I will be SHOCKED if we could run the ball as well as we did last year for a number of reasons. First, we were a passing team. We never showed any interest in running the ball. You also have to consider our personnel last year. We had unproven running backs. Wood and Gray were frankly big question marks last year. Our biggest weapon was Floyd. So it was understandable that Purdue's gameplan centered around playing the pass and forcing us to prove to them that we could run the ball. We obviously did.
I have no doubt that Purdue's primary objective will be to make Golson beat them with the pass. In the first and second quarter, I think we will see a lot of 8-9 man fronts and a good number of run blitzes. Game will be in Golson's hands. He will need to hit some intermediate to deep passes to keep their defense honest. If he struggles, Purdue will continue to play the run until Golson makes enough plays to warrant an adjustment. I think Golson will do enough to ease the pressure off of our running game. Coaches must stick with the running game.
Defensively, I think we are going to give up a good number of yards. I hope we are able to generate a pass rush or it will be a long day...but I think we will generate a pass rush. I think Ishaq is ready to have a breakout game. This maybe the game. Secondary is going to be a cross your fingers and hope.
I have no idea if this will be a close game or a blow out. There are so many unknowns in this game that it feels like the first game of the year all over again.
