COLUMBUS, Ohio – Following their recent win against Penn State, the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes are ready to take on the Purdue Boilermakers today, Saturday, November 9, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Fans can catch the game live at noon Eastern on FOX, with free streaming options available through services like FuboTV and DirecTV Stream, both of which offer free trials.
Last week’s matchup saw Ohio State (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) make a comeback from a 10-point deficit to defeat the then-No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions, 20-13. This victory propelled them to the No. 2 spot in the initial College Football Playoff rankings released on November 5, marking only one loss against the top-ranked Oregon.
Ohio State boasts a significant offensive edge, averaging 30 points per game against Purdue, and has a remarkable point differential of plus-25.8 this season—with an impressive plus-33.8 at home. Senior quarterback Will Howard leads the charge, having thrown for 1,977 yards and a league-high 19 touchdowns, while completing 73.2% of his passes.
Freshman standout Jeremiah Smith has showcased his talent throughout the season, accumulating 39 receptions for 678 yards and eight touchdowns, although he did not score in the recent victory over Penn State, ending a streak of seven consecutive games with at least one touchdown. Senior receiver Emeka Egbuka adds depth with 46 receptions for 577 yards and seven touchdowns.
On the ground, Ohio State is averaging 185.6 rushing yards per game, feature a strong tandem in junior Quinshon Judkins and senior TreVeyon Henderson, who have combined for over 1,100 rushing yards this season. The offensive line has been pivotal in maintaining momentum, demonstrated by their 176 rushing yards against Penn State.
Defensively, Ohio State ranks among the best in the nation, allowing only 12.0 points and 256.4 yards per game. Key players include junior safety Sonny Styles and senior defensive end JT Tuimoloau, who have made significant contributions in tackles and sacks.
Ohio State has a storied history against Purdue, leading the all-time series 42-15-2 and remaining unbeaten (8-0) against the Boilermakers at home since 1989.
On the other side, the Boilermakers (1-7, 0-5 Big Ten) are struggling this season, having lost their last seven games after an initial victory over Indiana State. Their offensive challenges are evident, as they rank near the bottom in scoring and overall offense.
If Purdue is to find their momentum, they will need standout performances from senior quarterback Hudson Card and an emerging talent like sophomore receiver CJ Smith, who recently contributed in their overtime loss against Northwestern.
While recent statistics favor the Buckeyes, historical moments remind them of the unpredictability of college football. The Buckeyes need to maintain their focus to avoid any surprises from this determined Purdue team, who historically have pulled off unexpected wins.
Today’s matchup promises to be an exciting contest, and fans can catch the action live or stream it at no cost through the recommended services.
With a championship spirit and the opportunity to build on their winning momentum, Ohio State fans have much to look forward to as they cheer on their team this afternoon.