I’m tasked with writing the preview for this game, and I’m trying to think of something a little more useful, or at least fun to read.

Ohio State is going to beat Purdue on Saturday.

It’s going to be bad.

We already know this.

Previewing the different ways the Buckeye’s will dismantle Boilermakers isn’t something I want to write, and I doubt it’s something y’all want to read. Maybe I’m wrong, but I have some decent data to back up this theory.

Instead of focusing on the negative, I’m going to look at some things the Boilermakers can do on Saturday to make the game more entertaining. This will be the first article in a series.

Continue to Attack Downfield

This is tough, Ohio State can bring the heat without having to blitz, but Card does a pretty good job of getting passes off under pressure.

I liked the toughness and willingness to attack downfield on this play and would like to see them use C.J. Smith in a similar way against the Buckeyes. Physically, he matches up with the Ohio State corners.

We got a taste of why Smith was a portal priority for Purdue, and I want more.

There are no “reads” on this play. It’s designed to get C.J. Smith (green circle) the ball bust because Card has to let it go well before he’s “open”.

This is an easy pre-snap read for Hudson. As soon as the defender (green circle) starts following Smith across the formation, he knows where he’s going with the ball. I like this from the Purdue offense. They found a matchup they liked and went after it. That was a staple of Jeff Brohm’s offense during his time at West Lafayette. I assure you; Purdue wide receivers didn’t lead the Big 10 in receiving multiple times under Brohm because the QB happened to notice David Bell or Charlie Jones open. Brohm designs his routes to get a specific player open. Sometimes it’s about your guy making a play, and that can happen unless you put it up and give him a chance.

Purdue needs to find a way to create “chunk” plays on offense. They’re not good enough to sustain 10-12 play scoring drives without something catastrophic happening. One way to do that is with a double move. As you can see, Smith looks like he’s running an out to the sticks. He needs the defender to get close enough to make this a foot race when he turns this into an out and up.

Card isn’t looking anywhere else; this is the play. It either hits or it doesn’t. I saw this dynamic several times on Saturday, and I think it’s one reason Card played his best game of the season (he was the highest rated Big 10 quarterback last week according to Pro Football Focus).

When the line is struggling in pass protection, scanning the field and progressing through reads isn’t an option, and beyond that, it’s not something Card is particularly good at. There’s nothing to read on this play, it’s only a question of him throwing the ball before the linebacker cuts him in half.

Card has what he wants but has to throw this out to Smith (top right corner) without stepping into it because Northwestern is bringing both linebackers.

When I say Card has arm talent, this is what I mean, because this is all shoulder and wrist.

Notice at the top of the screen, Smith’s not exactly open, but Purdue brought him in because he makes plays. He’s an “if he’s even, he’s leaving” type of athlete and is going to outrun the vast majority of corners on this route. That’s been missing in this offense. Having Smith changed the passing game dynamics and gave Card a true downfield weapon, despite the Georgia transfer dealing with a soft tissue injury most of the game.

Card flings this out flat footed with the rush in his face and gets it 33 yards down the field. If he has any room to step into this throw, it might go the distance. Smith has his man beat down the sideline but has to come back for the ball.

This is a play that has victimized the Purdue defense all season. The coverage is good, but because the ball is short, the defender can’t find it. Smith has an opportunity on a similar play to open the game and dropped a much easier pass. This time he goes up, high points the ball and rips it away from the flailing defender.

Against Ohio State

As I mentioned above, Purdue needs chunk plays, and Ohio State will give them the opportunity to make plays against man coverage. When Card gets Smith in man coverage, he’s got to find him, and he’s got to let it go like he does on this play.

The Buckeye’s won’t give him time to make multiple decisions, it’s going to be about identifying targets before the snap, and hoping they get open. By the time he gets to the second read against Ohio State, he’ll have multiple 5* defensive linemen fighting over who gets to sack him first. He’s got to find the look he wants before the snap and the ball has to come out as soon as he hits his back foot.

That’s what happens on this play, and it provided Purdue with one of their best explosive plays of the season. Of course, it can also end up in an interception of Card makes the wrong read pre-snap in this situation, but that’s the gamble you have to take to stay in the game against Ohio State. Every second you hold the ball behind the line of scrimmage is one second closer to a strip sack.