Before each Ohio State game, Eleven Warriors catches up with a media member who covers the opposing team to get his or her perspective on the Buckeyes' upcoming opponent.
As Ohio State prepares to play Purdue this week for the first time since the Boilermakers’ win over the Buckeyes in 2018, we welcome back Mike Carmin of The Journal & Courier to get his insight on the team that will be coming to Columbus looking for another upset win over Ohio State this week.
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| #19 PURDUE BOILERMAKERS |
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6-3 (4-2 B1G) ROSTER / SCHEDULE |
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3:30 P.M. – SATURDAY, NOV. 13 OHIO STADIUM COLUMBUS, OHIO |
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Purdue has already won two games this season against teams who were ranked in the top five at the time it played them with its 24-7 win over Iowa on Oct. 16 and its 40-29 win over Michigan State last week. Do the Boilermakers really have what it takes to pull off another top-five upset over Ohio State this week, though?
Carmin isn't sure that they do, but he explains below what Purdue’s formula for winning big games has been, how David Bell has made a Rondale Moore-like impact for the Boilermakers this season, which other Purdue players to watch in Saturday’s game, what’s keyed the Boilermakers’ defensive success this year and more.
Purdue has already won two games against top-five teams this season, building upon its track record of big upset wins. How do the Boilermakers – or should I say Spoilermakers – keep doing this?
Carmin: Not to diminish anything Purdue has accomplished but Iowa wasn't the second-best team in the country when the Boilermakers beat the Hawkeyes. Good team but not No. 2. If Sean Clifford doesn't get injured, Penn State likely wins that game and the Hawkeyes are near No. 10.
Saying that, Purdue has a formula for winning these games: Ball control on offense, solid play from quarterback Aidan O'Connell, winning time of possession, making David Bell the centerpiece of the passing game and creating takeaways on defense. Michigan State's weakness is its pass defense and Jeff Brohm and O'Connell shredded it to pieces.
One of Purdue’s most famous upset wins was its 49-20 victory over Ohio State in the last meeting between the two teams. Did that win help the Boilermakers get where they are now?
Carmin: It didn't create the momentum everyone thought. Coming into this season, Purdue was just 8-16 since that victory and a lot of people questioned the direction of the program and if Brohm could get it back to his first two seasons when they went to bowl games. He made a lot of changes to the defensive coaching staff and those moves have paid off since the defense carried this team through the early part of the season.
Ohio State fans remember Rondale Moore carving up the Buckeyes’ defense in 2018, and David Bell has made a similar impact in both of Purdue’s big wins this year. How does Bell compare to Moore, and what makes him so dangerous?
Carmin: I think they're different players but they get the same results. Rondale is more of a slot player who uses his speed, quickness to create big plays on short passes. Yes, he can stretch the field but he's so hard to tackle in the open field because of his strength, especially his lower body. Bell is a perimeter-type of a receiver who can also play the slot but is best suited on the outside. Purdue stretches the field with Bell more than it did with Rondale. Bell's ability to win those 50/50 balls and make hard catches look easy speaks to his overall talent level.
Who are some other Purdue players to watch in this game?
Carmin: O'Connell, the quarterback, is enjoying a good stretch where he's completed at least 74% of his passes during the last four games. Milton Wright is a receiver to look out for and can produce big plays across the middle.
Defensively, George Karlaftis is one of the best defensive ends in the Big Ten and the country. His sack numbers don't jump off the page but his ability to impact the quarterback and knock him off his spot has been crucial for the Boilermakers this season. Teams usually commit two blockers to Karlaftis, creating opportunities for their defensive line to win one-on-one matchups.
Safety Cam Allen has four interceptions and outside linebacker Jalen Graham has developed into a key member of the defense.
George Karlaftis is the star of Purdue’s defense. (Photo: Nikos Frazier/Journal & Courier via Imagn Content Services, LLC)
Purdue ranks 16th nationally in points allowed per game and 26th nationally in yards allowed per game. What’s been the Boilermakers’ key to success defensively?
Carmin: As a group, Purdue has played more aggressively on defense than the past two seasons and that changed when Brohm brought in a new staff. The new assistants are veterans – two are former head coaches (Brad Lambert and Ron English) – and they've brought a lot of experience to that side of the ball.
This is what Brohm wanted the defense to look like and it’s lived up to his vision. Led by Karlaftis, the defensive line is the strength and the secondary has held up by playing tighter coverage. They've given up rushing yardage, including nearly 300 to Wisconsin, and they'll have problems keeping Ohio State's offense in check.
Purdue’s most obvious weakness is its rushing offense, which ranks dead last in the FBS with only 2.39 yards per carry. What’s held the Boilermakers back in the ground game?
Carmin: An average offensive line, which has been pretty good in pass protection, and the lack of a dynamic running back. Purdue has played most of the season with one scholarship running back, King Doerue, after Zander Horvath suffered a broken fibula in the second game at UConn.
Brohm has tried just about everything to generate a running game – rotating more mobile quarterbacks for one or two plays, moving receivers to the backfield and using the screen game to simulate a running game. It's slowly come around since Horvath has returned and Jackson Anthrop, a receiver, is getting more snaps at running back. Brohm has also committed to running the ball more but understands that his passing game will be the difference.
Ohio State is a 20-point favorite for Saturday’s game. Can Purdue pull off another stunner, or will the magic run out this week?
Carmin: The magic likely runs out since Ohio State is in a different class and talent level than Iowa and Michigan State and any other team they've played this season. Purdue has gained enough confidence throughout the year to make it competitive but the Buckeyes have too many weapons for this team to deal with. Plus, the surprise element is no longer a factor. Every opponent is on high alert for the Boilermakers. Brohm will find some holes to exploit but will need other players besides Bell to make plays offensively.
