8/25/2025 Boilermaker Water Cooler Chat: Week Zero Edition
Rants, ravings, and somewhat sensical opinions following the wild, wacky, and wide-wide world of Purdue sports.
It has been a while, folks! Far, far too long, really. In the last several months I have struggled to keep myself busy, but I staved off the Purdue sports-less cabin fever as long as possible. Some people take up hobbies. Others smoke meats, or brew their own beers. Woodworking seems fun. I could train for a marathon. I could start playing music again, or start that metal-cover band that I’ve always wanted to be frontman of. There are tons of opportunities! Did I do any of these fun things? Nope.
I went on a vacation. I read a book or two. I went to the gym. I even watched some baseball. I had a minor injury which turned into minor surgery. Certain family members got really into genealogy, and it turns out that I am a direct line to an obscure defunct European royal monarchy. So I have that going for me, which is nice.
Oh, and my parents got a dog!
That’s about it folks. Real barn-burner of an off season. Staving off sports withdrawal with everyday life, one minute at a time. At least I had an opportunity to get to know myself, you know, soul searching.
Well, I might know myself but…
Who the hell are the Purdue Boilermakers? This squad has over 80 newcomers, the majority of which have never donned the Old Gold ‘n Black. Complete blank slate. Probably a good thing, in a way. A fresh start for this team following a 1-11 season.
The good news is that there are actually adults in room in the year of our lord 2025. Gone are the days of a sizzle vs steak of a coach, as we enter the steak and potatoes era. Barry Odom has replaced the Ryan Walters Experiment Era, and looks to bring a level of discipline and competence to the program which has been absent the last several years. Odom has been a steady hand as a head coach. Thrown into the job at Mizzou, he went 25-25 for the SEC program. Following his stop there, Odom eventually became the head coach of UNLV where he went 19-8. Overall, Odom has a record of 44-33 (.750), with 4 bowl appearances as a head coach.
Joining him on the staff is Assitant Head Coach Cornell Ford, Offensive Coordinator Josh Henson, and Defensive Coordinator Mike Scherer.
Combined this trio brings several decades of experience in high-level college football, a breath of fresh air as compared to the previous season. Look for this team to be more disciplined, better led, and more fine-tuned now that there are competent coaches in the driver’s seat.
What About The Players?:
Dude, I don’t know. I know that you’re reading this article trying to find out whatever tidbits and morsels of info about this team that you can get. I have failed you. I am sorry. When the entire roster has been revamped, it has become really difficult to know who is on the roster, let alone who is going to be a star of this team. Also, Barry Odom has played personnel information close to the vest. That, in itself, is a change of pace. Here are 4 people to keep your eye on stemming from reports about fall camp:
- Devin Mockobee: The Senior RB has continued to be as solid as can be. Coming off of a season in which he rushed for 968 yards, look for Mockobee to be the focal point of the offense, and break out for over 1000 yards.
- Ryan Browne: The Sophomore former Purdue starter, who then transferred to North Carolina for a cup of coffee with Bill Belichick, only to triumphantly return again before taking a snap in the ACC… has been named the starter of this team. The dual threat quarterback beat out a talented but unproven QB room to be the week 1 starter. Brown has a high ceiling, as evidenced by the Illinois game last season. Being young, and relatively inexperienced, however, could lead to some struggles.
- Tony Grimes: is a defensive back who had a rather unusual pathway to Purdue. 3 years playing as a standout for North Carolina, then one season as a standout under Odom at UNLV, how this dynamic corner has the opportunity to play his final season for the good guys.
- CJ Maddon: This Georgia transfer defensive end has all of the makings of a superstar. At 6’3″ 275lbs, look for him to be a rock on the defensive side of the ball.
There will be other standouts. Part of huge roster turnover is a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing that holes can be filled quickly, it is a curse because… unless you are tied into the program you have no idea who are going to be the standouts. Likewise, there are plenty of opportunities for players to be breakout stars, previously unknown. Opportunity is available, who will take it? Carpe diem. Seize the carp!
What is a successful season??
Vegas has the perfectly reasonable over/under win total at 3.5 games. With a couple of overmatched FCS teams early in the season, is 2 more victories too much to ask, to achieve an over? Who knows.
The sports writers have unanimously chosen Purdue to finish last in the B1G. I don’t blame them, because they had to name -someone-, and Ryan Walters more than earned that. The good news is that, I only remember the sports writers being correct about who is the worst team in the Big 10 preseason one single time. That year was 2024. The bad news is that team was also Purdue. Nowhere to go but up from here.
I think Barry Odom is the man for the job. He is smart, tough, and hopefully instills the discipline into the program that has been lacking the past couple years. So what makes the season successful?
For me, the bar is not extremely high. I want to see discipline. I want to see basic blocking and tackling. I want to see intensity. I want to see fight. Most importantly I want to see pride. Notice, this isn’t a win total. It is an eye test. Can you see visual representation that this team is has a pulse. Can you see improvement and intensity, or does the team roll over and die midway through the first quarter, down by 3 scores?
Barry Odom will put this team in position to provide everything that I want to see. There is talent on this roster. Some proven, some unproven. Odom will put these puzzle pieces together.
How does that relate to wins? Hell, I haven’t the slightest idea. To me, Purdue’s floor seems to be 2 wins. Their ceiling seems to be 6, and that will be a tall order against, again, one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Regardless, if Purdue puts a product out there that makes Boilermakers proud, they will have all the support in the world.
A Look Ahead:
Well, its time, folks! Purdue football is nigh! The Boilermakers have a nooner with Ball State on Saturday 8/30. If you can make it, show up and support these boys! If not, you can catch the game on Big Ten Network. Boilers open up as a 17.5 pt favorite.
I can’t wait! We are so back!
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