Ohio St. vs. Purdue observations

The Ohio St Buckeyes cruised to a 59–31 win as the score made the game closer than it really was. At one point the Bucks were up 35–7 and could have easily dropped 70. Here are few thoughts on what could have been the so called ‘trap’ game.

• I wasn’t too worried about this game because it was in Columbus and I also thought the Buckeyes were pissed off about the win in Nebraska that was more legitimately close than this one. It was apparent as the offense cruised up and down the field with very little resistance. Purdue had no answers defensively especially after the front 6–7 guys, their secondary stinks.
• The Buckeyes defense stinks too, the warts are coming out again and the poor tackling, missed assignments, and overall poor coverage were the only bad marks on this game. Sure they got a turnover on a muffed handoff, but outside of that Purdue had its way until the end when they dropped a sure TD pass and the game was over with few minutes left. Yes Buckeyes won by 4 touchdowns, but this defense needs to tighten up or the next two (or three) weeks might bite them for good.
• CJ Stroud got enough protection this game and moved around the pocket move making crisp and sharp passes. When he gets time and with the talent around him he can make big plays. The Buckeyes WR trio is just unreal. When those guys are on, its impossible to stop. Having a better run game this time around also helped. But Stroud made better throws compared to last week and thats why the Bucks came back to scoring 50+ points.
• I think there is a fair argument about whether Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are really as good as Jayln Waddle and Devonta Smith from Alabama last year. Those guys both went in top 12 in draft and I don’t see how it wouldn’t be the case for the next draft in 2022. These guys just make incredible catches, run insane pro-level routes, and again as written above, when they are on, literally impossible to stop. I think they are this year’s versions of Waddle and Smith. Ohio St needs to cherish those two cause it may be awhile until they get something like that again.
• Michigan St is up next and again game is in Columbus. It will be Senior Day too so imagine lot of emotion for that game as well. You have Haskell Garrett, Olave, Tyreke Smith to name a few. Probably Zach Harrison and Garertt Wilson’s last game, and of course most of the offensive lineman as well. Ruckert too. The Spartans are still a good team, but I think the Buckeyes are going to lay the smack down again. They know they have little room for error and if they can dominate this stretch, they will be in playoff and in a good seed as well. GO BUCKS!!