Betting Line: Ohio State -27.5 | O/U 48.5
Following its 38-14 win over Penn State on Saturday, Ohio State remains the only team in the country to stay undefeated against the spread. The Buckeyes have covered in seven of their eight games so far
this season, with one push in a 28-point win over Ohio to sit at 7-0-1 ATS.
Ryan Day and his team will look to keep their record unblemished both against the spread and in the standings when they travel to West Lafayette to take on Purdue in Week 11 as nearly four-touchdown favorites.
The Boilermakers have struggled mightily this year in Big Ten play, sitting at 0-6 in-conference and 2-7 overall. Despite dropping each of its last seven games, Purdue has kept things competitive, with three of its last four losses being by one score, including a 21-16 loss to Michigan last time out.
Purdue had the ball in the fourth quarter with a chance to take the lead against the Wolverines on Saturday, but turned it over on downs near midfield. Michigan scored a touchdown on its ensuing drive, and although the Boilermakers responded with a touchdown of their own to cut the deficit to five points, the Wolverines were able to run out the clock and ice the game.
Quarterback Ryan Browne was efficient against Michigan, completing 19-of-24 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. On the season, Browne is completing a little over 61% of his passes for 1,822 yards with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. The sophomore QB is a bit of a threat on the ground as well, rushing for 158 yards and four touchdowns so far this year.
Purdue was notably without top running back Devin Mockobee against the Wolverines, who leads the team with 521 yards and four touchdowns. Head coach Barry Odom said after the game it is unclear whether or not Mockobee will return this year, so his status for Ohio State remains up in the air. In his place against Michigan were Malachi Thomas and Antonio Harris, who combined for 122 yards on 26 carries (4.7 YPC).
Michael Jackson III has been the Boilermakers’ top option through the air, catching 50 balls for 456 yards and a touchdown in nine games this season. Georgia transfer Nitro Tuggle has been the top scoring threat among the receiving core, hauling in a team-high four scores.
While its offense ranks 103rd nationally with 22.9 points per game, things don’t get much better for Purdue on the defensive end, ranking 106th nationally allowing 30.4 points per game. The Boilermakers struggle almost identically against the run and the pass, ranking No. 91 defending through the air and No. 92 on the ground.
If there has been a highlight of an otherwise rough unit, it has been the play of linebacker duo Mani Powell and Charles Correa. Powell leads the team with 50 tackles to go along with a team-high 8.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, while Correa sits third on the team with 78 total tackles with six tackles for loss and three sacks. Defensive lineman CJ Nunnally IV leads the Boilermakers with five sacks to go along with 7.5 TFLs and two forced fumbles.
Ohio State has had some trouble in West Lafayette over the years, having lost four of the last seven games at Ross-Ade Stadium despite the Buckeyes dominating the series overall with a 42-15-2 record all-time against Purdue. That said, the Boilermakers have yet to win a game against a Power Four opponent this season, with its only two wins coming against Ball State and Southern Illinois to begin the year.
The Buckeyes look pretty locked in right now, and they will have to stay that way to avoid a huge upset. Ohio State is purposely playing it slow this year, which has led some games to look a bit closer on the scoreboard than they have been in reality, but they should have no problem covering here.
Purdue is going to have a tough time scoring points in this one, and an even tougher time keeping Ohio State out of the end zone.
All lines and odds are presented by FanDuel Sportsbook.
