Ohio State football will beat Purdue like the Big Bass Drum | Scarlet & Gray Matter
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4 short-attention spans
Happy Heisman Hopefuls Day. … Purdue once renowned for quarterbacks, but Ohio State says “Hold my beer.” … Boilermakers about to get Big Bass Drummed. … Football? It’s hoops season in West Lafayette.
Pregame buzz
This game feels like signing your name at the top of the test. The easy part. Hard questions don’t begin until Michigan. Still, you can have fun with that name. Write it in ornate cursive. Print it with flairs and squiggles. Write it backward. Who cares? And the Buckeyes can have fun with Purdue. Throw deep. Intercept the quarterback. Sack him a few times, too. Enjoy the show. It’s all free and easy until Nov. 29 in Ann Arbor.
One-liner
Sorry, Boiler fans, but Drew Brees is not walking through that door.
Make or breakers
As long as the Buckeyes aren’t playing the Boilermakers in basketball, there’s not much to report. I don’t see much in the way of upset potential, at least nothing like 2018 when David Blough and Rondale Moore lit up the Buckeyes in a shocking 49-20 win at Ross-Ade Stadium. Sure, Purdue has lost by only one score or less in three of its past four games, but the opponents were unranked Minnesota, struggling Rutgers and No. 21 (but suspect) Michigan, which played down to the competition.
Robo’s rankings
- Ohio State (1) … Unlike Texas and Penn State, OSU has held serve with its high (No. 3) preseason ranking.
- Indiana (2) … At Penn State this week, so another chance to silence the doubters.
- Alabama (3) … Tide hosts LSU, which might be more dangerous without Brian Kelly.
- Texas A&M (4) … Aggies lead nation in third down conversion-rate defense.
- Georgia (unranked) … Bulldogs have four character building come-from-behind wins in six SEC games.
Robo’s rantings
Another day, another example of college corporate greed. This time, it’s about the TV deal that has two of the four CFP first-round playoff games appearing on TNT, tru and HBO Max, not on standard network or ESPN. I would think you would want as many viewers as possible, which won’t happen with two of the Dec. 20 games on “alternative” channels. Bah.
Numbers for dummies
2 – possible Biletinkoff finalists for Ohio State in Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate, which would be a first for the receiver award. No school has had two reach the final stage of voting.
2005 – the last time Ohio State kicked off a regular-season game at 1 p.m. (2005 Michigan)
4-5 – Purdue’s home record vs. OSU this century.
Across the field
Purdue has its hands full trying to design a plan to hang with the Buckeyes offensively, especially after losing running back Devin Mockabee to a season-ending ankle injury. Add to that quarterback Ryan Browne having thrown the second-most interceptions among Big Ten quarterbacks and it looks like another long afternoon for the Boilermakers.
We SEC you (a weekly look at that other conference)
What is the worst thing that could happen to the SEC? Try the Big Ten winning a third consecutive national championship. Southern football elitism would not know what to do if Indiana, Oregon or, heaven forbid, Ohio State wins it all. If the Buckeyes can defend their title they would join Georgia and Alabama as the only back-to-back champs since 2011.
The weird and wonderful
Welcome to the latest craze/trend sweeping college football stadiums: the chest quest.
What began as a bet between siblings at an Oklahoma State game Oct. 11 – Cowboys fan Calista Bradford dared her brother to remove his shirt and wave it for $10 – has spread quickly. Since Eaton’s strip show, entire student sections across the country (males only) have followed suit, including Camp Randall Stadium during the Ohio State-Wisconsin game. Even North Texas athletic director Jared Mosely got into the act in the Mean Green’s win against Navy.
Our AD >>> Yours#GMG🦅 | @mosleyj22pic.twitter.com/fJxV7OaZuJ
— UNT Football (@MeanGreenFB) November 1, 2025
College football is supposed to be fun, so during games it’s time Ohio State replace the Caamp song “Ohio” with “The Stripper,” the traditional burlesque music played during, er, disrobement. Then watch the abs (college students) and beer bellies (alumni) come out of hiding.
Day delivery
What the coach said: “What does it matter if we don’t win this Saturday?” – on whether he planned to watch the release of the first College Football Playoff rankings Nov. 4
What we heard: If we lose Saturday? Hahahahaha.
Inside the biz
Road trips require the help of fans who know the lay of the land. Best restaurants? Cool landmarks? Historical sites? Sports writers need informed authorities to help us make the best dining/entertainment decisions. So who out there knows the ins and outs of West Lafayette, Indiana? Help, please.
Buy Ohio State books, posters, gear from CFP title win
Horseshoe haiku
Sayin passes fall,
spinning like bronze autumn leaves;
Smith, Tate rake them in
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football will easily take care of business against Purdue
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