Analysis of the Enemy: Purdue

What: Purdue Boilermakers @ The Ohio State University Buckeyes

When: Saturday, October 23rd; 12:00 p.m. EST.

Where: Along the Olentangy

Television: Big Ten Network

Weather Forecast: High- 72 degrees; Low- 56 degrees; 20% chance of precipitation

Purdue's Record: 4-2

I'm reconfiguring the format of these previews a little bit, focusing more on the big picture production standpoints of the offense and defense than the minute details of the specific units. I realize that no one really cares who Purdue's middle linebacker is (Joe Holland, by the way), or how tall their boundary corner is. So I've trimmed the fat a bit, and what remains is a shorter but hopefully more informative look at the opponent. Enjoy!

Purdue's Chart

Offense

Purdue's offense has really struggled this season, especially after losing starting quarterback Robert Marve to a season-ending injury and having to replace him with redshirt freshman quarterback Rob Henry. Purdue offensive coordinator Gary Nord has completely retooled the offense to fit the freshman's ability, going away from the pass-happy spread of last season to a running/option attack that allows them to utilize Henry's natural athletic ability while protecting him with a simple passing game. The offense has not been pouring on the points, but has done well enough to move Rob Henry to 2-0 as a starter, with both wins coming against Big Ten competition.

Much has been written by Smart Footballl about the specifics of the new makeshift Purdue offense, but for those who want the distilled version, here are the basics:

1. Purdue has largely kept the same personnel and formations groupings in the transition, so expect similar formations to what you saw last season.

2. But the difference comes in what happens after the snap; Purdue has begun running more traditional zone read and defensive tackle zone read plays as a means to compensate for the loss of the passing threat.

The defensive tackle zone read plays are exactly what they sound like. Instead of optioning off of the "C" gap player (most often a defensive end), the quarterback will read an interior linemen while the defensive end is blocked. Ohio State faced this tactic against Oregon last season (Masoli's touchdown run), so the coaches and players are already well aware of it.

The trick in defeating this unique option is in preparation and recognition. The defensive tackle must be aware, and must be instructed during the week, of how the defense will be defending the play, and he must then recognize when he is being read and apply the correct technique. For instance, Jim Heacock may instruct the interior of the line to attack the mesh point between the quarterback and tailback, or, more likely, he will instruct him to automatically engage the tailback in order to force the ball into the hands of the less dangerous Rob Henry.

Ohio State's defense is not the only group in the Big Ten suffering from injuries, as the Purdue offense has been absolutely decimated. Previously mentioned Robert Marve is gone for the year, along with starting tailback Ralph  Bolden and number one receiver Keith Smith, who was the Boilermaker's leading receiver against Ohio State last season.

Defense

Purdue's raw yardage number has them as the 41st best defense in the country, but one look at the opponent adjusted S&P+ category reveals the story beneath the surface. The Boilermaker's have benefited greatly from a weak early schedule, with their toughest offensive opponent being Notre Dame (23rd offensive S&P+.)  With this slate of weak competition, it is a little bit difficult to ascertain how good the Purdue defense actually is- are they actually good yet just haven't been able to showcase it against tough competition?

If they are to prove that they are underrated this weekend, it will come on the backs of their defensive line, and more specifically, super-freak defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. Kerrigan has personally made it a mission to devastate Ohio State's offensive line the past two seasons, racking up five sacks (!) and two forced fumbles (!) in just two games. It might be a good idea for someone to block Mr. Kerrigan this Saturday. In fact, it might be a good idea for two people to block him, just in case.

Purdue plays a 4-3 defense, and last season against Ohio State they essentially mirrored the Wisconsin defensive gameplan of a week before. While the specific schemes are very different, I expect the same strategy to play itself out this weekend considering how well it worked out for them a year ago. That means you can expect Purdue to play forms of two deep zone coverage with their defensive backs, and to be primarily concerned with the pass before the run. Ohio State's response should be their second half strategy against Wisconsin: 21 personnel (2 back, 1 big) with a focus on running the ball and controlling the game.

A key issue with the loss to Purdue last season was forcing an offensive gameplan against the Boilermakers that had no answer to Purdue's defensive scheme. That should not be an issue this season as the Buckeye offense is varied enough structurally to respond to whatever the opponent throws at them, but it is important, of course, to not fall behind three scores before responding offensively.

Special Teams

I write this portion with a morbid tepidity over what the next act will be in the house of horrors that is Ohio State special teams coverage this season. At the least, Purdue is a case study in how bad the special teams coverage can get, as the Boilermakers have struggled immensely in returns so far. They are 117th in the nation in average kickoff return yards per game, and 118th in average punt return yards per game. If we can't cover these guys, I really don't know what to say.

Overview

There should be no hangover effect from losing to Wisconsin last weekend. The Buckeyes are in the thick of it in the Big Ten title race, and a national championship berth is still not out of the cards. What the team absolutely can't afford to do is feel sorry for themselves and take Purdue lightly. They only need look back one year to see the effect of not adequately preparing for a supposedly inferior opponent.

Purdue is hobbling a bit right now, but they've shown a certain tenacity in stringing together two Big Ten victories in a row. Head coach Danny Hope has last season's success against Ohio State to point to as motivation, so there should be no intimidation factor on the part of the Boilermakers.

If Purdue does as I expect and opens up the game by mimicking the Wisconsin defensive gameplan, the Buckeyes should not waste time attempting to throw against the two deep coverages. Run the ball and force Purdue to react to your success on the ground. Then the Buckeyes can control how Purdue plays them defensively, and thus open up the passing game for Terrelle Pryor.

And, for God's sake, please do your job on special teams.