Purdue football has pulled off miracles vs Ohio State before, but can it happen again?
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
WEST LAFAYETTE − As if the Purdue football schedule hadn’t been challenging enough, the Boilermakers welcome Ohio State on Saturday.
The defending national champions are undefeated and ranked No. 1, while also owning the nation’s top defense, two of the top receivers in college football, and a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback.
The Boilermakers face that task while trying to end a seven-game losing streak.
On a positive front, Purdue is coming off perhaps its best showing of the season, a 21-16 setback at Michigan.
Can the Boilermakers carry any momentum from last week’s performance? It may take a miracle on Saturday, but Purdue has given Ohio State more fits than most. Purdue is 5-4 against Ohio State at Ross-Ade Stadium since 2000.
Buy Purdue vs. Ohio State tickets
Purdue football vs. Ohio State prediction
If you thought receivers from USC, Notre Dame, Illinois, and Rutgers had a field day against Purdue, be aware of the Buckeye tandem of Carnell Tate and Jeremiah Smith. Tate is the Big Ten leader in yards per catch (18.2). Smith leads the league in receptions (55, including 9 touchdowns). Purdue can’t cover them in man, which isn’t a knock on Purdue. No one else seems to be able to create a defensive strategy to stop them, either.
Ohio State might have the best offensive line, quarterback, and receiving corps in the country to complement its top-ranked defense.
Purdue’s best shot is to sustain long scoring drives, like it did with a 9:30 touchdown drive at Michigan, and limit the amount of times Ohio State’s offense sees the field. And, simply put, that doesn’t happen against this Buckeye defense.
Purdue football vs. Ohio State scouting report
Purdue’s defense, while still with faults, has been much improved in the last month. Ohio State is a next-level challenge, however. After beating Texas 14-7 in their season opener, the Buckeyes have been held to under 34 points just once. Purdue’s secondary will have to play its best game of the season, and even then, it might not matter.
Flip to the other side, Ohio State is allowing just 6.9 points per game, the only FBS team with a single-digit average. Only two teams have cracked double figures, with Illinois’ 16 points on Oct. 11 being the most any offense has put up on Ohio State. Purdue’s offense is averaging just 15 points over its last four games.
Purdue football injury updates
Purdue will play its second straight game without running back Devin Mockobee. Head coach Barry Odom said on Monday that Mockobee’s college career is over. He was injured late in an Oct. 25 loss to Rutgers. In his place, Malachi Thomas and Antonio Harris will split backfield reps.
Purdue football vs. Ohio State prediction
Ohio State 42, Purdue 7.
Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football vs Ohio State prediction, scouting report
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos