First Look: Louisville
Get ready for Purdue's season opener vs. Louisville on Saturday in Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.
Heisman Trophy winner highlights roster
Quarterback Lamar Jackson is the player that makes the Cardinals go. He's as dangerous with his feet (1,571 yards, 21 touchdowns) as with his arm (3,543 yards, 30 TDs) — and both are significant weapons. That combination helped him win the Heisman last season, but Coach Bobby Petrino added another facet for defenses to contend with this season: Jackson won't exclusively be in shotgun in 2017. So, now, it'll add more versatility to the offense, while also preparing Jackson for the NFL.
It marks just the second time in school history (Archie Griffin, Ohio State, 1975) that Purdue has faced a returning Heisman Trophy winner.
Purdue is a big-time underdog
No surprises here, but Louisville is a heavy favorite. Not sure if Vegas is accounting for the uncertainty of David Blough's status, but the Boilermakers find themselves a 26.5-point underdog. It's is the biggest opening-game spread we can find, and maybe ever for the program. The last time the Boilermakers were a two-touchdown underdog (or more) and prevailed? It was it their 26-18 win over No. 7 Ohio State on Oct. 17, 2009, Danny Hope's first season at Purdue. OSU was a 14-point pick in that one.
The Cardinals are more than Lamar Jackson
The defense suffered graduation losses, especially on the defensive front seven, but have four seniors across the line and three of four seniors in the secondary. The Cardinals, ultimately, are expected to have very good defense in 2017 due to a strengthened secondary, led by standout Jaire Alexander, the only non-senior projected starter. Also, those close to the program feel like the offensive line is improved from a weak finish to last year, and that could help the Cardinals balance out their attack.
Louisville's ground game is deep
In addition to Jackson, the Cardinals will use at least two backs in its rotation. Reggie Bonnafon is expected to start, but Malik Williams has drawn much praise from Bobby Petrino and should play a big role. Senior Jeremy Smith is coming off an injury and it a wild card, but could also play a factor.
The Cardinals have much to prove
Possibly more than any other team in the FBS, the Cardinals are a bit of an enigma. They lost their last three games in 2016, and Jackson limped, if there is such a thing, into the Heisman Trophy. The fans are thinking this is a team that can contend for the College Football Playoff, but it had better reverse course from the end of a 2016 season when it was limited to just 10 points in a loss at Houston and nine in its bowl loss to LSU.
Jeff Brohm on Cardinals
"Well, that's the top question for sure," Brohm said, when asked about trying to contain Jackson. "That's going to really decide whether we have a chance to win or not, if we can somehow contain him. I think Lamar is an unbelievable talent. He deserved to win the Heisman last year, and he should be the front-runner for it this year. He's a guy that can really change the outcome of the game in one play. He's extremely dynamic. He works extremely hard as a team player. He's gotten better at the quarterback position, but where he's really a danger is with his feet.
"So we've got to find a way to make sure it happens. To answer your question, we think we have a good plan together. Of course, we've watched a lot of video. We've seen the teams where he's ran all over and seen a few other teams that maybe have corralled him to a certain degree, and I think we have to do that.
"I think we need to give him different looks. You have to make sure you don't rush past the quarterback in a passing situation. You've got to make sure, when your quarterback is doing all the quarterback runs, which they do a heavy dose of it, you've got to know that he has a chance to have the ball. You've got to contain him. Your eyes always have to be on him. And while you want to take away the dive some, you've got to make sure that that quarterback cannot run wild."
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