Phew!

Okay, I wasn't really nervous. But I was intrigued to see how the Buckeyes would handle this one. Maybe there's something in the water at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana. Maybe there's some sort of black and gold Spoilermaker voodoo brewing every time Ohio State has to play there. But whatever it is, Purdue gets my attention. They're an even 5-5 vs. Ohio State at Ross-Ade Stadium since 2000, and have knocked the Buckeyes off a handful of times when they've been highly ranked like they are this season. I was wary of that happening again today.

But Julian Sayin, Jeremiah Smith, and the rest of the Buckeyes made sure that didn't happen this season, as Ohio State climbs to 9-0 on the season, and 6-0 in Big Ten play! How'd they get the job done? Let's take a look!

Handling things with an all-business mentality

I don't usually put a mindset as a Key to Victory. Usually the Buckeyes are already dialed in by nature. That's how championship-winning teams play.

But because it's Purdue, I had to put this one on the list. They worry me. If Ohio State had come in lackadaisical or took Purdue lightly, the Boilermakers could've handed them another head-scratching loss. But the intensity was there for four full quarters, and they took care of business as expected. Once the Buckeyes found their rhythm and got rolling, they didn't take their foot off the gas.

And the next Key to Victory was the big reason why Ohio State was able to keep the pedal to the metal!

The Heisman Hopeful Connection

I'm just gonna say it: We're so spoiled as fans. There's an embarrassment of riches all over this team, but especially here. How many teams have not just one but TWO legitimate Heisman Trophy contenders on their roster? Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith both looked the part today. If these two keep it up, they'll both have a serious chance to end up in New York in early December.

Minus one bad throw that led to an interception, Sayin was on again today, going 27-33 for 303 yards and a touchdown. And that one touchdown was a beauty!

Even though Purdue had Jeremiah Smith covered with multiple defenders, Sayin put the football where only Smith could come down with it. He set his feet, uncorked a 35-yard bomb, and trusted the best receiver in America. And Jeremiah didn't disappoint.

But even on plays that weren't for scores, Jeremiah kept the chains moving for Ohio State, hauling in 10 catches for 137 yards on the day. This was also his ninth career 100-yard game. Or in other words, Jeremiah Smith is just continuing to do Jeremiah Smith things. The scary thing is I don't think Sayin and Smith have even remotely hit their ceiling. That'll come if the Buckeyes keep rolling right into the College Football Playoff.

But I do know one underrated weapon could make the Buckeyes even tougher to beat come playoff time if they can really get going.

Letting the running game work

Woody Hayes would smile at this one. No, the offense isn't "three yards and a cloud of dust" like it used to be in his day. But Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline decided to run the ball 43 times, and it worked pretty well overall.

Yes, it is Purdue. But if you're ever going to polish the running game up, now's the time in the schedule to do it. The Buckeyes have three weeks until they travel north for The Game. Pounding the rock against bad or beatable teams can only help in the long run for the battles with the Wolverines, a possible clash with Indiana, and the CFP. And that's exactly what Ohio State did today.

Bo Jackson led the charge for the Buckeyes on the ground with 75 yards on 14 carries. Was it flashy? No. But I'd like to see more of that going forward when Ohio State needs to set the tone physically from here on out. Yes, the offense is explosive, and they should stay that way too. But there's nothing wrong with going back to basics every once in a while to surprise people.

Overall, the Buckeyes ran the ball 43 times for 170 yards and three touchdowns, with CJ Donaldson, the West Virginia transfer, punching it in the endzone twice in short-yardage situations. It was a very workmanlike effort from our running backs today.

And it was an all-business win for Ohio State as a whole. They took care of a bad team when they were supposed to and climbed to 9-0 on the season, while getting some quality work in. Can't do much more than that!

Next up, the Buckeyes host UCLA on November 15th in the 'Shoe in a night game. But until then, GO BUCKS!

Statistical Leaders

Julian Sayin: 27-33, 303 yards, TD, INT

Bo Jackson: 14 carries, 75 yards

Jeremiah Smith: 10 receptions, 137 yards, TD

Sources

ESPN, Eleven Warriors

Picture Credit

oobg.com