First and 10: Oregon at Purdue

As we start the week, 10 items of interest as the Boilermakers host No. 2 Oregon on Friday (8 p.m., ET, Fox) at Ross-Ade Stadium:

• A short week, coming off an emotional and important victory over Ohio State could play into Purdue’s favor. The Ducks knocked off Ohio State on Saturday night thanks to a late field goal and now must travel three time zones to face the Boilermakers, who have lost five straight. It’s the highest ranking for Oregon since the end of the 2014 season when it was also No. 2. If the Boilermakers start fast, maybe they could stage an ambush.

• Ryan Browne or Hudson Card? Which quarterback does Ryan Walters start this week? If Card is available, does Walters play the veteran, stick with the walk-on, or play both? Browne was impressive against the Fighting Illini, especially in the second half, leading the offense on five straight scoring drives to end the game. Illinois couldn’t figure out how to slow down Browne. But the Ducks aren’t the Illini when it comes to personnel. Oregon will have more time to study Browne, but Walters should force the Ducks to prepare for both quarterbacks.

• Browne’s numbers were impressive. One area that stood out was Browne’s success on first and second down. He threw for 246 yards on the early downs, helping the Boilermakers limit third-down situations, a glaring problem this season. Browne’s three TD passes came on first down. His last nine completions were on first or second down.

MORE: First look: Oregon | Big picture: Mixed feelings after near miss at Illinois

• The other question – will Walters continue to call the offensive plays? The Boilermakers showed different formations, the play-calls were a little more creative, and they found a rhythm and stayed with what was working. Granted, Walters knew the Illini’s scheme and used that to his advantage, but the Ducks are an unfamiliar opponent. In the end, the execution in the second half was better than the previous four games combined, and that’s why the offense excelled.

• The defense, though, continues to struggle overall. Back-to-back games of Wisconsin and Illinois scoring 50 points or more. Purdue has allowed at least 400 total yards in five straight games, including over 350 passing yards in the last two weeks. The Boilermakers are giving up 7.39 yards per play against FBS teams, and the Ducks are averaging 6.98 yards per play. Purdue had some moments against the Illini, but not enough. If Oregon starts attacking the edge – an area the Boilermakers haven’t completely figured out – this fast-paced offense will likely run away and hide.

• The second half of the season starts Friday. Here are five quick questions:

• Who’s the quarterback?
• Can Devin Mockobee or Browne string together more 100-yard rushing performances?
• Does tight end Max Klare continue to lead the team in receptions?
• How will the defense fare against the top four offenses in the Big Ten (Oregon, Ohio State, Penn State, and Indiana)?
• Are there more takeaways in the next six games?

• You knew it was coming. That’s why the first half of the season was important to collect some victories. That hasn’t happened, and the margin for error is over. The Boilermakers will play three teams currently ranked in the top four in the next five weeks.

• Against Notre Dame, Oregon State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin, the defense totaled five sacks. The Boilermakers had five against the Illini, a significant step forward. Kydran Jenkins, Nyland Green, Will Heldt, and Jireh Ojata contributed. They must take it up a notch against Dillon Gabriel, who transferred from Oklahoma in the offseason. The sixth-year quarterback doesn’t hold the ball long and features a quick release. His accuracy is solid, completing 76.1% of his passes – the top mark among Big Ten quarterbacks – and has at least two TD passes in nine straight games, including his last three with the Sooners. Gabriel has been intercepted three times – all in the red zone. He also leads the conference in total offense.

• Will the Boilermakers avoid falling behind by double digits for the sixth straight game?

• Friday isn’t Oregon’s first trip to West Lafayette. The Ducks played at Ross-Ade Stadium in 2008, the first game of a home-and-home series between the programs. The series was hatched because of the relationship between former Purdue coach Joe Tiller and former Oregon athletic director Bill Moos, who played offensive line for Tiller at Washington State. By the time the first game was played, Moos had left Oregon, and Tiller was in his final season with the Boilermakers. The Ducks won both games by a combined eight points.

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