Purdue Football: Weaponizing Jalen Graham

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty ImagesPurdue’s defense has been bad.

In fact, bad isn’t sufficient to describe the train wreck overseen by Nick Holt this season. There are plenty of excuses (and valid reasons) why the defense has struggled, but it started bad against Nevada and has continued to be bad throughout. Injuries have played a role, but so has a tired scheme and predictable play calling.

I’m spoiled. I get to watch Brent Venables coach the Clemson defense, and there is always something new to appreciate. He’s sending safeties from all over the field. He’s playing 3, 4, and 5 man fronts on the same drive. He mixes and matches personnel all game. Any team that’s reliant on pre-snap…