Purdue vs. Ohio State Football: Scouting Report and Predictions

Purdue's football team has a chance to upset Ohio State again, but injuries and inconsistent play may hinder their chances.

Ohio State has had a difficult time playing Purdue football at Ross-Ade Stadium. In fact, the Boilermakers have won 5 out of the 8 games against Ohio State since 2000. One game that stands out in fans' memories is the 2016 victory, where Purdue defeated Ohio State with a score of 49-20. This game was particularly significant because it featured Tyler Trent, a Purdue fan who had been battling a rare form of bone cancer. Trent's prediction of a Boilermaker victory on ESPN College GameDay came true, adding to the emotional impact of the game.

Purdue has also had success against highly ranked teams in recent years. In their last four games against teams ranked in the top three, they have won three of them, with their only loss coming against Michigan in last year's Big Ten Championship. This shows that Purdue is capable of competing with and defeating some of the best teams in the country.

One area where Purdue will need to be particularly strong is their secondary, as they will be facing a talented receiving duo from Ohio State. These two receivers have already combined for 47 catches, 802 yards, and seven touchdowns this season. Purdue's true freshman Derrick Rogers Jr. will have his work cut out for him as he starts in the secondary.

However, Ohio State is not just a team with talented receivers. They also have a strong rushing attack, led by Treveyon Henderson and Chip Trayanum, who have combined for eight rushing touchdowns. On the defensive side, Ohio State is holding opponents to an average of just 10.2 points per game, thanks in part to the leadership of linebacker Tommy Eichenberg.

Purdue's quarterback, Hudson Card, has been dealing with a shoulder injury that he suffered during a game against Illinois two weeks ago. This injury may have affected his performance in last week's game against Iowa, where he was sacked six times. Despite the injury, Card remains determined to push through and take care of his body.

In addition to Card's injury, Purdue is also dealing with other key players being out. Running back Tyrone Tracy is not expected to play, and tight end Max Klare, right tackle Marcus Mbow, and cornerback Marquis Wilson are out for the year. These injuries will undoubtedly impact Purdue's performance against Ohio State.

Saturday's game will also feature a special honorary captain for Purdue, former receiver Seth Morales. Morales played a pivotal role in Purdue's victory over Ohio State in 2000, catching the winning touchdown pass from Drew Brees.

While I initially predicted that Purdue would upset Ohio State again this year, my thoughts have changed. Purdue's inconsistent play and injuries have made me reconsider, and I now believe that Ohio State's talent and depth will ultimately lead them to victory. However, Purdue has shown that they can hang around and compete with top teams, so it should still be an interesting game to watch.

Overall, the matchup between Purdue and Ohio State promises to be an exciting one. Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and it will be interesting to see how they match up against each other. Fans can expect a competitive game, with both teams giving it their all to come out on top.