After three straight and compelling video games for No. 3 Ohio State coach Ryan Day faces the problem of holding the depth excessive in opposition to an opponent that seemingly will not maintain as much as the identical stage.
Unlucky Purdue (1-7, 0-5 Big Ten) visits Ohio Stadium on Saturday, per week after the Buckeyes earned an exhilarating 20-13 win over then-No. 2 Pen State.
The earlier week, Ohio State (7-1, 4-1, CFP No. 2) wanted a late interception seal a 9-5pm conquer Nebraska. On October twelfth they misplaced a mean of 32-31 heartthrob at No.1 Oregon.
Now, with two video games developing in opposition to lesser opponents — Purdue and Northwestern — nobody would blame the Buckeyes for trying just a few weeks forward.
Ohio State hosts No. 1 Indiana. 8 on Nov. 23 and rival Michigan within the season finale on Nov. 30. Every sport must be received. One extra loss and the Buckeyes are at risk of being kicked out of the 12-team College Football Playoff.
Throughout Day’s time answering questions this week concerning the Penn State sport, he emphasised that his workforce wants to maneuver ahead and run over Purdue.
Ohio State has been tripped up midseason earlier than, most notably in 2018, when the undefeated No. 2 Buckeyes had been shocked 49-20 by unranked Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana.
“If our guys suppose they’re simply going to exit and play Saturday, they’re unsuitable,” Day stated. “I believe (Purdue is) a significantly better workforce than their report exhibits. If anybody right here on this constructing is considering final week , he’s distracted and this can not occur.”
Purdue swept FCS college Indiana State, 49-0, within the first sport, however has since misplaced seven straight, its longest dropping streak since 2016. But second-year coach Ryan Walters likes the advance.
“In two of the final three video games we have been there proper on the finish, in time beyond regulation,” Purdue coach Ryan Walters stated. “It wasn’t like that at the start of the season.”
Will’s worst sport
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard had his worst sport of the season in opposition to Penn State. It began badly when he threw a pick-6 on his first go try.
He completed 16 of 24 for a season-low 182 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. His 66.7% completion charge was his lowest because the begin of the season. He additionally fumbled the ball out of the tip zone whereas operating for what would have been a landing within the second quarter.
“If I play my worst sport and we win, that is all that issues,” stated Howard, who performed 4 years at Kansas State earlier than transferring. “And that is how I wish to strategy the sport, and that is how I need my teammates to know me.”
Difficult street
Purdue squandered what was arguably their greatest probability at a convention win once they misplaced in time beyond regulation to Northwestern, 26-20, final week. The remainder of this system is harder. After Ohio State, the Boilermakers get No. 6 Penn State at dwelling, then they’re at Michigan State earlier than ending the season at No. 8 Indiana.
The protection does it
Day stated Ohio State’s protection was “redesigned” after permitting almost 500 yards of offense within the loss to Oregon. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles stated it is a matter of placing gamers in the best positions, particularly for the go rush. “It was only a back-to-basics course of,” Knowles stated. “Things acquired a little bit loopy in that (Oregon) sport.”
Two QBs
Hudson Card can be Purdue’s beginning quarterback in opposition to the Buckeyes. The fifth-year participant began the primary 5 video games of the season. When sidelined by harm in losses to Illinois and Oregon, second-year man Ryan Browne performed properly sufficient to create a conundrum at quarterback. Paper returned final week and threw for 267 yards and a landing in an time beyond regulation loss to Northwestern.
Associated Press reporting.
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