Special Preview– NCAA Football, Week 11
(19) Purdue Boilermakers at (4) Ohio State Buckeyes
Purdue: It’s something about them. For the last few years, they’ve had the reputation of defeating some of the upper echelon teams in the Big Ten. This year, they’ve knocked off two of the best in the conference. A week after the Iowa Hawkeyes handled their business against the Penn State Nittany Lions, they hand Iowa their first loss and since then, the Hawkeyes haven’t been the same. This past weekend in West Lafayette, it was the same situation as I mentioned up top. Michigan State won a big game over the Michigan Wolverines. On the radio last Wednesday, I said that game in Indiana would be a trap game and look what happened. Purdue got them again! I really like what Jeff Brohm is building with this program. What I enjoy about them is there’s nothing flashy about how they play the game of football. Everything is downhill. No trickery for the most part or anything like that. They want to run the football and control the clock. You can’t do anything but appreciate that. One of the best players in the country you’ve never heard of plays for them. He’s a wide receiver and his name is David Bell. He has a basketball background, and it shows with certain things he can do on the field. He could be the next massive thing in the NFL when he declares for the draft. On Saturday, they travel to Columbus for a showdown with those Buckeyes.
Ohio State: They continue to roll. I’ll say that much. Since the loss to the Oregon Ducks, they’ve won seven in a row. At 8-1, they are closing in on yet another Big Ten East division title. The reason they’ve been able to dominate as of late has been the play of C.J. Stroud. In all my years of watching and breaking down the game of college football, I’ve never seen a true first-year quarterback play as poised as he does. It almost appears as if nothing ever phases him in game. He never forces anything, and he lets the game come to him. In week ten, they had a battle with a Nebraska team that hasn’t been great in some years, but they always play teams tough. When I was on the NerdZone last Wednesday, I said this one thing verbatim: “Nebraska played Michigan tough, I think they can play the Buckeyes tough as well” and it happened. They picked off Stroud twice and forced him to throw the ball 54 times which is too much. They escaped with a narrow win in Lincoln. Anytime I watch these Buckeyes, I find myself singing the praises of one guy. That’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba. As I always say when I break his game down, he’s not your typical slot receiver. He can do more and then some. On Saturday, he had the game of his life! 15 catches and 240 yards receiving! If Ohio State wins out, they will be a playoff team once again. They’re back home Saturday afternoon.
Purdue X-Factor: Milton Wright– He’s the number two receiver behind Bell and the second option for Aidan O’Connell. As I always say, David will do what David does unless the Buckeyes come out and double him early on which forces Aidan to look elsewhere. Milton is that speedy threat down the field that can make noise if you don’t address him. Look for him to be targeted early on.
Ohio State X-Factor: TreVeyon Henderson– For as long as I know, they’ve always had quality running backs. Eddie George and Ezekiel Elliott are a few. How could I forget Archie Griffin? When you watch Henderson, you can see when he changes gears. His burst is explosive. He’s a pure playmaker. The one element he adds to the Buckeyes offense is versatility out the backfield. His ability to catch passes is what’s been missed for a few years.
Final Analysis: Does Purdue have another fight in them? I know Ohio State wants revenge on them. The last two times they’ve played, the Boilermakers have beat them. That 2018 game was a memorable one. Ohio State’s offensive line should have no problems in this one because Purdue struggles to rush the passer. On the year, they only have a total of seven sacks. Look for Stroud to have a clean pocket to throw from. I always say when you’re a road team, take the crowd out of the game. This will be a hostile environment. Purdue must come away with points. Run the ball, make them respect your running game because they struggle to stop the run. This is personal for Ohio State because Purdue has kept them out of the playoff picture a few years back.
Prediction: Ohio State 34, Purdue 24
