NO. 4 OHIO STATE (5-0) AT NO. 23 PURDUE (5-0)
* Kickoff: Saturday 5 p.m.
* TV: ESPN GamePlan on West Coast.
* Line: Ohio State by 7.
* Ohio State update: The Buckeyes have won 23 consecutive regular-season games. This season, they have been dominant on defense, ranking No. 2 nationally at 197.6 yards a game and No. 3 in scoring defense at 7.2 points. Last week, they held Minnesota to minus-2 rushing yards in the second half of a 30-7 victory. Quarterback Todd Boeckman leads an efficient offense that is averaging 35.8 points for the season and 44 in two Big Ten games.
* Purdue update: The Boilermakers made their 2007 top-25 debut this week after averaging 45.4 points and 495.8 yards through their first five games. Both marks are among the nation’s top 10. Quarterback Curtis Painter is second in the nation with 18 touchdown passes. Defensive inconsistency has been a problem for Purdue, which hasn’t given up a first-half touchdown since its season opener but has given up at least three in the second half the last three weeks.
* Story line: It’s the only game between undefeated teams this week. Purdue hasn’t started 6-0 since 1943 and could get into the top-10 with a victory. Ohio State hasn’t really been tested yet, so this should give an indication of whether or not the Buckeyes are national title contenders.
* The pick: Ohio State. The Buckeyes defense will be tested on the road but will come up with a key fourth-quarter stop.
- Peter Yoon
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