I don't know. I am too old to be watching this team struggle against middling programs and get flat out owned by the elite teams. If our defense can't handle Temple or Purdue, I really shudder to think what Oklahoma or even ASU are going to do to us. Forget Stanford, hell, forget USC, who has more than enough talent on offense to embarass this group. Although it looks like the D has settled in a bit, this game should have been a chance to get back into the thick of things with a dominating performance. If and right now thats a big if we get back in this game, I see another 20-17 type nail biter. And we can watch Purdue struggle the rest of the season, like we got to watch Mich do this week.
I don't know, when ND rushes three on third and long and with dropping 8 they can't fill in passing lanes, I don't hold much hope for this team stopping anybody.
The most telling comment I've heard from the broadcast booth is that Purdue does not respect the deep ball against us, meaning they know Rees can't stretch the field. Thats why they are pressing. How many of those dink and dunk passes nearly got picked off, broken up, etc. Also, Hazell saying that they recognized our looks on offense (read, we're predictable). I thnk we'll see what kind of coach Kelly is based on the second half.