First and 10: Purdue at Wisconsin

As we start the week, 10 items of interest as the Boilermakers travel to Wisconsin on Saturday (noon, BTN) at Camp Randall Stadium:

• The announcement wasn’t a big surprise, but Ryan Walters made a necessary change, relieving Graham Harrell of his duties as offensive coordinator. The “Air Raid” production against FB programs this season was lacking. The passing game hasn’t found a rhythm. The running game looks good one week, but not the next. Maybe a new voice and approach will help, but Walters can’t just scrap the playbook four games into the season and expect explosive plays. The personnel remains the same. Receivers can’t consistently create separation against more talented teams. Hudson Card has been under duress and lacked sharpness the last three weeks. The change will likely give the offense a short-term boost, but the long-term impact remains to be seen.

• What does Purdue do well on offense? What’s the best offensive play against FBS competition? Not a lot to choose from in the last three games. The new OC, who will likely come from inside the program, must identify the strengths and lean on those plays and schemes. There are bound to be tweaks. And whatever changes are made must take hold quickly since the margin for error has dwindled because of the 1-3 start.

• Card has a streak of his own. He’s thrown a pick-six in three straight games. The interception against Oregon State was a fluke, but still counts. The Badgers have just two interceptions this season.

MORE: Offensive coordinator Graham Harrell let go | Three thoughts from the weekend

• The changes on defense seemed to work against Nebraska. Moving Dillon Thieneman closer to the line of scrimmage gives the sophomore a chance to factor into more plays. Putting Kydran Jenkins back on the edge is helpful, but the senior dropped into pass coverage or was spying quarterback Dylan Raiola instead of trying to sack him. The Boilermakers need more pressure on the quarterback.

• The status of Jenkins is worth watching, but all signs point to one of the team’s best defensive players being available for Saturday. Jenkins left the loss to the Huskers and didn’t return.

• Not much to say about the losing streak to Wisconsin. It’s reached 17 consecutive games. The Badgers have outscored the Boilermakers 606-268 during the streak. Purdue is 0-8 at Camp Randall since its last win in 2003. The numbers are depressing from the Boilermakers’ standpoint.

• Wisconsin appears vulnerable, but there have been other years when Purdue couldn’t take advantage of a suspect Badgers team. In assessing the season through four games, the Badgers are closer to the Western Michigan and South Dakota games compared to losing to Alabama and USC. Wisconsin didn’t run away from its first two opponents, but it also doesn’t feature the same quarterback. Tyler Van Dyke was injured in the third game and replaced by Braedyn Locke, who has completed 50% of his passes. The running game hasn’t broken 200 yards but has surpassed the 100-yard mark in each game. Chez Mellusi is a familiar name after the sixth-year running back totaled 149 yards on 27 carries against the Boilermakers in 2021. Oklahoma transfer Tawee Carter and Cade Yacamelli will also factor into the mix.

• The weekly reminder – no takeaways through four games. Purdue is the only program in the country that hasn’t forced a turnover.

• The penalties were an eyesore in the loss to the Huskers. It’s the second time the Boilermakers committed double-digit penalties this season. Purdue has nine more accepted penalties than its opponents.

• Will the Boilermakers carry the favorites role into a game this season? They’re double-digit underdogs for the second straight week. After Saturday, Illinois and Oregon will be heavy favorites, and Ohio State, Penn State, and Indiana are still on the schedule. Maybe Michigan State, but that’s a long way off. Depending on how things play out, Purdue might be favored against Northwestern on Nov. 2 at Ross-Ade Stadium.

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