Why Oregon’s Biggest Challenge At Purdue Is Moving On From Ohio State
By SPENCER McLAUGHLIN
Contributor, 750 The Game
I imagine I’m not the only Duck fan still thinking about what transpired on Saturday night at Autzen Stadium. A game that was much-hyped lived up to the billing and gave over 60,000 fans a memory they’ll never forget at that magical palace of college football.
‘Ducks vs Them’ was, as usual, pure cinema that will be frequently viewed on a repeated basis for those in the Eugene area. Again, I am among them.
Dan Lanning is 6-0 and ranked #2 in the country behind Texas, who could lose this week to Georgia and propel the Ducks to the top ranking in all the land. But first they have to get by Purdue on Friday night. In West Lafayette. On a short week. After the Ohio State game.
Do those ingredients sound like the classic elements of a trap/emotional letdown game? That’s because they are. Purdue has been a house of horrors for highly-ranked teams many times over the years, even during seasons in which they’re not a great team. And this Boilermakers team is…not a great team.
Notre Dame thumped them 66-7. Oregon State (when their defensive line was healthy) took care of them in Corvallis as well by over 2 touchdowns–the same field where Oregon walked in and thumped the Beavs 49-14.
Is this the same Purdue team with Ryan Browne at quarterback? Maybe not. They scored 49 points last week in an upset bit at Illinois that needed one 2-point conversion to win after trailing 27-3. Browne made some really nice throws and showed a rushing ability that Hudson Card doesn’t have. He can keep plays alive and Oregon fans should prepare for him to convert some 3rd and 6 situations with his scrambling ability.
Which brings us to Oregon, fresh off a progrum-defining win under Dan Lanning. Can they focus on the task at hand and not get caught up in those singing their praises? Dan Lanning spoke in the postgame locker room celebration that nobody stops improving in October. Ohio State was a great victory but the Ducks have to remember their ultimate goal is in January.
Purdue’s defense has struggled mightily this year, allowing over 450 yards per game and 39 points per contest. Contrast that with an Oregon offense that just scored 32 points–while leaving points on the board–against one of the best defenses in the country. That results in a mismatch on paper and the Ducks being a 27.5 point favorite on the road.
It’s the longest road trip Oregon has made this season, on a short week after a physical football game. If Dan Lanning has his team fully ready and they jump on the Boilermakers, that will be more impressive than the country might give it credit for against a 1-5 Purdue team who’s yet to beat an FBS opponent.
Dillon Gabriel was sublime last week against the Buckeyes, and might not need to be a hero this week. Purdue has struggled to stop the run and Oregon has shown itself capable of sustaining drives by feeding the ball to Jordan James behind a stout offensive line.
Maybe it’ll be in the 2nd half after Oregon already has a big lead, maybe it will be a sluggish start given the factors I’ve discussed. I imagine despite the talent gap there will be a stretch of this game where Oregon fans aren’t amazed with what’s happening on the field.
PREDICTION:
Oregon 34, Purdue 7
Spencer McLaughlin is an Oregon Ducks football contributor to 750 The Game. He also hosts the “Locked On Oregon Ducks” and “Locked On College Football” podcasts and has work featured throughout the season here.