
Fumble
FG
Fumble
Punt
Punt
Fumble
Punt
Punt
Punt
Punt
Punt
@TeddyGreenstein
Here is your Northwestern game summary: 6 penalties (some questionable), 0 TDs (indisputable
@cbhhughes21
This reminder the only B1G team not to score at least 28 on IU so far this season is Rutgers.
So far.
#FireMcCall
Offensive Coaching
So what is Northwestern doing to address the offensive [sic] gap?
@insidenu
On what he [Coach Fitz] told the team after six straight losses: "Can't
lose the turnover ratio. I thought we had a pretty good offensive
gameplan that we failed to execute. It starts and ends with me and I
have to take responsibility for that."
@NUWildcats2003
That Fitz thought that they had a good offensive game plan is proof
that he should be no where near the offensive game planning. He needs
to get a new offensive coordinator and get out of the way. #FireMcCall
@TweetsofTorah
There’s one easy way to respond to this pathetic season. #FireMccall.
It’s not the 1940s anymore. Teams are allowed to score points. Having
the worst offense out of 130 FBS teams is inexcusable. Make it happen
or there will be a lot more games I just won’t watch.
So how is Coach Fitzgerald addressing the problem? And more importantly, so address the coaching staff?
@SchutteCFB
“I understand there are 40,000 experts on Twitter that can call plays
for me. My email address is hashtag I don’t care.” - Pat Fitzgerald
@hailtopurple
Yeah, Control-Alt-Delete just ain't cutting it.
@ambnicole
If anyone is listening please #FireMcCall
@EmmyChance1
who do I email with complaints again?
Will Coach Fitzgerald take some personal responsibility and make some
major coaching changes after this season? Yes, firing people is hard –
one of the most difficult things one can do in a career – but he is
also one of the HIGHEST paid “teachers” at any private university in
the United States. Suck it up, buttercup.
@MiltonLedbetter
Mick McCall makes $600k a year. That’s the most atrocious thing I’ve
heard in my lifetime. Lock his ass up for robbery. #FireMcCall #Felon
@jpklock
Not so much a question for Fitz, as for Dr. Phillips: we know that Fitz
will never willingly #FireMcCall, but is a 2-10 season enough for the
AD to intervene, or should I keep hoping that we go 1-11 this year, so
that you’ll force him to make that move?
And my personal favorite (I didn’t even initially realize this was written by the Lowes Line's own Kevin Vedder:
@vedderkj
Take responsibility by getting a new offensive coordinator
Outlook
The Purdue Boilermakers are in a similar pickle. Head coach Jeff Brohm
has to turn to third string to Aidan O'Connell (sound familiar,
anyone?). He's completed 15 of 22 passes (68.2 percent) for 133 yards
and a touchdown (6.0 yards per attempt). Wide receiver Rondale Moore
(29 receptions, 387 yards, 2 TDs) injured his hamstring and has yet to
return. Fellow receiver David Bell (51, 676, 4) and tight end Brycen
Hopkins (42, 538, 3) have carried Purdue's passing game in Moore's
absence.
Despite their injuries, the Boilermakers have proven one thing that the
Wildcats have not: the ability to play despite injuries. Purdue will
capitalize on Northwestern's lack of depth. Jeff Brohm will look to
exploit Pat Fitzgerald's defense, which is also starting to reveal
weakness, surrendering 106 points in their last three games alone.
Given that Northwestern has only scored six points TOTAL in in the same
timeframe, it literally takes only ONE TD to win.
Prediction
Both offenses STINK. Purdue is better than the Cats, but the
Boilermakers are now down to their third string QB. The Wildcats have a
sizeable edge on defense, and that is where this game could be won for
them. Northwestern is ranked 36th in total points allowed. However,
despite being much more consistent on the defensive end, the Wildcats
have been a bit soft up front, giving up close to 160 on the ground to
opponents as well.
Northwestern has an opportunity to get back on track versus the
Boilermakers. However, as we pointed out via “the 40,000 experts on
Twitter,” the Wildcats have not been able to move the ball all season –
they are ranked the worst in almost all major offensive categories. And
OC McCall seems hell bent to play football like it is 1940.
Pick
@MarcLucas5355
Change their name to Northworstern.
@KevinMorison
The Mildcats may not score another TD all season.
Ugly, ugly, ugly game. Aiden vs. Aiden. The Cardiac Cats return (as in
the 1940s Wildcats who also suffer from a heart condition), but they
will finally score ONE touchdown.
Purdue 21, Northwestern 10. Take the Boilermakers and the points.
Season to Date: Straight up (6-2); Against the spread (4-4)
@hailtopurple
hashtagwealsonolongercare
- Patrick O'Briant
The Lowes Line does not necessarily reflect the views of HailToPurple.com.
The Lowes Line is an
e-mailed description of NU's
next
football game, with an invariably fearless prediction of the outcome
and
how NU will fare against what the other "experts" predict. Our
good
friend and Brother Marcus Lowes began the broadcast mailing in 1996.
The crack Lowes Line Staff (alumni Jersey Cat,
GallopingGrapes, P.S. O'Briant, Eric Cockerill, Joel Kanvik, Charlie Simon, and
MO'Cats) have continued the Line in memory of Marcus.
For
the 2019 season it has returned to HailToPurple.com,
for anyone to enjoy. Thanks to the gridiron brain trust at the Lowes
Line!
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