Weak Purdue pass defense could be a key for Buckeyes
Here are three keys for No. 3 Ohio State at Purdue on Saturday:
Get on schedule
The Buckeyes are too often falling behind schedule on drives, picking up minimal yards on first and second downs that result in third and long situations. They faced an average distance of just over 7 yards against Maryland and Notre Dame, and without more favorable conditions, they are going to have more issues moving the chains. Ohio State had its shortest third-down distance to go (4.6 yards) when it scored a season-high 63 points against Western Kentucky.
Prepare for tempo
With Graham Harrell, an Air Raid disciple and former quarterback for Mike Leach at Texas Tech, as offensive coordinator, Purdue is still going up tempo as it did throughout Jeff Brohm’s tenure. The Boilermakers are averaging 73 plays per game, the second-fastest pace in the Big Ten this season behind Penn State. The Buckeyes handled another pass attack from the Hilltoppers, but the challenge remains against an offense that has run as many as 80 plays twice this fall.
Bring pressure
Purdue is susceptible to pressure. Hudson Card, the transfer quarterback from Texas, has been under pressure on 86 dropbacks this season, the secondmost among passers in the conference, according to data from Pro Football Focus, and it’s difficult for him to avoid sacks in those moments. Card’s pressure-to-sack rate is 15.1%.
Key matchup
Ohio State passing offense vs. Purdue passing defense
Issues running the ball should be enough for Ohio State to air it out more often moving forward. If not, Purdue’s pass defense should be reason enough. The Boilermakers rank 94th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in explosive passing plays allowed, according to collegefootballdata.com, and have surrendered 22 passes of at least 20 yards. Only 24 out of the 133 teams in the FBS have given up more this fall. Kyle Mccord, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Co. should have plenty of opportunities.
Key stat
3: Losses by Ohio State over its last four trips to West Lafayette, its sole win in the span in 2013.