Offense, defense, special teams — it didn’t matter in this one. Everyone got in on the fun.
The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes avoided the November slip-up after a big win, taking down Purdue 45-0 in a game that felt comfortable the whole way. The Buckeyes move to 8-1 with matchups left at Northwestern and at home against Indiana and Michigan.
Here is who and what we are buying and selling after the team’s eighth win of the season.
Blue Chip
Special teams big plays
I wasn’t sure the special teams were capable of making a big play, but they jumpstarted the game in this one with a punt block. Normally, I am just holding my breath that nothing catastrophic happens on punts and kicks, but this was refreshing to see.
More good special team plays, less bad ones.
Solid Investments
Defense
The Ohio State defense has not given up an offensive touchdown since around the eight minute mark in the fourth quarter against Nebraska. That is 128 minutes of game time.
Jim Knowles’ group has shown that while it may give up some yards, it is one of the best red zone defenses in the country, and has only given up 64 points across the Buckeyes’ eight wins. This defense is real and can win a national championship.
J.T. Tuimoloau
Tuimoloau has taken some heat from the media and the fans for his sometimes lack of production and impact, but he is known for the big games. When those happen, he shows just how talented he can be.
This wasn’t on that scale, but he was impactful from the first snap and forced a fumble that allowed Jack Sawyer to get his first touchdown on the scoop and score.
Junk Bond
Playing Devin Brown over Julian Sayin
Julian Sayin will be the starting quarterback next season, and the Buckeyes will open the season with Texas next year. Every rep that Brown takes over Sayin is one rep wasted instead of getting Sayin ready for 2025.
I understand Brown being the backup because he is more familiar with the system and more experienced, but Sayin needs to get more reps to get ready for next season.
Buy/Sell
Buy: Lathan Ransom
Caleb Downs is one of the best defenders in the country, but Lathan Ransom is also having a phenomenal year, and it is going a little under the radar because of how good Downs is.
Ransom is having his best season, punctuating his stellar campaign with an interception against Purdue.
Buy: Eddrick Houston
In the highly coveted freshman’s first start, he did not disappoint. He was credited with three tackles, but he made an impact on seemingly every run stop the Buckeyes had and was a force on the interior.
He did make one freshman mistake, an unnecessary roughness penalty on a third down stop, but he will learn from that. His play on the field was fun to watch, and the future is bright with him and Kayden McDonald in the middle.
Sell: College Football Playoff hypotheticals
Normally, I love playing the hypothetical game and looking toward the future. However, after five days of the CFP rankings being out for the first year of the 12-team playoff, I am already sick of the future talk. There is still so much football to be played, and we can play the scenario game when we get closer to the final rankings.
Right now, it is a lot.