As Ohio State Football will try and continue it’s unbeaten season on the road against Purdue, there are plenty of questions surrounding the team.
This happens every week in football, and it’s not different for the Buckeyes. They’re headed to a place that hasn’t been kind of them, so there is another aspect of the contest that brings intrigue.
Head coach Ryan Dayhas his team playing solid football, but not spectacular. Can they get to that level? The talent is certainly there.
Back to this week, let’s take a look at the biggest questions that Ohio State will face against Purdue. Can OSU answer some of them and walk out of a matchup with some questionable weather to remain undefeated and on course?
Will West Lafayette rear it’s ugly head again?
This one is pretty obvious, the Buckeyes have struggled mightily when they play Purdue in Ross-Ade Stadium. Since 2000, it hasn’t been good, just a record of 3-5. A literal house of horrors for Ohio State, it needs to start fast and not look back.
Will the focus be there?
If you didn’t know, Penn State is looming next weekend, and when you visit a 2-4 Purdue, there could be some looking ahead. This focus has to be on this game, otherwise next week won’t matter nearly as much. It’s a one-game at a time mentality, and if the Buckeyes do that, all eyes will be on Columbus a week from today.
How will Emeka Egbuka be replaced?
Question
One of the deepest rooms in the country is down one of their stars, so Ohio State will need to replace Emeka Egbuka. How they Buckeyes do it remains to be seen, but you have to expect that there will be some more looks at Julian Fleming, Carnell Tate, Xavier Johnson with the potential for another backup to emerge. They just have to do their jobs and the unit will be fine.
Can the offensive line hold up against two good pash rushers?
The Ohio State offensive line has come under some scrutiny recently, especially after gaining 62 yards on 33 carries against Maryland. This week, it faces a pair of pass rushers in Kydran Jenkins and Nic Scourton that are very good. They won’t make life easy for the Buckeyes and a key for the offense will be to move them off the ball and dictate the line of scrimmage.
Will the pressure continue?
Question
The sacks sort of came last weekend — at least from J.T. Tuimoloau. He showed flashes again of his ability, his issue has been consistency. Defensive end Michael Hall Jr. was in on the action as well, but there needs to be more. Even if they don’t get home, bothering Purdue quarterback hudson card into mistakes is doable, he’s thrown 5 picks. He’s also been sacked 14 times, so there will be opportunities.
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