Purdue Boilermakers at No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes: Preview, prediction, TV info

Purdue (3-3, 0-2 Big Ten) at No. 7 Ohio State (7-0, 3-0)

Kickoff: Saturday, Noon ET (ABC)

Spread: Ohio State by 18.5

Watchability: This one could get ugly, early. The Boilermakers have scored a combined 27 points the past two games, and Ohio State's defense is playing in front of their home fans after taking criticism from across the country the past few weeks. Expect an inspired Buckeyes defense to be the cornerstone of a blowout win.

Shining stars: Purdue: WR Antavian Edison is the team's top receiving threat with 31 catches for 371 yards and five touchdowns. The senior has caught at least three passes in each game and has nine rushing attempts for 24 yards. Ohio State: QB Braxton Miller has passed for 1,271 yards, 11 touchdowns and four interceptions. He's rushed for a team-high 912 yards with nine touchdowns. Miller is one of the best open-field runners in the country, but coach Urban Meyer likely will try to minimize the number of hits he takes against Purdue.

Who could steal the show: Purdue: DT Kawann Short showed why he's a top NFL prospect last week when he blocked his school-record sixth career field goal attempt. Short has 20 tackles, including nine for loss, to go with four sacks and a forced fumble. Ohio State: DB Bradley Roby might be the best defensive player in the conference. Roby has 33 tackles, 12 passes defended, two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a blocked kick. He will get chances to make plays in space against Purdue.

Magic number for Purdue: 2. Wins in the past 60 years for the Boilermakers at Ohio Stadium. Purdue last left Columbus with a victory in 1988 when it won 31-26.

Magic number for Ohio State: 20. Drives of at least 70 yards for the Buckeyes this season -- and all resulting in a touchdown. Ohio State had just nine such drives last year.

The game comes down to: Can Purdue stop the run? The Boilermakers picked a bad stretch to stop defending the run. Purdue was steamrolled by Michigan and Wisconsin as they allowed 771 combined rushing yards in those losses. Now, the Buckeyes' dynamic rushing attack comes calling. Ohio State is averaging nearly 264 yards per game on the ground.

Eye on College Football's take: Purdue has to figure out something nobody else in the Big Ten has done yet: how do you stop Braxton Miller? -- Tom Fornelli

Prediction: Ohio State 48, Purdue 17

For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big Ten bloggers Dave Carey and Mike Singer, follow @CBSSportsBigTen.