Buckeyes beat Boilers by lots of points…while Sparty looks like team of “destiny”

Last week was obviously a tough one for OSU.  While it doesn’t completely numb the sting of getting knocked off the number one spot by Wisconsin, it was nevertheless good to see the Buckeyes bounce back today against Purdue (4-3, 2-1). 

The Buckeyes (7-1, 3-1) led 42-0 at the half, gained over five football fields worth of yardage, scored three TD’s by air, three on the ground, and won 49-0.  In doing so, they also avenged last season’s lone conference loss which came at the hands of Purdue.

A good day overall to be sure for the guy who’s made sleeveless sweaters fashionable, but a day almost made better by the Northwestern Wildcats.  

The Buckeyes don’t play Michigan State this season, and the Spartans came into today’s game with Northwestern  undefeated in conference play.  So someone other than the Bucks would have to hand the seventh ranked team in the country their first conference loss for OSU to play for a share of the Big Ten title this season.

Northwestern was almost that someone other than the Bucks to knock off Sparty today…just up until they didn’t though.

It was an admirable upset attempt by the Wildcats nevertheless (falling 35-27), and I really thought Coach Fitz was about to get this one.  In the end though, MSU proved to be too good and too resourceful.  They stayed unbeaten in conference, and moved to 8-0 overall with National Championship aspirations in addition to a Big Ten Title. 

Whether they’ll navigate their way into the title game or not though remains to be seen, but ESPN’s Chris Speilman was impressed.  Said Speilman of the Spartans during the broadcast with MSU leading 35-27 as the final 44 seconds ticked away:   

“You almost get that feeling that they’re that quote on quote team of destiny after all they’ve been through.  They’ve persevered through some very difficult situations.”

And it’s tough to argue that point…unfortunately for Buckeye fans with hopes of a Big Ten Title.

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OSU – Purdue Game Notes:

– The Buckeyes had three guys throw a pass today:  Pryor went 16 of 22 for 271 and 3 TD’s…he also threw two picks.  Bauserman went 2 for 2 for 30 yards and a TD, and Kenny Guiton completed one pass for five yards.

– OSU had six guys run the football in addition to the three QB’s.  Herron scored twice, on 16 carries for 74 yards and Jordan Hall scored the third rushing TD.

– Sanzenbacher and Posey each caught four balls for just over 80 yards and two TD’s.  The Buckeyes had 11 different guys catch a pass.

– Purdue’s two QB’s were bad.  Henry and Robinson combined to go 15 of 28 for 89 yards, 0 TD’s and 2 INT’s.

Next up for the Buckeyes is a road trip to Minnesota next weekend.