“Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.”- J.R.R. Tolkien

• (8-0) Ohio St at (2-7) Purdue BTN Noon

The wind continues to howl as we enter the afternoon. Bucket loads of leaves are falling with each gust and what looks like thinly sliced apples are collecting in every corner of the yard. Granny Smith and Golden and Red Delicious all represented across the garden space. It may feel like an early June day, but it’s November and the trees are playing their role in the Fall season.

Just like the Buckeyes from Ohio St. They are playing a significant role in this season.

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The Buckeyes are 1st in scoring defense and the most efficient offense this season. This has led them to a perfect 8-0 start and a number one ranking in the AP, CFP, and here at Single High Sports. A unanimous number one. A true favorite in this College Football Season, which is exactly what this season needs.

Georgia and potentially Indiana seem to be on the same level but up to this point, there has been no better team, and it all starts on defense.

Now, statistically, there are not any players on the team that stand out on the defensive side, but that does not mean that they don’t have elite players. In fact, it means quite the opposite. The reason no one on defense has any stats to brag about is because opposing offenses are off the field so quickly.

The defense led by S Caleb Downs and LB Arvell Reese is so efficient that the players do not get enough chances to make impactful plays. That said, the fact that the team surrenders less than a touchdown per game speaks for itself. This is an elite unit.

As is the offense.

Sophomore Quarterback Julian Sayin has been lights-out lethal so far this season. He’s completing over 80 percent of his throws, good for 1st in the nation, thrown for 23 touchdowns (3rd), and only thrown three interceptions. In fact, he only throws a pick 1.4 percent of the time. This means that every one-hundred pass attempts, Julian is only throwing 1.4 picks. It may be redundant to repeat the stat, but I think it adds to the impressiveness to see it spelled out that way. He has truly been on the elite end of efficient.

To continue to brag on the sophomore, he has a QB Rate of 197.1, which is also good for 1st in the nation.

Now, it begs the question, who is catching all of these completions and touchdowns?

Enter Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. Both will play at the next level, and both are maximizing their season so far.

• SO Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith: 55 Catches, 725 Yards, 10 TD
• JR WR Carnell Tate: 39 Catches, 711 Yards, 7 TD
  • 18.2 yard/ reception

Having two future draft picks at receiver is almost unfair at this point. Again, this is what makes this Ohio St team such a clear-cut title contender. The QB, S, LB, and Two WR could all be 1st round picks in their respective NFL drafts. The Buckeyes are seemingly a video game team. It may truly take a Georgia or Indiana to stop them.

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However, it’s Purdue, not Georgia or Indiana that will battle the Buckeyes this week. Will the Boilermakers be able to put up a fight?

The Boilermakers are a dismal 109th in points scored per game and 88th in points allowed, so on paper, there truly is not a prayer. The weather looks like it’ll be warm, cloudy with some wind gusts, so I don’t expect it to make an impact on how the game is played.

–West Lafayette is due for some snow this weekend but look for it on Sunday. Saturday will be the ‘warm before the storm’ type of situation.

So, who on the home team will step up and stop this offense?

PURDUE IMPACT PLAYERS:

• SR DB Tahj Ra-El- 81 Tackles, 4 Pass Defended, 2 TFL
• SO DB Hudauri Hines- 25 Tackles, 6 PD, 1 INT
• SR DB Myles Slusher- 52 Tackles, 3 PD, 2 TFL, 1 Sack, 1 INT
• SR DL CJ Nunnally IV- 32 Tackles, 7.5 TFL, 5 Sacks, 2 FF, 1 PD

I’m not saying that they will put an end to the Buckeyes dominance, but perhaps these players can put up just enough fight to give their team a chance in the 4th.

If they get that chance, they’ve got the kicker to save the day.

• K Spencer Porath is 22/22 on Extra Points and 11/12 on Field Goals this year.

Maybe it’s the kicker that wins the day. Who knows?

Purdue last won on September 6th when they beat Southern Illinois 34-17. They lost to Rutgers by 3, Michigan, by 5, and Minnesota by 7 and the rest were blowouts.

However, they played just about their most competitive game this past week when they lost by five to Michigan. It was tight throughout the entirety of the game. Will the Boilermakers build upon their decent performance or lose by 36 at home?

Logic and stats say that a 42-6 Buckeye win is in order.

Like always, we’ll just have to watch on Saturday.

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Ohio St is as solid and complete of a team that is playing this season, and it would be a travesty if they don’t make the National Semi- Finals at a minimum. I’d love to see them play Georgia in the Natty.

END

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.