Ohio State vs. Purdue football game preview, prediction
Big Ten football kicks off this weekend as unranked Purdue welcomes cross-division rival, No. 3 ranked and undefeated Ohio State in college football's Week 7 action on Saturday.
Everybody knows what happened the last time Ohio State played at Purdue. As the No. 2 team in the country back in 2018, the Buckeyes were stunned in a shocking 49-20 upset to the Boilermakers, enough to keep them out of the playoff.
Ohio State is just 3-5 on the road in this series in the 21st century. Can Purdue do it again? Here's what you should watch for in Saturday's game, along with our updated Week 7 predictions.
Ohio State vs. Purdue preview, prediction
Ohio State vs. Purdue game prediction
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How to watch
When: Sat., Oct. 14
Time: 12 p.m. Eastern
Watch: Peacock
Ohio State vs. Purdue game odds
Courtesy of SI Sportsbook
Line: Ohio State -19.5
Total: 50.5 points
Moneyline: OSU -1613 | PUR +700
FPI pick: Ohio State 94% to win
What to watch for
1. Injury watch. Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka left last week's win over Maryland with an apparent left leg ailment, requiring some aid coming off the field after sustaining the injury. He was later seen wearing a walking boot on the sideline, and although head coach Ryan Day didn't provide a detailed update, he said it's not a long-term issue. Egbuka is 2nd on the team with 22 catches for 303 yards and 3 TD grabs. With the run game in neutral, OSU needs all the receiving help it can get.
2. Battle at the line. Purdue has struggled to adequately protect the quarterback, allowing 14 sacks that resulted in 111 lost yards. Ohio State is 3rd nationally allowing 10.2 points per game, top-six in passing yards allowed, and top-10 in total defense, and has the bodies who can clog the interior gaps and generate consistent pressure in the pocket to throw the Boilermaker's passing attack out of rhythm and hurry Hudson Card's throws.
3. Establish the run. Ohio State has struggled to run the ball consistently, ranking 9th in the Big Ten and just 96th nationally with 131.6 yards per game on average. TreVeyon Henderson is expected to return from an injury, but the Buckeyes' offensive line, featuring three new starters, has had issues this season creating space for ball carriers on the inside to take some pressure off the passing game.
Ohio State vs. Purdue prediction
The Spoilermakers haven't just bothered Ohio State, but are also 3-1 in their last four games against teams ranked in the top-three in the polls. But this time around, Purdue is very much a team in transition, still looking to build its offense and doesn't have the kind of weapons who can present a credible threat to OSU's secondary tacklers.
The return of Henderson should help give the Buckeyes back a second dimension to their offense, help them work in the play-action, and give their receivers more room to work with in the deeper section of the field.
College Football HQ picks...
- Ohio State wins 37-16
- Covers the spread
- And hits the over
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