Well it’s Friday afternoon so it’s time to lay it all out there. Can Purdue pull off the upset of the college football season and take down Ohio State? An Ohio State team that is currently #1 in the country
mind you. Well, I asked the staff their thoughts.
Ledman (8-1):
If you listened to the podcast you already know my prediction, but I’ll at least lay it out here for you once again. Ohio State has been incredible all season but even more so during Big Ten season. They are allowing, on average, just under 8 points per game during Big Ten season. Now, they’ve played Washington, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Penn State. Not a true murderer’s row of the best offenses in the Big Ten but certainly offense that can score on you when needed. I don’t think I’d put Purdue up there as the best offense in this group. That’s especially true with the way Purdue has been prone to turnovers and this being a VERY GOOD Ohio State defense. I can’t imagine Purdue will even get to that average of about 8 points. I’m picking the Buckeyes, obviously.
Purdue 3
Ohio State 42
Ryan (7-2):
Well, here we are. We knew this was gonna be the witching hour of the Purdue football schedule and we should all be terrified. Purdue has played with absolute grit against good teams this year but mistakes and talent differentials have led to Purdue’s struggles. Ohio State appears to be a different beast (and IU down the road). Sure, this game is at home but I have less confidence than I did last week. Julian Sayin is a Heisman front runner and Jeremiah Smith is the best WR in the country. That alone spells bad news but the OSU defense makes this team a juggernaut especially considering their opponent. It may sound harsh but it’s a reality.
Purdue 10
Ohio State 38
Kyle:
Ohio state just has too much for this Purdue team.
No upset this weekend.
Ohio State 42
Purdue 14
Jed:
The next three weeks are going to be, how do we say this nicely…brutal. Ohio State, Indiana, and a trip to Washington is probably the most difficult three game stretch to close a season as there is in the country. It isn’t likely to be wins but there are chances to see the program moving forward headed into next season.
Barry Odom has done a good job of turning the ship in the right direction in a lot of regards, even if the wins haven’t always come. There aren’t many players on this roster that KNOW how to win so it’s going to take losing close games to get that lesson. We have seen good game plans lead to chances for the Boilers to have a legitimate chance at victories against two ranked opponents (USC and Michigan) and close losses to Rutgers and Minnesota. It stands to rationalize that Purdue is close to being 5-4 or even 6-4 right now with the rights breaks.
Now to OSU who has looked every part of the #1 team in the country. The issue with this game is that where OSU is great (pass protection, wide receivers, and QB play) is where Purdue is really, really weak defensively (pass rush and defending the pass). OSU probably has the best wide receivers and most efficient QB in the country and that spells a disaster for the Boilers. Short story, it’s likely to get ugly and ugly quickly.
Hopefully Odom is able to insert some younger players to get a good read on what he has to bring back for next year. It’s likely he will need to bring 50 guys into the program next year but finding those guys who can build that foundation for the coming years is imperative. You already know what you have in players likes Nitro Tuggle, MJIII, Ryan Browne, CJ Madden, Jamarion Harkless, Charles Correa, and Smiley Bradford as pieces to build with. It’s time to see who else can step up and join them because everyone else hasn’t been great.
OSU rolls to an easy victory but there will be bright spots from a team that has shown it will fight and rally around their coaching staff.
OSU: 52
Purdue: 20
Travis (5-4)
It’s gonna be bad. I am glad I sold my tickets and I am going camping. Hopefully Purdue scores more points than I do. The Buckeyes will probably go pretty light, as they have on most teams this year, but they still win comfortably. Ohio State 45, Purdue 7
