Graduate wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) warms up prior to the No. 4 Buckeyes 20-13 victory over the No. 3 Pennsylvania State University Nittany Lions Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Credit: Carly Damon | Asst. Photo Editor
After surviving one of its toughest challenges of the season, Ohio State now faces a team still seeking its first Big Ten victory.
In a contest between two teams experiencing vastly different seasons, the No. 2 Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) are set to play the Purdue Boilermakers (1-7, 0-5 Big Ten) Saturday at noon at Ohio Stadium.
Since Purdue’s 49-0 blowout victory over Indiana State in week one, the Boilermakers haven’t claimed a single win.
Purdue has fallen twice in overtime this season, with a 50-49 game against Illinois Oct. 12 and a 20-14 loss Saturday against Northwestern.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the spread for Ohio State’s game against the Boilermakers is favoring the Buckeyes by 37.5 points, meaning Ohio State must win by at least 38 points for bettors to cover and win their wager.
Despite experts’ and Vegas predictions, Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day said his players must keep their heads on their shoulders and avoid underestimating the Boilermakers due to their record.
“I think, you know, they’re a much better team than their record shows, so we got to have a great week of practice and keep growing,” Day said. “If anybody in this building here is thinking about last week, then they’re distracted and that can’t happen.”
The Boilermakers are led by quarterback Hudson Card, who has amassed 1,005 yards and eight touchdowns, while throwing just four interceptions this season. Backup quarterback Ryan Browne has also received considerable time, racking up 473 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Devin Mockobee tops the Boilermaker skill position players with 671 total yards, as well as four total touchdowns — three on the ground and one through the air.
On the other side, the Buckeyes’ rushing attack features the duo Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. The pair has rushed for 1,001 yards and 10 touchdowns this season, fueling the Ohio State offense.
Ohio State also boasts a commanding defense that’s ranked No. 2 in the country in yards, only having allowed 256.4 yards per game, and No. 3 in points allowed per game with just 12, according to the NCAA’s website.
With a win over the Nittany Lions, Ohio State now controls its own destiny on the way to a possible trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship.
With their victory in Happy Valley, the Buckeyes hope to continue their momentum into their home game against Purdue and throughout the rest of the season, Day said.
“We got to continue to build on what happened last week, and that’s what today’s going to be all about in Tuesday practice,” Day said.
