First Look: Ohio State

Here’s an early look at Purdue’s 10th opponent of the 2025 season, the Ohio State Buckeyes:

Date/Time: Saturday, November 8, 1 p.m. EST

Location: Ross-Ade Stadium

Surface: Bermuda Grass

Capacity: 61,441 (tickets)

Weather: The early forecast shows a high of 62 with a chance of showers

2025 schedules/rosters: Purdue schedule | Purdue roster | Ohio State schedule | Ohio State roster

Series notes: While Ohio State leads the all-time series 42-15-2, some of Purdue’s finest hours came in wins over the Buckeyes. Since the turn of the century, Purdue owns five victories over Ohio State, all coming in West Lafayette (2000, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2018). No Purdue fan will ever forget the dramatic victories in 2000 and 2018, and few Purdue upset victories came as unexpectedly as the 2009 stunning of then-No. 7 Ohio State. Since the fateful night in 2018, the Buckeyes hold a three-game win streak over Purdue with an average margin of victory of 35.67 points. Ohio State, however, will be trying to post its first consecutive wins in Ross-Ade Stadium in 29 years, since the Buckeyes prevailed in the 1993 and ’96 contests played in West Lafayette under OSU coach John Cooper.

Purdue is facing a No. 1-ranked team for the first time in Ross-Ade Stadium since Nov. 6, 1976, when the Boilermakers ruined legendary Wolverines’ coach Bo Schembechler’s best chance at a national championship with a 16-14 upset. The Boilermakers last faced a top-ranked squad 36 years ago, losing at Notre Dame 37-11 on Sept. 29, 1990. The last No. 1 team to play in Ross-Ade was a year earlier, when Lou Holtz’s Fighting Irish beat Fred Akers’ Boilermakers 40-7.

All-time, Purdue is 7-11 overall against No. 1 teams, beating Notre Dame in four of those games, and Minnesota (1960 in Minneapolis; 23-14), Michigan State (1957 in East Lansing; 20-14) and the aforementioned win over Michigan. Purdue is 3-5 all-time against No. 1-ranked teams in Ross-Ade with its two additional wins over Notre Dame (1965, 1967).

TV: BTN

Early line: Ohio State -28.5, O/U 48.5

STORYLINES TO WATCH

Dominant stretch from Ohio State

The college football world watched in awe last November as Michigan went into Columbus and stunned the Buckeyes. Ohio State entered as nearly a three-touchdown favorite, but it dropped a 13-10 shocker. Fans in scarlet and grey began to ask questions about the direction of the program and the future of Ryan Day following Ohio State’s fourth straight loss to their arch rival.

Since then, the Buckeyes have been nothing short of dominant. They ripped through the College Football Playoff to earn a national championship, redeeming themselves from the Michigan loss. Ohio State holds the No. 1 ranking in the AP Poll behind an 8-0 start to the season. Only one of Ohio State’s games, the season-opening win over Texas, came by fewer than two scores. No program in America enters this week with more momentum than the reigning national champions.

Elite defense

Although Ohio State lost defensive coordinator Jim Knowles in a high-profile coordinator change last offseason, the defense looks better than ever. No opponent has scored more than two touchdowns this season, and only two of Ohio State’s eight foes have reached double-digit points. The defense dominates at all three levels. Ohio State leads the nation in scoring defense, allowing a mere 6.88 points per game.

So close yet so far

Purdue fell short in Ann Arbor on Saturday, but it undoubtedly came away feeling good about its performance. A 21-point underdog, Purdue lost 21-16, unable to capitalize on opportunities to steal one at Michigan. It added to a list of near misses from Purdue, including heartbreaking defeats to Minnesota and Rutgers. While a breaking the 15-game Big Ten losing streak looks unlikely this weekend, Purdue continues to inch closer to breaking through.