Purdue faces the best defenses Phil Knight’s money could buy on Friday night.
Starters
Defensive Line
Defensive End / OLB
#1 – Jordan Burch – 6’6”, 295 – Sr.
or
#10 – Matayo Uiagalelei – 6’5”, 270 – So.
Nose Tackle
#90 – Jamaree Caldwell – 6’1”, 340 – Sr.
Defensive Tackle
#55 – Derrick Harmon – 6’5”, 310 – Jr.
Injury Notes
- Burch is questionable after missing the Ohio State game with an ankle injury. Even if he’s available, I expect Oregon to limit his snaps.
Notes
- Burch leads team in sacks (5) and tackles for loss (7)
- Uiagalelei is second on the team in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (5.5)
- Harmon leads defensive line in total tackles (22)
- Oregon starts 3 transfers on the defensive line
- Purdue has seen Harmon, a Michigan State transfer, before
Linebacker
Jack Linebacker (Outside Linebacker / Stand Up Defensive End)
#44 – Teitum Tuioti – 6’3”, 255 – So.
Mac Linebacker (Inside Linebacker)
#28 – Bryce Boettcher – 6’2”, 225 – Sr.
Money Linebacker (Inside Linebacker)
#26 – Devon Jackson – 6’2”, 230 – So.
Notes
- Boettcher leads team in tackles (33)
- Linebacker is the most inexperienced position group on the defense
- Oregon’s defensive system tends to only keep 2 linebackers on the field on most downs.
Defensive Backs
Field Cornerback
#9 – Nikko Reed – 5’10, 180 – Sr.
Strong Safety
#0 – Tysheem Johnson – 5’10”, 200 – Sr.
Free Safety
#5 – Kobe Savage – 5’11”, 205 – Sr.
Boundary Cornerback
#7 – Jabbar Muhammad – 5’10”, 185 – Sr.
Slot Corner
#3 – Brandon Johnson – 5’10”, 185 – Sr.
Notes
- Tysheem Johnson is 2nd on the team in tackles (27)
- Savage is 3rd on the team in tackles (26)
- Brandon Johnson is 4th on the team in tackles (23)
- Jabbar Muhammad leads team in passes defended (6)
- Johnson was All-Pac 12 First Team in 2023
- Savage was All-Big 12 Second Team in 2022
- Oregon starts all transfers in the secondary
Overall
This is a best defense Phil Knight’s money can buy. Dan Lanning, former Georgia defensive coordinator under Kirby Smart, is one of the sharpest defensive minds in the game. This isn’t the best defense for Ryan Browne to get his 2nd start of the season.
The defensive line, in particular is stacked beyond stacked. Burch, if he plays was a former 5* recruit out of South Carolina who originally played with the Gamecocks. Harmon, originally from Michigan State, was considered one of the top portal defensive linemen in 2024. Matayo Uiagalelei (DJ’s “little” brother) was a 5* recruit in 2023. Needless to say, running between the tackles is going to be an issue. Dropping back to pass will also be a challenge with what appeared to be a gimpy Corey Stewart lined up against one of the premier pass rushers in college football even if Burch doesn’t make the trip.
The linebackers, while solid, aren’t overly impressive, but they don’t have to be in Lanning’s system. Their job is to plug gaps and clean up tackles. They’re good in coverage and fast sideline-to-sideline. One possible place for Purdue to attack is at this level with Max Klare running drag routes in front of the linebackers.
Finally, the Ducks generally play 5 in the secondary with both safeties active in the run game. Kobe Savage is an interesting player in the back end. I covered him at Kansas State, and while a viscous hitter, can struggle with bigger receivers running down the seam. Purdue has a couple big receivers, but I’m not sure Browne will have enough time to find them before the defensive line smothers him.
Much like the Ducks on offense, Purdue is going to need an off game from Oregon. Let’s say their D game, paired with some luck. The defensive line is nightmare fuel, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see both Purdue quarterbacks, if for no other reason than to spread out the physical damage a little. I expect to see Purdue roll the quarterback away from Burch/Matayo and hope to find some easy throws on the boundary. Illinois, like Purdue, plays mostly man, Oregon will mix things up and make Browne read the game more the Illinois. He’ll need to be smart with the ball and see the defenders lurking in underneath zones.
Best Case Scenario:
Purdue finds some success running on the edges and Browne/Card pick up first downs with their legs and somehow find a way to push the ball down the field when Oregon starts to pull their safeties up.
I don’t think Purdue has much chance of success inside their offense, but both quarterbacks, in theory, can make plays outside the offense, outside the pocket, and on the run. The less time Purdue spends with the ball behind their offense line, the better. Browne has a chance on the outside, but he’ll get swarmed under if he hangs in the pocket.
Purdue’s best chance in this one might be bad airline food on the Oregon plane.