Who will win? Experts make predictions for Ohio State vs. Purdue
The Ohio State football team, which is ranked No. 4 in the first College Football Playoff rankings this week, faces Purdue at Ohio Stadium on Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. showdown with the upset-minded Boilermakers.
While the Buckeyes, who have won seven straight games since losing to Oregon in September, are in a good position in the CFP rankings, it’s clear they have little room to fail. And Purdue is coming off an impressive upset of Michigan State, which was No.3 in the CFP rankings at the time. The loss dropped the Spartans to No. 7 this week.
The Boilermakers are 4-2 in the Big Ten and 6-3 overall.
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The Boilermakers have All-America candidates in wide receiver David Bell and defensive end George Karlaftis. Purdue ranks 16th nationally in scoring defense, giving up 18.4 points per game. The Boilermakers' passing game ranks eighth with a 332.4-yard average.
“They're playing for a chance to go to Indy,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said, referring to the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis, “so they certainly have our attention. Very, very good players. Very good scheme.”
The Buckeyes beat Nebraska last week and lead the Big Ten East with a 6-0 conference record.
So who wins the Ohio State-Purdue game?
Here’s what the Columbus Dispatch staff and Mike Carmin of the Lafayette Journal & Courier think:
Bill Rabinowitz
Ohio State beat writer
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State 41, Purdue 24
This could be a pass-fest. Purdue doesn't even try much in the run game, and Ohio State's has unexpectedly faltered. The Boilermakers have two studs in wide receiver David Bell and defensive end George Karlaftis, but the Buckeyes have elite talent throughout its roster. Purdue's big wins over highly ranked teams this year will get OSU's attention and keep this from being the trap game it might otherwise have been.
Joey Kaufman
Ohio State beat writer
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State 45, Purdue 24
The Boilermakers are well deserving of their spoiler reputation, especially when facing the Buckeyes. They’ve won four of the past nine games against Ohio State, including 2018’s mammoth upset. But that success has been limited to West Lafayette. The Buckeyes have not lost to Purdue at Ohio Stadium since 1988, which was John Cooper’s first season at the helm. Don’t expect that trend to change Saturday. After a couple of lackluster showings, Ohio State’s offense should regain its footing and prove too much for even the Boilermakers’ prolific passing game to keep pace.
Rob Oller
Sports columnist
The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State 52, Purdue 20
Once upon a time — like maybe two weeks ago — the Buckeyes might have been caught looking ahead to Michigan State. Then Purdue happened to the Spartans. The Boilermakers boast a potent passing game, with David Bell among the top wide receivers in the nation. But an air attack alone is not enough against an improving Ohio State defense. My hunch is OSU's suddenly tepid running game finds new energy, too. Expect TreVeyon Henderson to hang 125 yards or more on the Black and Gold.
Mike Carmin
Purdue beat writer
Lafayette Journal & Courier
Ohio State 35, Purdue 21
Although the college football world wants more chaos — with the Boilermakers causing it — the Buckeyes are too strong on both sides of the ball. Purdue's defense has played well most of the season but won't be able to keep OSU's numerous weapons from generating big plays. The Boilermakers will make it interesting.
2021 Ohio State Buckeyes football schedule
Sept. 2: Ohio State 45, Minnesota 31
Sept. 11: Oregon 35, Ohio State 28
Sept. 18: Ohio State 41, Tulsa 20
Sept. 25: Ohio State 59, Akron 7
Oct. 2: Ohio State 52, Rutgers 13
Oct. 9: Ohio State 66, Maryland 17
Oct. 23: Ohio State 54, Indiana 7
Oct. 30: Ohio State 33, Penn State, 24
Nov. 6: Ohio State 26, Nebraska 17
Nov. 13: Purdue, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Nov. 20: Michigan State, noon, ESPN
Nov. 27: at Michigan, noon, FOX
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State Buckeyes football to face Purdue: Predictions for game
