Purdue’s spectacular 5 victories over Ohio State this century, together with an all-time upset in 2018, have one factor in frequent — they had been performed in West Lafayette, Ind.
The struggling Boilermakers (1-7, 0-5 Huge Ten) will not have that luxurious in Columbus on Saturday in opposition to the Buckeyes, who’re ranked No. 2 within the season’s first School 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 recreation.
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 recreation and a doable 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 in opposition to the Boilermakers earlier than taking part in Northwestern (at Wrigley Subject), and No. 8 Indiana and rival Michigan, each in Columbus.
“We’re simply centered on Purdue,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day stated Tuesday. “It doesn’t matter what occurred the sport earlier than, that recreation 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 received since 1988. However he’ll strive to attract inspiration from six years in the past, when the unranked Boilermakers humbled the second-ranked Buckeyes 49-20, albeit in a house recreation.
“It may be a giant problem,” Walters stated Monday. “Wanting ahead to taking part in in a venue that is as historic as Ohio State and searching ahead to going and competing in opposition to one of the best. That’s the reason you play on this convention. That is why you come to a faculty like Purdue, to have the ability to go compete with and provides your all in opposition to among the higher groups within the nation.”
Nonetheless, within the two most up-to-date matchups in 2023 and 2021, they had been outscored 100-38, and there is cause 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 take a look at their staff in its entirety; very, very proficient roster,” Walters stated. “You couple the proficient roster with the extent of teaching that’s at Ohio State, I’ve obtained numerous respect for lots of these guys on the workers there. That is why you get a staff like Ohio State.”
Will Howard leads the way in which 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 occasions, together with a kneel-down, for 58 yards and 4 first downs to finish the sport.
However Day is finished speaking about that.
“I believe Purdue’s offense is taking part in nicely,” Day stated. “If our guys assume that they are simply going to go on the market and play this Saturday, they’re unsuitable. (The Boilermakers) are a a lot better staff than their report exhibits.
“If anyone on this constructing right here is considering final week, that they are distracted, that may’t occur.”
–Subject Degree Media
