Ohio State Football: 3 Bold predictions for Purdue game

Ohio State Football: Three bold predictions for Purdue game

Oct. 7, 2023; Columbus, Oh., USA;Ohio State Buckeyes safety Lathan Ransom (8) celebrates with Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Denzel Burke (10) and Ohio State Buckeyes safety Josh Proctor (41) after intercepting off a pass during the second half of Saturday's NCAA Division I football game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium. /

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The Ohio State football team has leaned on its defense so far this season. /

No. 2) Ohio State football linebackers have big games

There’s been a lot of talk recently about the poor play of Ohio State’s linebackers. Tommy Eichenberg came into the season on everyone’s preseason All-American list and Steele Chambers was on every All-Big Ten team. Through five games, that has not been the case.

The main point of emphasis is that they are not filling the right gaps when it comes to the run defense. Against Notre Dame and last week against Maryland, it was pretty obvious that they were either in the wrong places or they were not shedding their blocks.

You better be assured that they are hearing all the noise. And they are going to want to shut people up this Saturday in West Lafayette. Purdue tailback Devin Mockobee ran for 89 yards last week against a pretty stout Iowa run defense. I don’t believe he will sniff that week.

Look for the defensive front seven to dominate the day and these linebackers in particular. I think Eichenberg will get 15 total tackles and Steele Chambers will add an interception on way to a big defensive day for the Buckeyes.

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