Ohio State Faces Purdue in Key Matchup

No. 3 Ohio State prepares to face a struggling Purdue team (1-7, 0-5 Big Ten) this Saturday, following a series of close games that included a win over then-No. 2 Penn State. Head coach Ryan Day emphasized the need for his players to maintain intensity, recalling Purdue's upset of Ohio State in 2018 as a cautionary tale. Despite recent offensive challenges, Ohio State's quarterback Will Howard has thrown 19 touchdowns this season, although he had a rough outing against Penn State. Purdue's defense may have a slight chance to exploit Ohio State's injuries on the offensive line, but they must capitalize on any mistakes to stay competitive. With upcoming critical matchups against ranked opponents, Ohio State cannot afford a loss that could jeopardize their playoff hopes. Purdue's coach Ryan Walters noted improvements in recent games, despite the team's lengthy losing streak, indicating potential for a stronger performance.