The Buckeyes are matching up against Purdue on Saturday as big favorites after a win over then No. 3 Penn State on Nov. 2. Now Ohio State is hoping to make sure they don’t get caught up looking ahead against a Boilermaker team that Ryan Day is giving a lot of respect to despite its record.
Here’s how the Buckeye Sports Bulletin staff sees this game going:
Patrick Engels: OSU Keeps Things Rolling Against Boilers
Apologies to any Purdue fans, but there isn’t much to predict in this one. Barring any unforeseen catastrophe by Ohio State that would cause heads to explode all throughout Ohio, the Buckeyes will likely roll right through sputtering 1-7 Purdue when in Ohio Stadium Saturday afternoon, allowing Ohio State to keep the positive momentum going as it enters the tail-end of its 2024 schedule.
Anybody who has watched college football this year knows this will *likely* be a beatdown, but the game still could provide Buckeye fans with some interesting things to talk about following the game. After flexing their muscles against Penn State, Ohio State’s new-look offensive line will have another opportunity to dominate against a struggling Purdue defensive front, one which ranks among the nation’s worst in rushing defense.
With this in mind, I expect Chip Kelly to run right over the Boilermakers and once again play a physical brand of football. This might be the game where both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins run for over 100 yards and a score a piece.
I also expect Will Howard and Ohio State’s pass catchers to keep the momentum going and have an effortless day out there. If Jeremiah Smith, Emeka Egbuka and others can produce against Penn State and Oregon, they should be in for a big day at the Horseshoe.
I’m also looking to see if Ohio State can get close to a shutout here. Purdue’s passing offense is in flux with defensive-minded coach Ryan Walters calling plays and Hudson Card in at quarterback, so the Buckeyes defensive backs should be able to put together a stellar game in that aspect. The run game may present the only challenge for Ohio State’s defense, as Devin Mockobee is a stud, but if the Buckeyes can neutralize Kaleb Johnson, they can do the same for Mockobee.
I’m obviously projecting a wire-to-wire blowout win for Ohio State, but I am looking forward to seeing some of the reserves get in for the first time since the Michigan State game. I think we’ll see Devin Brown play most of the third and Julian Sayin the fourth, and both of those guys should have a chance for a big outing. I’ll say both of them score one touchdown each, with either David Adolph or Mylan Graham recording their first score of their respective careers. Ohio State 42, Purdue 3
Bobby Gorbett: Ohio State Dominates Purdue
The Buckeyes are one week removed from a top-five road win that placed them right back in the mix for a Big Ten title. This week they are tasked with handling Purdue at home, if this game was played five years ago and the Boilermakers were still led by former head coach Jeff Brohm, Saturday would be viewed as a classic trap game. As it is, Purdue is perhaps the worst team in the Power Four, and despite all of the coach speak from head coach Ryan Day, the Buckeyes could sleepwalk through this game and still win by 20.
It won’t be easy for the Buckeyes to come down from their 20-13 triumph over Penn State, but this group still seems determined. I see Will Howard having an improved performance from a pretty mediocre game against Penn State, and as an offense, the Buckeyes connect on multiple deep passing plays.
The Buckeyes’ running game, which has been quieted at some points over the last two weeks, will rip off big gain after big gain.
The Boilermakers’ offense might be its best unit, but they still haven’t faced a defense as good as the one they’ll see on Saturday.
I think Purdue will have some success moving the ball, but the bend-but-not-break approach utilized by the Ohio State defense will work well enough for the team to carry a significant advantage into halftime. Ohio State 48, Purdue 3
Cameron Moone: Buckeyes Beat Boilermakers Big
After back-to-back weeks with close calls against Nebraska and now-No. 6 Penn State, No. 2 Ohio State should be able to kick its feet back against Purdue on Saturday, with the Boilermakers entering the game with a 1-7 record and winless in Big Ten play.
Purdue, under second-year head coach Ryan Walters, has regressed heavily from its 4-8 record last season. The Boilermakers sit at a dismal 120th in the country in total defense, giving up 448.1 yards per game compared to last year’s clip of 382.1 yards.
The Buckeyes have a newfound hope in their biggest question mark, with the offensive line imposing their will on Penn State last week to ice the game with 11 straight rushes. That momentum should carry into this week, as Purdue gives up 203.2 yards per contest.
Spare any massive turnovers or another improbable 2018 game in which Purdue could’ve likely beaten any time on Earth, it should be smooth sailing for the Buckeyes in Week 11. Ohio State 45, Purdue 7
Greg Wilson: Buckeyes Roll Over Boilermakers
The defense showed up in a big way against a very good Penn State offense last week. The offense responded to adversity immediately after Will Howard threw a pick-six, scoring two quick touchdowns, and almost getting a third if Howard hadn’t fumbled through the end zone.
Purdue is the worst team in the Big Ten this season, and it should be a break on some levels for the Buckeyes. Of course, they will send everything they have early on, but I expect once there is a lead, there is going to be a lot of rotation on both the offense and the defense, and that lead should come early.
Jeremiah Smith didn’t get his weekly touchdown against the Nittany Lions, so I’m going to make a bold prediction and say he makes up for that with two of them this week. Ohio State 38, Purdue 0
