#7 Ohio State at Purdue

Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, In

Kickoff: 12noon

TV: BTN

The Buckeyes are in trouble. The offensive line again failed to protect quarterback Terrell Pryor and did not hold blocks long enough to open holes for the running backs. Darn good thing the Buckeye defense is really scary good and was able to bail out the sputtering offense. Purdue is a big disappointment this season at just 1-5 and despite their offensive numbers, can’t seem to catch a break. The Boilermakers have the leading quarterback in the Big Ten, a running back ranked among the best in the conference and one of the top wide receiver in the country. Purdue just can’t hold on to the ball. The Buckeyes are on a three game “easy street” playing Purdue, Minnesota and New Mexico State before ending the season with a rough stretch of contests against Penn State, Iowa and Michigan. This offense has three games to get it together because if it doesn’t, ending the year 0-3 is a real possibility.

OSU “O”

Here’s a question to stir the pot: No one questions the talent of Terrell Pryor so why isn’t he improving? Is he a bust or is the coaching staff doing a lousy job teaching and developing him into the quarterback he should be? Hard to say if the crappy offensive line continues to leak linebackers like a sieve. I think these kids are trying their best and giving full effort, so what’s holding back their success. Youth? Coaching? All we can hope for is a fast turnaround or the season will end on a sour note.

OSU “D”

Purdue’s record is misleading. Quarterback Joey Elliot leads the Big Ten in passing, running back Ralph Bolden is second in the conference in yards per game and wide receiver Kevin Smith is second in the Big Ten in receptions and yards per game. The Boilermaker’s problem is they can’t hold on to the ball and have turned the ball over 20 times so far on the season. The Buckeye defense has 14 takeaways this year are will be looking for more. Purdue has lost four of the last five games by less than four points but his weekend they face a scary…really scary Buckeye defense.

Summary

The game comes down to the Boilermaker’s 410.2 yards of total offense per game against the Silver Bullet’s 271.8 yards of total defense. The Buckeye defense will keep the Purdue offense off the field giving the OSU offense control of the game.

Prediction: OSU 37 – PU 6

Why OSU will win:

Purdue is a turnover machine. The Silver Bullet will score at least one touchdown.

Purdue can’t stop anyone and the Buckeye offense is talented enough to put up some big numbers.

Why OSU will lose:

Turnovers and poor offensive execution.

Purdue finally catches a break and wins a close one.

Bold prediction for the game:

Not really a “bold prediction” but Coach Tressel could keep this game close with some ultra-conservative play calling. The score will either be 37-6 or 13-6.

Crazy stat of the game:

Think things are bad in Columbus? Purdue is going into this contest with a 19 game losing streak against Top 25 teams.

Last time they met…

The OSU offense sputtered in a sad looking 16-3 victory in Columbus. Purdue did not allow the Buckeye offense a touchdown.

Boilermaker players to watch:

Senior QB #14 Joey Elliot

Sophomore RB #23 Ralph Bolden

Junior WR #8 Kevin Smith

Senior WR/KR #17 Aaron Valentin

Sophomore K #37 Carson Wiggs

Junior DE #94 Ryan Kerrigan

Senior CB #9 David Pender

Senior DT #92 Mike Neal