Purdue v OSU Prediction

Can a hot boilermaker squad play spoilermaker to the #2 Buckeyes

The last time these two squads met, it was an absolute beating as OSU drilled Purdue 56-0. This year, we will host them again at Ross-Ade under the lights on national television in what will be Purdue's biggest game of the season. Both teams have a lot to gain from this game as OSU will try to stay perfect as they try to make the CFP as they were just short of it last season. And Purdue will try to win their 4th straight after dropping their first 3 to start the season. This will be a very interesting game and I'm sad that I will not be able to watch it.

Purdue
2018 Record: 3-3 (Won against Illinois)


Purdue offense is more balanced with a emphasis on the pass. Purdue is averaging 330 yds/gm through the air and 179 yds/gm on the ground. Which is surprising as there have been several plays in which we have picked up huge yardage on the run. Blough will be the starter as he has clearly earned the job for the rest of the season (unless he gets injured). Blough is averaging 282 yds/gm with 10 TD's and only 2 INT's with a passing rate of 68%. I would also expect to see Moore and Knox put up huge numbers throughout the game. And I wouldn't be surprise if we see Issac Zico get some TD's as well.
What the boilermakers will need to focus on will be OSU's pass rush as they are allowing 221 yds/gm. They do have a pretty decent run defense as they are allowing 149 yds/gm, but with how many yards we  are averaging, its pretty much a wash. But my concern will be the O-line and protecting Blough, our success in passing the ball has come from this O-line job of protecting him, and while Mizzou was a pretty decent team, they don't hold a candle to OSU, so that can be a huge factor for this game.

#2 Ohio State
2018 Record: 7-0 (Won against Minnesota)

OSU has a pretty balanced offense with a emphasis on the run game. OSU is averaging 371 yds/gm through the air and 186 yds/gm on the ground. Dwayne Haskins has been explosive putting up scary numbers as he's averaging 333 yds/gm with 28 TD's and 4 INT's with a passing rate of 72%
And I know, with these numbers, we have no shot.
The boilermakers haven't done well on defense but they are slowly improving, the boilers are allowing 267 yds/gm through the air and 146 yds/gm on the ground. The biggest key here for the boilers is to have a lock-down run defense as we have been good at stopping the run, and with that, see if Purdue can force more pressure on Haskins and try to get OSU to make plays.

Verdict 

You have no idea how hard for me to decide who's going to win this game. On paper OSU should win due to the sheer numbers they are putting up. But, OSU has struggled over the past two game and while they did won both of those games, it took up until the third quarter before they put away IU, and it wasn't until 2 min left in the fourth to seal it against Minnesota. And both of theses were at home. And Purdue is firing on all cylinders. This will definitely be a shootout, and this will definitely be close but I am going to pick OSU for this one.