Another Big Ten road trip takes No. 1 Ohio State to West Lafayette for a matchup against the Purdue Boilermakers.
Historically, Ross-Ade Stadium is kind to the home team when the Buckeyes come to town. Ohio State is actually below .500 (4-5) in West Lafayette this century. Ryan Day’s team is ready to flip the script on Saturday as the No. 1-ranked Buckeyes enter as a well-oiled machine.
Defensively, Matt Patricia’s unit is surrendering 6.9 points per game, only giving up 55 so far this season. The Buckeyes have more wins (8) than touchdowns scored on them (6). Today’s date is November 8th, for reference. The Silver Bulletin’s staff lists their predictions for the contest below, as all predict Ohio State to win and cover.
Dave: Ohio State 38 Purdue 10
Blake: Ohio State’s second-half performance against Penn State will propel the Buckeyes again today on the road in West Lafayette. Purdue is an improving team, and Barry Odom’s teams always have a solid and sound defense. However, Ohio State’s offense will be too overpowering. The Boilermakers will also struggle to move the ball as Ohio State will hold its third straight opponent to 200 yards or less. Ohio State 42 Purdue 3
Dan: Purdue, unfortunately, isn’t in the same stratosphere as the Buckeyes. Ohio State pounds the rock in this one and focuses on refining the run game. Bo Jackson breaks at least one 40-yard run. Although the Purdue defense is decent, it will crack after being forced to be on the field constantly. Ohio State’s defense swarms the dull Purdue offense and pitches another shutout. Buckeyes roll 35-0.
Cass: Purdue and Ohio State is a game where there is probably a dead atmosphere! However, I think the Buckeyes don’t take the Boilers lightly. I think the Buckeyes get 200 yards rushing as a team, and the Buckeyes win big. Ohio State 42 Purdue 0
Carson H: This should be a similar game to others that the Buckeyes have played and could be comparable to the Wisconsin game in some ways. Purdue and Wisconsin are both winless in conference play, along with Penn State and Michigan State, and this could be a game where Purdue struggles to move the ball in either phase of the offense.
This Buckeyes defense has been one of the most dominant of the century, and has gotten up for every game regardless of the opponent. I could definitely see a turnover or two in this one for the Purdue offense, especially when playing from behind. I think the secondary will try to stay busy, and Caleb Downs will come up and make plays with the linebackers.
As for the offense, this is also one of the best units in the country, especially in the passing game. The training wheels have slowly come off of Julian Sayin, and he’s proving that he probably never needed them. Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate should both get their targets, and Max Klare could find the endzone, as it’s a homecoming game for the tight end. It will be interesting to see how the carries are split up in the ground game against a defensive line that just gave up a lot of yards to one running back.
The money line for Ohio State is currently at -20000, with the spread opening at -26.5 and now at -29.5. The over/under total is at 48.5, with a lot of money coming in on the Buckeyes. It’s hard not to think they will win by 30+ against a team that hasn’t won a game since September 6th. Ryan Day, Matt Patricia, and Brian Hartline will put their stars in the best positions to go out and succeed, and Ohio State will roll before heading back to Columbus for its next two games. Ohio State 38 Purdue 6
TJ: Buckeyes put up major numbers, and the Heisman campaigns continue for both Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith. Defense will be flying around and making plays. Ultimately, the Buckeyes just have too much talent for Purdue to hang with. Ohio State 49-3
AJ: Ohio State 50 Purdue 0
Alex: Ohio State 49 Purdue 3
