Purdue’s spectacular 5 victories over Ohio State this century, together with an all-time upset in 2018, have one factor in widespread — they have been performed in West Lafayette, Ind.
The struggling Boilermakers (1-7, 0-5 Large 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 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 Large Ten title sport 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 enjoying Northwestern (at Wrigley Area), and No. 8 Indiana and rival Michigan, each in Columbus.
“We’re simply centered on Purdue,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day mentioned 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 mentioned, 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 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 is going to be a giant problem,” Walters mentioned Monday. “Trying ahead to enjoying in a venue that is as historic as Ohio State and looking out ahead to going and competing in opposition to the very 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 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 imagine 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 very fact Ohio State has future NFL picks all through the lineup and it may very well be an extended day.
“You take a look at their staff in its entirety; very, very proficient roster,” Walters mentioned. “You couple the proficient roster with the extent of teaching that’s at Ohio State, I’ve obtained a variety of respect for lots of these guys on the employees 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 enjoying effectively,” Day mentioned. “If our guys assume that they are simply going to go on the market and play this Saturday, they’re fallacious. (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.”
–Area Degree Media
