No. 2 Ohio State appears to keep away from getting tripped up by Purdue

Purdue’s spectacular 5 victories over Ohio State this century, together with an all-time upset in 2018, have one factor in frequent — they have been performed in West Lafayette, Ind.

The struggling Boilermakers (1-7, 0-5 Huge Ten) will not have that luxurious in Columbus on Saturday towards the Buckeyes, who’re ranked No. 2 within the season’s first Faculty Soccer Playoff rankings launched Tuesday.

Within the first-ever CFP ballot in 2014, Ohio State ranked sixteenth due to a house loss to Virginia Tech. Two months later, the Buckeyes defeated Oregon within the nationwide title sport.

The Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1) have the identical vacation spot in thoughts this season after a 20-13 victory at No. 6 Penn State on Saturday gave them a transparent path to the Huge Ten title sport and a attainable rematch with No. 1 Oregon, which edged the visiting Buckeyes 32-31 on Oct. 12.

Ohio State must win its closing 4 regular-season video games and might’t afford a slip-up towards the Boilermakers earlier than enjoying Northwestern (at Wrigley Subject), and No. 8 Indiana and rival Michigan, each in Columbus.

“We’re simply targeted on Purdue,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day stated Tuesday. “It doesn’t matter what occurred the sport earlier than, that sport is over with. Regardless of the rankings are, we have at all times stated, those that matter are those on the finish of the yr.”

Purdue coach Ryan Walters is aware of his staff is a heavy underdog at Ohio Stadium, the place the Boilermakers have not gained since 1988. However he’ll attempt to attract inspiration from six years in the past, when the unranked Boilermakers humbled the second-ranked Buckeyes 49-20, albeit in a house sport.

“It may be a giant problem,” Walters stated Monday. “Trying ahead to enjoying in a venue that is as historic as Ohio State and searching ahead to going and competing towards one of the best. That’s the reason you play on this convention. That is why you come to a college like Purdue, to have the ability to go compete with and provides your all towards a number of the higher groups within the nation.”

Nevertheless, within the two most up-to-date matchups in 2023 and 2021, they have been outscored 100-38, and there is motive to consider one other beatdown is within the offing.

The Boilermakers have been outscored 295-113 by FBS opponents following a season-opening 49-0 win over Indiana State of the FCS.

Add the actual fact Ohio State has future NFL picks all through the lineup and it could possibly be a protracted day.

“You have a look at their staff in its entirety; very, very gifted roster,” Walters stated. “You couple the gifted roster with the extent of teaching that’s at Ohio State, I’ve received a variety of respect for lots of these guys on the workers there. That is why you get a staff like Ohio State.”

Will Howard leads the best way at quarterback for the Buckeyes, throwing for 1,977 yards and 19 touchdowns this season, with Emeka Egbuka catching 46 passes for 577 yards and 7 touchdowns and Jeremiah Smith hauling in 39 passes for 678 yards and eight scores.

The Buckeyes will look to construct off their efficiency at Penn State, the place they denied the Nittany Lions a late potential game-tying landing regardless of a first-and-goal from the three.

That was adopted by the Buckeyes ranging from their 1 with 5:13 left and working 11 straight instances, together with a kneel-down, for 58 yards and 4 first downs to finish the sport.

However Day is completed speaking about that.

“I believe Purdue’s offense is enjoying effectively,” Day stated. “If our guys suppose that they are simply going to go on the market and play this Saturday, they’re flawed. (The Boilermakers) are a significantly better staff than their file reveals.

“If anyone on this constructing right here is considering final week, that they are distracted, that may’t occur.”

–Subject Degree Media