10/20/2025 Boilermaker Water Cooler Chat: Checked Out Edition
Rants, ravings, and somewhat sensical opinions following the wild, wacky, and wide-wide world of Purdue sports.
I was born with that Midwest work ethic. Presuming you’re from God’s country, I presume you, fair reader, have the same work ethic. I am not saying that as a brag, its just a thing being from here.
Now, mind you, I am not some robot. I have an energy bar, like any video game boss fight. Eventually I run low on energy. The combination of 50 hours of my day job, hosting a prep football TV show on Fridays, covering the Boilermakers, all while being the best husband and dad imaginable… you get tired, sometimes.
You ever have one of those work weeks where, by the end, you are mentally checked out? You are going through the motions of getting your tasks done, but you’re burnt out. You are trying to succeed, but dammit you can’t get anything done. Yeah, that is me, as of the writing of this article.
It is only fair, however, that since the Purdue Football phoned one in on Saturday, then I can phone one in on Sunday. I am checked out, for this week. We’ll get ’em next week.
The Game:
Purdue 0, Northwestern 19
Purdue sleepwalked through the game, just like I am through this article. Got shut out by Northwestern, for the first time in several decades. Looked like they weren’t motivated, weren’t trying too hard. Ended up losing by 19, to a team that they could’ve beaten. Yawn.
Break It Down:
I haven’t expected much from this team. 3-4 wins and fighting hard. That is all that I wanted, all that I expected. To this point, Purdue has looked good, even in losses. They have fought, they have put in the effort. They looked miles better than last few seasons. At least until Saturday, that is. A Walters-esque performance, as Purdue squandered yet another winnable opportunity this season.
I am not thinking that this team should be ranked #2 in the nation and in position to be a playoff darling at this point in Odom’s tenure. I am, however, going to say that the eye test said that Purdue wasn’t giving a ton of effort against Northwestern. Effort is non-negotiable, and for the first time in Barry’s first season, effort seemed lacking.
What Went Well:
- 45.6: Yards per punt for Jack McCallister. Great job, young man!
Opportunities for Improvement:
- 3: Turnovers. Two lost fumbles and an INT.
- 3: Turnovers on downs, as Purdue couldn’t convert late.
- 11: Possessions which ended in either a turnover, turnover on downs, or a punt.
- 8: Penalties.
- 98: Yards in penalties.
- 0: Points
Big Man on Campus:
Due to popular demand, there will be no BMOC awarded this week. Coffee is for closers.
One Last Thing:
Purdue basketball is starting the season ranked #1 in the AP Poll. We have that going for us, which is nice. That has never happened in Purdue history. Lets hope that the Boilermakers can end the curse of being the preseason #1 team and not winning the national title. Regardless, Purdue plays a marquee exhibition game against Kentucky this Friday. Tickets are several thousand dollars, so if you’re anything like me, feel free to watch it on the SEC Network.
Of note, Purdue tends to lose these games, so keep your heads screwed on correctly, Boilermaker fans. Painter doesn’t show a ton, uses screwy lineups and substitution patterns, and generally wants to stoke chaos. Look at the last several years of history of these games. It doesn’t count, calm down. You’re fine.
A Look Ahead:
Purdue will take on Rutgers for a nooner on Saturday. Boilermakers are slight dogs on Saturday, which many are considering the final game of the season in which Purdue is expected to be competitive. Lets hope it is a victory… because November will not provide much opportunities on that front.
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