Before I get started, I would like to first thank all veterans for their service.
This week I will review Purdue’s loss to Ohio State and preview the upcoming game at Washington.
About last week …
Throughout
history, Purdue has had success against top ranked teams, previously beating the top ranked team on seven previous occasions. However, that did not happen this past Saturday. In fact, it really was not that close. Ohio State made like a boa constrictor and just squeezed Purdue to death. To even remotely have a chance, Purdue needed a perfect game, i.e., play mistake free and execute their assignments at a very high level, higher than we’ve previously seen this season. Well, it was not to be though Purdue did cover. I’ll take this very small win.
The image below shows future NFL WR Jeremiah Smith’s TD catch where Ohio State managed to get him matched up against Purdue LB Mani Powell. While Purdue really didn’t have anyone that could consistently hang with Smith, this one just wasn’t fair.
The Ohio State offense dominated the game and possessed the ball for 40:53. They had nine possessions in the game. While they punted after the first, their only punt of the game, they scored four TDs, kicked two FGs, threw an interception, and ended the game with their remaining eight possessions. The Purdue defense just could not stop the Ohio State offense, which converted 9 of 13 third down attempts. Each of the four TD drives was over 5 minutes in duration, even the one following an interception where they only had to go 30 yards (it still took nine plays), and one the FG drives lasted over 6 minutes. This is how the Ohio State offense shortened the game, kept their defense fresh, and strangled Purdue.
What I liked:
- Purdue competed and never gave up.
- In the first quarter, Purdue moved the ball some, kicked a FG, and shutout OSU.
- Purdue did not lose the turnover battle.
- Purdue sacked Julian Sayin twice.
- Purdue scored 10 points against the top scoring defense in the country who had been giving up less than 7 points per game.
What I didn’t like:
- The inability of Purdue’s defense to get more stops on third down.
- The inability of Purdue’s offense to convert more third downs, particularly after the first quarter.
- Way too many missed tackles. For example, on a number of plays, a Purdue defender hit an Ohio State ball carrier in the backfield but failed to make the tackle.
While the Ohio State defense certainly contributed, the domination in this game was by the Ohio State offense that methodically and repeatedly marched down the field to score points even without future NFL WR Carnell Tate. The difference in talent between these two teams was very apparent. This Purdue team lacks a difference maker(s), e.g., Drew Brees, Kyle Orton, Ryan Kerrigan, or Rondale Moore. As a result, Purdue could not keep up.
Time to move on to Seattle where Purdue faces Washington on Saturday at 6 pm GTZ on FS1. Washington and Purdue have faced each other on the football field on ten previous occasions, with Washington winning seven, Purdue winning two, and one tie. However, Purdue won the most recent matchup in the 2002 Sun Bowl 34-24. I was in attendance for four of these games.
There are also some connections between the teams. Former Boiler head coach Ryan Walters is now the DC at Washington. Walters worked with Coach Barry Odom at both Memphis and most recently at Missouri, where Walters was the DC and Odom the head coach. Barry Odom’s younger brother, Brian Odom, coaches LBs at Washington. Lastly, Purdue’s punter, Jack McCallister played the previous three seasons for Washington, including the National Championship Games loss to Michigan.
This season, the Huskies have played much better at home where they have only been beaten by Ohio State. The Boilers will have their hands full with Huskies QB Demond Williams, Jr. who completes 72% of his passes and averages 250 yards per game while also being the team’s second leading rusher with 54 yards per game. Williams leads all B1G QBs with 490 yards rushing. Five different receivers have 19 or more catches on the season. The Washington defense has been surrendering only 19.5 points per game.
Once again, Purdue will need to play a near-perfect game to have a shot at winning in Seattle.
