Purdue hasn't issued a depth chart each of the last two weeks. But, that won't stop us from assembling one. This is GoldandBlack.com's best guess at the Boilermakers' two-deep for Saturday's game at Northwestern.
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NOTES:
• Quarterback is a huge concern with walk-on O'Connell taking the reins. If he gets hurt, things would get very interesting. Is true freshman Piferi ready? Would Purdue use a wildcat QB? Fascinating.
• Depth at receiver remains perilous. And Jeff Brohm said Thursday that Bell and Anthrop would be a game-time decisions, casting more worry on the thin position. Jared Sparks is out. And you-know-who isn't likely to play. Could we see Mershawn Rice this week?
• The line has played better of late and seems to have settled into a consistent five-some of Hermanns, Stickford, Garvin, McCann and Bramel.
• Doerue is quietly coming on at running back. He has a bright future. Will we see more of Tario Fuller?
• The tight end duo of Hopkins and Durham is boffo.
NOTES:
• The line has been solid. The end tandem of Karlaftis and Barnes is underrated. Watts is the ultimate warrior.
• The linebacker spot has been a mish-mash all season. Thank god for Holt. Jones is out. That hurts. Oh, and Fakasiieiki is a game-time decision. Kieren Douglas is out.
• The secondary has gotten better and better. Plenty of depth. Allen has turned heads with his play. Ditto Trice, but Brohm says he's a game-time decision.
NOTES:
• Dellinger has been money.
• The punting has been by committee. Collins has been the guy of late, but he had two blocked last week. Held the ball too, said Brohm.
• The return game is a non-factor. That doesn't figure to change the rest of 2019.
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