First Look: Ohio State

Here’s an early look at Purdue’s seventh opponent of the 2023 season, the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Time: Saturday, October 14, Noon E.T.

Location: Ross-Ade Stadium

Surface: Bermuda Grass

Capacity: 61,441

2023 schedules/records: Purdue 2-4 (1-2 Big Ten), Ohio State 5-0 (2-0 Big Ten)

Series notes: The Boilermakers and Buckeyes will clash for the 59th time on Saturday with the all-time series heavily favoring Ohio State. The Buckeyes own a 41-15-2 advantage in the series that dates back to 1919, and Ohio State won the last meeting between the two in a 59-31 triumph on a cold 2021 afternoon in Columbus. Ross-Ade Stadium hasn’t been kind to Ohio State lately, however, as five Purdue wins over the Buckeyes in the 21st century mark some of the program’s top highlights (2000, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2018). The last time the Buckeyes came to town, Purdue pulled off one of the program’s most monumental upsets in a 49-20 shocker in the famous “Tyler Trent Game.”

TV: Peacock (subscription required)

Early line: Ohio State -20.5, O/U 52.5

STORYLINES TO WATCH

Redemption

Few programs in America would walk away from an 11-2 season with a last-second loss in the College Football Playoff semifinal feeling like a failure. However, that’s precisely where Ohio State sat following the 2022 campaign. For the second-consecutive year, the Buckeyes fell to hated rival Michigan, and they lost a late lead to Georgia in the CFP semifinal that likely cost Ohio State a national championship.

Now, the pressure is on the Buckeyes in 2023. The Buckeye faithful will demand a victory in the season-ending rivalry game in Ann Arbor, and anything short of a Big Ten championship and a Playoff appearance will be deemed a failure. Though the Buckeyes haven’t looked dominant thus far, they hold a 5-0 record and sit in the top 10.

Upset city?

Ross-Ade Stadium has served as a house of horrors for Ohio State in the 21st century. The Buckeyes have left West Lafayette with a loss five times since 2000. Who could ever forget Drew Brees’ pass to Seth Morales to give Purdue a win in 2000 and keep Rose Bowl hopes alive? How about a 1-5 Purdue team shocking No. 7 Ohio State in 2009? And, in more recent years, Jeff Brohm’s signature win at Purdue when Purdue stunned Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes 49-20 in 2018.

The Boilermakers have long held a reputation for pulling off upsets when few predict them. Purdue enters Saturday’s game as a three-touchdown underdog, so a potential Boilermaker victory would certainly fall into the monumental upset category.

Banged up Boilermakers

After three starters missed the game at Iowa due to injury, the list grew for Purdue when Tyrone Tracy and Marcus Mbow went down on Saturday and didn’t return to the game. As injuries pile up for Purdue, the Boilermakers’ depth will be tested on Saturday as more players get opportunities. With one game left before a bye week, Purdue will hope to make it out of Saturday unscathed so it can rest up.

Pro Football Focus on the Buckeyes

• The wide receiver tandem of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka is unmatched across the country. Both players grade very well, and both should become first-round picks in April’s NFL Draft.
• Oft-injured running back TreVeyon Henderson is a game-changer for the Buckeyes. He missed last week’s win over Maryland with an injury, but keep an eye on his status ahead of Saturday.
• Ohio State’s pair of edge rushers, Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau, are off to excellent starts this season. They’ll look to expose Purdue on the outside.
• The Buckeye defense, which struggled over the last few seasons, looks much improved in 2023

Ryan Walters on Ohio State

An update will be provided following Walters’ Monday afternoon press conference.