The 3-2-1: Time for Hudson Card to shine

Three things learned. Two questions. One bold statement. It’s time for the 3-2-1, a look at Purdue football.

Three things learned

1 – Hudson Card time!

This is his team, this is his time … at least that’s the hope for the fifth-year senior quarterback who began his career at Texas.

Card’s debut was solid in 2023, as he dealt with injury and adjusted to a new scheme. Now, he needs to take his game to another level.

“If you look at Hudson’s career and where he’s headed, last season was his first time being a full-time starter at the collegiate level at quarterback,” said Ryan Walters.

“You couple that with being in a brand-new system for the first time with a brand-new environment and all the things that go into it, you know, Year Two you generally see a big jump from an experience standpoint. I fully anticipate him having a big jump from Year One to Year Two in the program.”

It’s obvious that Purdue likely will go only as far as Card can carry it, as the offense likely will have to lead the way in 2024–at least early in the season as the defense finds its way.

2 – Sweet home, Indy

Since its inception in 2011, the Big Ten title game has been played in Indianapolis, and that won’t change for the near future.

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said on Tuesday that the league’s gala affair will remain in Nap Town through at least 2028.

In the new one-division, 18-team configuration, the title game will pit the No. 1 school vs. the No. 2 school.

“We’re really comfortable with the decision to stay with football here in Indianapolis in the next four seasons,” Petitti said. “We think it’s the right thing to do.”

As for the future beyond 2028? Don’t be shocked to see the title game move.

3 – Motivation

The preseason media polls have spoken. And, they don’t think highly of Purdue.

Cleveland.com is the official-unofficial poll, soliciting key Big Ten media members. And Walters’ second Boilermaker squad was picked to finish last. This comes on the heels of Purdue being tabbed last by Athlon and Phil Steele. Lindy’s is the lone preseason magazine that didn’t have Purdue in the basement, tabbing the Boilers 16th ahead of Illinois and Indiana.

“Obviously, as much as you try not to read things and the opinions of your program or yourself or your players, you still hear it, right?” said Walters at Big Ten media day. “If you’re not reading it, your folks are or your friends are or it gets back to you.

“I would be naive not to address it with the team and not talk about the elephant in the room. I did mention a large chip on the shoulder of everybody in that building. Eighteen out of 18 is a large reason why.”

Two questions

1 – Big Ten expansion on horizon?

While there seemingly always are rumblings of adding schools (Hello, Notre Dame and North Carolina!), the Big Ten apparently has no eminent desire to expand beyond the 18-school configuration it just recently reached with the additions of USC, UCLA, Oregon and Washington.

“We’re focused on the 18 right now,” said Petitti. “A lot of work had been done to integrate USC, UCLA. We started that work over immediately when we added Oregon and Washington. I think we’re really comfortable where we are.”

But, more growth seems likely. And, when that happens, the Big Ten would be wise to move away from the single-division configuration it’s in now, which makes playing for much beyond a middling bowl game almost impossible for about half of the conference.

Maybe one day, the Big Ten will splinter into three- or four-divisions and have its own eight-team playoff, pitting its winner vs. the winner of a similarly structured SEC in a national title game.

2 – Basketball question?

Yes, one was posed to Walters while he was on the dais, as the fever over Purdue’s run to the national championship game last season is still burning. Can Walters’ crew ride off those fumes?

“I think it gives a tangible example of what is attainable and what is possible at Purdue from an athletic standpoint,” said Walters.

“We got to see firsthand the run that they made and the type of production and success they have year in and year out. So, I think for our players and for our staff and for our community it shows you what is possible from an athletic standpoint in West Lafayette at Purdue University.”

One bold statement: Kydran Jenkins will lead Purdue in sacks, TFLs

Yes, Kydran Jenkins has moved from rush end to inside linebacker, but Jenkins said today he still will see plenty of action off the edge–especially on third downs. And he also said he’ll be used often as a blitzer.

Last year, Jenkins tied for third in the Big Ten in sacks (7.5) and tackles for loss (15.5). He’ll at least duplicate those numbers in 2024 and pace the squad in doing so.