These are good questions. All we know is that historically CGP's teams improve maybe more than some as the season goes along and he always saves something for the big games.
Good questions, but I believe it is both. We are good and Purdue really isn't. Also agree we will improve and we'll see things in big games this season, for example, Texas, that we haven't seen in games yet. Regarding the drops...it's a difficult equation. In practice there are few drops because receivers know they are not going to get hit. The receivers can see the ball coming and they can position themselves and keep eyes on the ball into their hands. There's plenty of time for these behaviors in practice. The coaches now seldom, if ever, allow full on defense and hitting in practices to reduce injuries and encourage the good receiving behaviors. Unfortunately, in games the receivers are going to be in situations where they cannot see the ball coming, can't position themselves, and keep eyes on the ball into their hands. There isn't time for those behaviors in games and the receivers know they are going to get hit. What can a coach do? They have to continue to have no hitting in practices to reduce injuries and continue to encourage the good behaviors. Maybe, later in the season, before the big games, they can introduce hitting in practices. In the end, the coaches have to rely on the receivers to figure it out. The receivers have to be willing to take the risk of catching and securing the ball in games and balance that against the near certainty of being hit and possibly injured. And, let's all keep in mind, these are young men still at the beginning of their lives and potential football careers. A devastating injury can quickly end everything. It's a tough issue in college football. All the coaches can do, really, is recruit kids they believe have football smarts and mental toughness and then hope that allows them to figure it out.