QUARTERBACKS
OSU -Braxton Miller had another high-scoring game for the Buckeyes against Indiana. The sophomore had 360 yards of total offense, with two touchdown passes and a 67-yard touchdown run. On the season, he has 912 yards rushing and 1,271 yards passing for a combined 20 touchdowns.
PURDUE - Fifth-year senior Caleb TerBush leads the Boilermakers under center. He's not a runner, only gaining 35 yards rushing this season (100 yards gained, 65 yards lost). He's passed for 716 yards on 74-of-121 passing. He's also thrown for eight touchdowns.
EDGE - OSU
RUNNING BACKS
OSU - Carlos Hyde has been brilliant in the last two games. Against Indiana, Hyde had a second consecutive career high in rushing yards with 156, an average of 7.1 yards per carry. He rushed in a 1-yard score and caught a 14-yard pass for a TD. The development of Hyde has made the Ohio State rushing attack a truly lethal weapon.
PURDUE - A pair of Akeems lead the Boilermakers on the ground. Akeem Shavers had 77 rushes for 354 yards. Akeem Hunt has 23 carries for 257 yards. In all, Purdue is averaging 165 yards on the ground per game.
EDGE - OSU
RECEIVERS
OSU - The receiving corps for Ohio State definitely has its roles defined. Corey Brown is the dependable one, while Devin Smith is the big-play guy. Brown had six catches for 51 yards against the Hoosiers, while Smith had two receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Purdue is allowing 212 yards per game in the air, so expect another big day from this receiving corps.
PURDUE - Junior receiver O.J. Smith has 38 catches this season for 299 yards, with an average of 6.3 yards per reception. He is second in the Big Ten for receptions per game. Also for Purdue, TerBush will get the ball to Antavian Edison, who has 31 catches for 371 yards this season.
EDGE - OSU
OFFENSIVE LINE
OSU - With the offense putting out a massive number of yards from week to week, that means the line is doing its job. In the last two games, the line has allowed the offense to rush for 724 yards and nine touchdowns. It would be nice for Miller to be a little more protected, as the line has given up 13 sacks this season, but the offensive power the Buckeyes have can't be denied.
PURDUE - This season, Purdue has allowed 15 sacks, losing the offense a total of 124 yards. Also, the rushing game is ranked is seventh in the Big Ten. Both of those stats reflect solely on the production of the offensive line. Ohio State comes into the game with 16 sacks on the season, so this unit better be ready.
EDGE - OSU
DEFENSIVE LINE
OSU - Here is where the problems start coming for the Buckeyes. The defense has been addressed all week by coach Urban Meyer. Out of all the defensive units, the line is probably in the best shape. Cardinal Mooney graduate John Simon has been playing great in the last two games and the unit is only allowing 122 yards rushing per game.
PURDUE -Purdue comes into the game allowing 199.5 yards rushing per game - 11th in the Big Ten. A statistic like this has to make the Buckeyes smile. Defensive tackle Kawann Short leads the Boilermakers with four sacks.
EDGE - OSU
LINEBACKERS
OSU -You know things are bad when a veteran fullback is listed as a co-starter in your linebacking corps. Well, that's the situation this week with the Buckeyes. Zach Boren, who has started for three and a half years for OSU?at fullback is listed as co-starter with Storm Klein at middle linebacker. Luckily, Ryan Shazier is still there for OSU as he is the leading tackler. This unit can't afford any more injuries.
PURDUE - Will linebacker Will Lucas leads the Boilermakers with 33 tackles, 3.5 for loss. As a whole, the Boilermaker defense is ranked 11th in the Big Ten in total defense. As roughed up as the Buckeyes linebackers are, this is probably the one week it shouldn't effect them too bad.
EDGE - Even (due to injuries).
DEFENSIVE BACKS
OSU -The secondary is giving up 277.7 yards per game. That's a lot. Indiana's spread offense last week killed the Buckeyes, and the unit won't get any rest this week either as Purdue is averaging 221.5 yards passing a game. Also, with the linebackers in a state of flux, there won't be much help. This unit needs to get better and fast.
PURDUE - This is the one area the Boilermakers clearly beat the Buckeyes. Purdue is allowing 212.5 yards per game in the air and has nine interceptions.Strong safety Landon Feichter has 32 tackles this season and three interceptions.
EDGE - Purdue
SPECIALISTS
OSU -The special teams for the Buckeyes have been playing very well as of late. Last week, Travis Howard blocked a punt, which Brandon Roby recovered for a touchdown. Plays like that are game changers. Drew Basil actually had a chance to kick some field goals last week, in which he went 1 of 2, both from 35 yards. Punter Ben Buchanan had a great game last week, averaging 45.7 yards per punt.
PURDUE - Punter Cody Webster has pinned 15 of his 28 punts this season inside the 20 and averages 43.3 yards per punt. His long is 72 yards. Kicker Paul Griggs has made all three of his field goal attempts, all from the 30-39 yard range. The return game is average at best in returns.
EDGE - OSU
PREDICTION
It's no secret the defense has to get better. Allowing Indiana to almost come back and win last week was a joke. The offense has been doing a great job of keeping the Buckeyes perfect on the season, but when the time comes that a defense is able to stop the Buckeyes, Ohio State might be in trouble. Luckily for the boys in Columbus, I don't see this week being the game that will give the Buckeyes trouble. However, it is a great game to get things figured out on the defensive side.
OSU, 55-34.
Twitter: @DanaSulonenTrib
