Ohio State Buckeyes Heavily Favored Against Struggling Purdue Boilermakers in Week 11 College Football Matchup

The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes are set to host the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The game, scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. ET kickoff, will be broadcast on FOX.

Ohio State, with a strong 7-1 record and 4-1 in the Big Ten, is heavily favored against the struggling Purdue team, which stands at 1-7 and 0-5 in the Big Ten. The Buckeyes are coming off a significant 20-13 win against then-No. 3 Penn State, solidifying their position as national championship contenders[4][5].

The current odds have Ohio State as a 37.5-point favorite, with the over/under set at 53 points. This significant spread reflects the stark contrast between the two teams’ performances this season. Ohio State boasts a robust defense, allowing just 12.0 points per game, which is the third-fewest in the country. In contrast, Purdue’s offense has been struggling, ranking 119th in points per game with an average of 20.2 points[3][4].

Ohio State’s defense has been particularly impressive, holding every opponent to 17 points or fewer except for Oregon. The Buckeyes’ offense, led by senior quarterback Will Howard and standout receivers Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka, has been clicking on all fronts, averaging 37.8 points per game.

Purdue, on the other hand, is on a seven-game losing streak and has not beaten a power-conference opponent this season. Despite some competitive efforts, including taking then-No. 23 Illinois to overtime, the Boilermakers face a daunting task against Ohio State’s formidable defense[4].

The betting trends suggest that the under 53.5 points is a strong bet, given Ohio State’s defensive prowess and Purdue’s offensive struggles. Additionally, Ohio State has stayed under the total in five of its last eight home games, indicating a potential low-scoring affair[3].