Buckeye Bash Boilers

By Adam Kiefaber

I’m always quick to call myself out when I’m wrong and now is one of those times. In Buckeye Lane’s preview, I wrote, “I believe the Buckeyes defense is great, but I still think it is overrated due to the lack of competition.”

Technically that statement was correct. However, the defense stepped up against a very good offensive Purdue team and has the Associated Press stating, “Ohio State’s defense shoved the Buckeyes into the national championship picture on Saturday night.”

Earlier in the week, I predicted that Ohio State would shut down Purdue’s running game and I was actually right about that. The Boilermakers rushed for only four yards the entire game.

When I was watching the game, I kept thinking about how great of a job junior quarterback Todd Boeckman was doing. It made me want to do a blog about how perfect he is playing this season. At the same time, my superstitions wouldn’t allow me to do it. What if Boeckman started to make mistakes in the way of turnovers? Would it be my fault?

Just the thought was damaging enough, as Boeckman went on to throw three second half interceptions. However, as an nonobjective Buckeye blogger, I wasn’t disappointed with any of Boeckman’s INTs. All three were on long passes that pinned Purdue deep in its own territory. All three also had Boeckman going for the kill, as the Buckeyes held a solid lead. With OSU’s defense Boeckman has the opportunity to take risks down the field as long as his team has the lead. Personally, I have no problem with him taking those risks.

The play of wide receiver Ray Small was also encouraging. Small, who began this season with high expectations, caught six passes for 70 yards and had a touchdown.

Freshman cornerback Chimdi Chekwa played extremely well. He finished with 10 tackles.

The Buckeyes out gained Purdue 381-272 in total offense.

The win and USC’s loss to Stanford has the Buckeye sitting pretty at No. 3 in the polls. The dominating defense convinced a couple of voters that Ohio State should be the top-ranked team, as there were two Ohio State votes for the No. 1 slot in the USA Today Poll.

Ohio State shouldn’t have a problem with Kent State this weekend. Hopefully the Buckeyes will still be ready. However, No. 1 LSU has to play a tough Kentucky (No. 17) on the road. No. 2 California will play Oregon State at home.