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Notre Dame Football vs. Purdue: 3 things to watch in Week 3

By Brad Weiss

Sep 11, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Jack Coan (17) runs on to the field as quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) leaves the field in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Jack Coan (17) runs on to the field as quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) leaves the field in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis (5) evades Oregon State offensive lineman Joshua Gray (67) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.If Purdue Vs Oregon State
Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis (5) evades Oregon State offensive lineman Joshua Gray (67) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette.If Purdue Vs Oregon State /

Notre Dame Football vs. Purdue: 3 things to watching Week 3

Can the offensive line succeed against a tough Purdue pass rush

The offensive line is a big question mark going into this one, as they are very banged up, and we still do not know who the left tackle will be. That will either be Michael Carmody or Tosh Baker, but either way, they will be tasked with taking on a tremendous pass rusher in George Karlaftis, who has 9. 5 sacks in his college career.

After racking up 7.5 sacks as a true freshman in 2019, Karlaftis missed a lot of time due to COVID last season and has still yet to get one this year. That is likely to change against this Irish offensive line, one who has been pushed around consistently by the likes of Florida State and Toledo across the first two games.

For the Irish to get anything going on offense, either Coan or Buchner needs time to throw, as they have been under distress every time they drop back it seems through the first two weeks. If the offensive line steps up and can keep Karlaftis’s impact to a minimum, you have to like their chances of winning this game.

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