Football Game Played, Score Recorded
Online sports betting went active in Indiana on Friday; one day later, the Boilers covered against Penn State, in perhaps a prime example of why betting on the actions of groups of teenagers and young adults is a fool’s game.
Purdue didn’t win, not that anyone thought they would; even Rabbit, in his euphoric preseason throes, expected this and Wisconsin to be losses, and that was at full strength. As it was, the Boilers did well to play the hosts 7-14 over the last three quarters, which probably counts for something … and in games like these, during seasons like these, it really does. The coaching staff is watching for guys who are giving 100% in a lost cause and guys who are just going through the motions: the former group will be starting next year and the latter, if there are any, won’t be seeing the field much.
What they’re probably not doing is taking much from the game itself. Penn State did a lot of things well and also did not do a lot of things well. Purdue … let’s move on.
Next up
It’s homecoming, which means an ACC opponent … oh, right. Maryland comes to town - the Terrapins have played three very good games against terrible teams, one bad game against a bad team that is not coached by Manny Diaz, and one terrible game against a good team, the one you might have recognized from Purdue’s game today.
Purdue likely has a chance to win, but what kind of chance is hard to say until the injury report comes out later this week. We know Sindelar will be out for a while, perhaps the entire season (a sixth year isn’t out of the question, should he and Brohm want to pursue one). We don’t know about Rondale. Maybe the Good Guys can win without him? Maybe they’ll have him as part of a win? Who knows?
Boilerdowd and I will reprise our roles as anguished fans in the stands, waiting patiently for a win. Might be next Saturday. Might not be. That’s OK. We’ve got some time.
Feature photo courtesy of Purdue Athletics, taken by Chris Johnson or Mitch Eavey; props to them for making the trip and taking some really good pictures
