The staff responds.
It’s that time of the week folks. I reach out to the staff and everyone sends me an answer to a topical question. This week is all about the aftermath of the Notre Dame debacle and how to move forward against Oregon State.
Purdue is coming off a huge loss against Notre Dame. What unit needs the most work before Saturday if Purdue is to have any hope of a victory?
Jumbo Heroes:
It’s hard not to say one of the lines. Both looked terrible during the game against Notre Dame. I guess the question then becomes, which was worse, allowing Notre Dame to run all over you to the tune of 66 points or only being able to muster 7 points including much of the second half against second or third stringers from Notre Dame? I think how you answer that question will tell you how you answer the first one. For me, the defensive line is the answer. They allowed Notre Dame to run all over the outside of the line of scrimmage with very little challenge at all. If Purdue can’t fix this problem against an Oregon State team who is much better at running the ball than throwing it, Purdue could be in for another rough day.
Ryan:
I’m doing my absolute best not to conflate Purdue football and the Chicago Bears but the offensive line is clearly in the most dire need of a boost. Caleb Williams, I mean Hudson Card, can be really effective when given time but that did not happen at all against Notre Dame. Oregon State appears to be a middle ground between ND and Indiana State. Time to see how Purdue fares against competition more akin to their level, and it starts in the offensive trenches.
Drew:
The offensive line has to improve. Oregon State watched the Notre Dame film, and that film says to blitz Purdue. They were awful last Saturday, can they be just regular bad on Saturday?
Jed:
Jed Wilkinson
Sep 18, 2024, 12:21 PM (19 hours ago)
to me
Sheesh, to only boil it down to one unit that needs work after whatever that was last Saturday is a challenge. Special Teams did a good job and transfer punter Keelan Crimmins was probably the player of the game but outside of that it was a whole basket of awful. On defense, the linebackers looked slow and unable to make plays in the open field while the defensive line was as pedestrian as I’ve ever seen from a Purdue unit. The offense was equally as atrocious with the offensive line unable to open up holes, Card unable to make plays, and the skill positions overwhelmed by the size and athletic ability of the Irish.
However, if I’m going to stick to the question as intended, I think it bares mentioning that the offensive line has to do a better job for Purdue to be competitive. I think the defense can move some things around, change up coverages, and get it figured out a bit but the offensive line simply can’t do that too much. There are playmakers at the skill positions, certainly more than there was last season, but it means nothing if Card doesn’t have time in the pocket and the running backs don’t have lanes to run through. Simply put, if the offensive line doesn’t become at least average, Purdue is going to get beaten again…and likely in embarrassing fashion.
Kyle:
The answer is really easy, the offensive line. The Notre Dame front line absolutely bullied the revamped group, and while Oregon State is not as talented on the defensive line as Oregon State, they still have a couple of pretty solid pass rushers.
If the Offensive Line shows improvement, then Purdue should be able to run the ball much better than what they have thus far this season. A solid run game is a quarterback’s best friend and Hudson Card is looking for his still.