GAME NOTES: The fourth-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes will attempt to remain unbeaten this weekend as they take on the 23rd-ranked Purdue Boilermakers in West Lafayette. Ohio State improved to 5-0 with a 30-7 romp over Minnesota last weekend. The Buckeyes have won their first two Big Ten games by an 88-14 margin and have surrendered just 36 points all season. They have plenty of tests remaining on the schedule, including Penn State and Michigan on the road, but this Ohio State club appears to be better than some expected. As for Purdue, it also carries a 5-0 mark into this contest, the best start for the program since 2004. The most recent victory came last weekend by a 33-19 final over Notre Dame. Prior to that contest, the Boilermakers had posted at least 45 points in every game this season, as the offense has been among the nation's best. Ohio State owns a 35-12-2 series lead over Purdue, but the Boilermakers won the most recent meeting by a score of 24-17 in 2004.

Ohio State is averaging 35.8 ppg this season while racking up 423.2 total ypg, as the club has achieved tremendous offensive balance. Todd Boeckman has been asked to perform a task that many would find extremely intimidating, as he is replacing a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback. Boeckman has been nothing short of outstanding, as he has completed 65.2 percent of his passes for 969 yards and 12 touchdowns with only three interceptions. The top receiver for the Buckeyes is Brian Robiskie, who has made 25 catches for 530 yards and six touchdowns. Leading the ground attack is Chris Wells, who has rushed for 540 yards and five touchdowns. Two of those touchdowns came last week in the win over Minnesota, as Wells finished with 116 yards. As for the passing attack, Boeckman threw a pair of touchdowns and finished with 209 yards without throwing an interception.

As impressive as the Ohio State offense has been thus far, the team's defense has been even better. The Buckeyes are only surrendering 7.2 ppg and 197.6 total ypg, staggering figures for a program that prides itself on tough defense. Opponents have found no room to run the football against Ohio State, which is allowing a miniscule average of 55.0 ypg and 1.8 yards per carry. Only one rushing touchdown has been scored against the Buckeyes through 20 quarters, and they are permitting a lowly 7.9 yards per pass completion. James Laurinaitis has been a force as expected, as the standout linebacker has made 43 tackles, including three sacks, while registering a pair of interceptions. Ohio State permitted 45 rushing yards last week against Minnesota, which managed only seven points against one of the nation's premier defensive units.

Purdue is racking up 45.4 ppg and 495.8 total ypg, numbers that are sure to get the attention of even the best opponents. Averaging over five yards per carry on the ground, the Boilermakers have been able to impose their will on foes thus far. While eight rushing touchdowns have been registered, 18 scores have come through the air. All of those scoring strikes have come from the arm of Curtis Painter, who has been nothing short of Heisman-like through five outings. Painter has completed 67 percent of his passes for 1,542 yards with only three interceptions, while his favorite target, Dorien Bryant, has already made 40 catchers for 450 yards and four touchdowns. The ground attack is spearheaded by Kory Sheets, as he has rushed for 515 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 5.8 ypc. Sheets ran for 141 yards and a touchdown in the victory over Notre Dame last weekend. Bryant played strong as usual, making eight grabs for 82 yards and a touchdown. As for Painter, he threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns, but he was intercepted twice.

Opponents are posting 20.4 ppg and 384.4 total ypg against a Purdue defense that can best be described as mediocre. Sure, many of the yards and points posted by the opposition have come late in games long after the final outcome had been determined, but there is still plenty of room for the Boilermakers to improve. Stanford Keglar and Terrell Vinson are tied for the team lead with 34 tackles apiece. Notre Dame was able to rack up 426 total yards against Purdue while scoring three passing touchdowns. Fortunately, three takeaways helped the Boilermakers hold on for the win. They limited the Fighting Irish to 49 rushing yards, and the players can certainly take some pride in that stat.

Go with Ohio State on the road this weekend, as the Buckeyes are a much better defensive team than Purdue. Still, don't expect a blowout, as the Boilermakers will hang tough for four quarters.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Ohio State 27, Purdue 17