Purdue Ohio State Betting – Buckeyes Fight To Stay In Big Ten Race, Shake Off Recent Loss
The Ohio State Buckeyes won’t go unbeaten in Big Ten play this season, but they can still win the conference title. The journey to redemption begins this week against Purdue.
NCAA football betting: Purdue Boilermakers @ Ohio State Buckeyes
Online BettingOdds: Ohio State -23.5
Why To Bet On Purdue
The Purdue Boilermakers, without question, are playing their best football of the season. A team that's been ravaged by injuries across the board has somehow found a way to move upward in the Big Ten standings. Coach Danny Hope has been incredibly resourceful in reshuffling his lineups and getting his players to perform in a pinch. The improbable nature of Purdue's resurgence was found in the form of a 20-17 win over the Northwestern Wildcats on Oct. 9 in which the Boilermakers threw for only 47 yards, yet managed to cobble together enough rushing yards, third-down conversions, and special-teams plays to win. A blocked field goal when trailing Northwestern by four points managed to swing the game around in the fourth quarter. All three phases of play are generating inspired efforts and elevated discipline throughout the Purdue roster. If there's ever been a time to feel good about the gridiron product being put out by the Boilers, it's right now.
Why To Bet On Ohio State
The defending Big Ten champions just got whacked last week by the Wisconsin Badgers. Ohio State dropped a 31-18 decision in which its front lines got manhandled and quarterback Terrelle Pryor failed to rise to the occasion. Pryor continued to lack a rifle arm, and the now-former Heisman Trophy candidate (his campaign is all but dead after the 13-point loss) failed to zip the ball into tight windows against Wisconsin's coverage.
This all sounds familiar.
ast year, Ohio State got drubbed by Purdue as Pryor suffered through a horrible game. Ohio State’s fan base was ready to pronounce Pryor a dead-end quarterback, and the OSU coaching staff, including head coach Jim Tressel, came under enormous criticism for failing to unlock the full measure of Pryor’s athletic abilities. After that poor outing, however, the Buckeyes regrouped, won the Big Ten, and eventually romped in the Rose Bowl against an outclassed opponent from Oregon. This is the game in which an Ohio State bounce-back normally begins. The Buckeyes should be steaming mad after the loss at Wisconsin. Moreover, the loss to Purdue last season should make Ohio State even hungrier to get revenge. Playing at home, the Buckeyes should weed out recent mistakes and produce a very clean, focused performance against a Purdue team that, let's remember, is still playing without its No. 1 quarterback, Robert Marve.
How The Game Will Play Out
Ohio State will start strong, punch the Boilermakers in the mouth, and continue to land haymakers through three quarters before relaxing in the fourth. The Buckeyes should roll and ultimately cover the number at Ohio Stadium. Terrelle Pryor will play well and get back on the beam in Columbus.
Purdue Ohio State Betting Pick: Ohio State
