Eric Boggs
Ohio State once again proved why it remains the unquestioned standard of college football, cruising past Purdue 34-10 on the road to improve to 9-0 on the season. The victory secured the Buckeyes another week atop both the AP and Coaches Polls, earning 55 of 65 first-place votes in the AP and 59 of 63 in the Coaches. They are also expected to hold their grip on the No. 1 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings, leaving little doubt about who sits at the pinnacle of the sport entering Week 12.
Behind quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State’s offense continued to hum, and Matt Patricia’s defense remained as disciplined and suffocating as ever. While a late Purdue touchdown spoiled the Buckeyes’ chance to cover the 29.5-point spread, it did little to tarnish the dominance Ohio State displayed for four quarters. The Boilermakers’ lone touchdown came in the final minutes after the game had long been decided, turning what could have been another betting win into a push for the oddsmakers. Still, at 9-0 overall and 7-2 against the spread, Ohio State remains one of the nation’s most reliable programs both on the field and on the betting board.
Despite the garbage-time blemish, Vegas oddsmakers have shown little hesitation in backing the Buckeyes yet again. The opening line for next Saturday’s home matchup against UCLA has Ohio State favored by 31.5 points, already sliding slightly to 30.5 at several major sportsbooks. The over/under sits at 48.5, suggesting that bookmakers expect another methodical yet dominant performance from Ryan Day’s squad.
UCLA enters the contest with a 3-6 record against the spread and recent struggles against top competition, including a 50-point blowout loss at Indiana just two weeks ago and a narrow defeat to Nebraska on Saturday. The Bruins’ inconsistencies on both sides of the ball have made them vulnerable to explosive teams — a problem that could be amplified against an Ohio State offense that averages more than 40 points per game.
While the Buckeyes are firmly entrenched at No. 1, the rest of the rankings saw some shake-ups. Indiana clung to the No. 2 spot after a close win over Penn State, Oregon slipped a position after surviving Iowa, and Ole Miss moved up despite an unimpressive win over The Citadel. Texas climbed back into the top 10, while Michigan and USC each jumped three spots following Week 11 victories. Cincinnati matched their three-spot rise, while Virginia suffered the biggest drop after a shocking loss to Wake Forest.
The national landscape may continue to shift, but Ohio State remains untouchable. The Buckeyes have outscored opponents by at least three touchdowns in eight straight games, showing precision and depth that few programs can match. Even Purdue head coach Barry Odom admitted after Saturday’s game that the Buckeyes are “setting the standard” in college football — a statement few would dispute.
Next Saturday’s primetime clash against UCLA at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC will mark Ohio State’s third and likely final night game at Ohio Stadium this regular season. With their position as the sport’s measuring stick firmly intact, Ryan Day’s Buckeyes will aim not only to remain unbeaten but to make another emphatic statement under the lights in Columbus.
