Buckeyes steam Boilermakers,Devils declaw Panthers

The Ohio State Buckeyes had little trouble controlling the high powered Purdue offense and the offense did just enough to get by as the Buckeyes won at West Lafayette 23-7.
Todd Boeckman tossed touchdown passes on the first two drives of the game but made mistakes thereafter in throwing 3 interceptions.
One TD pass went to Ray Small on a 26-yard pass, while Brian Hartline caught the other on a six-yard dart.
Ryan Pretorius booted three field goals of 23,39 and 44 yards for the remainder of the Ohio State scoring.
The defense allowed plenty of passing yardage to Curtis Painter, but no points other than a meaningless touchdown with ten seconds to go.
Ohio State should move to 3rd in the polls after USC's loss to Stanford, but I still have concerns about the offense.
This game should have been a far larger win, receivers were open deep and Boeckman just didn't put the ball where it needed to be.
The running game was fine with Chris and Maurice Wells splitting the carries and each finishing with over 75 yards.
Chris Wells needs to take some time off for his balky ankle to heal and hopefully, Jim Tressel will consider sitting him next week as the Buckeyes return home against Kent State.
A good road win, but some things still need to be smoothed over with the tougher teams on the schedule looming down the road.

The New Jersey Devils won their first game of the Brent Sutter era in a dominating 4-1 win over the Florida Panthers.
Kevin Weekes played in place of Martin Brodeur and stopped 31 of 32 Panther shots.
Brodeur had to return home on Friday, due to undisclosed reasons and Sutter decided to go with Weekes, who was up to the task in getting the win.
John Madden scored goals in each of the first two periods, one on the power play, while Andy Greene added a power-play goal in the second period.
Mike Mottau concluded the scoring with a 3rd-period goal.
Sutter did some line tinkering, as David Clarkson moved up to the Elias line, while Nicklas Bergfors was scratched in favor of Mike Rupp.
Sutter also reunited John Madden and Jay Pandolfo.
Good move, as any observer can see that they are much more comfortable on the same line than separated.
The Devils play Ottawa on Monday afternoon at 3.

Bullpen Notes

Manny Pacquiao kept his WBC Jr. Lightweight belt with a lopsided unanimous decision over Marco Antonio Barrera.
More on the fight next week when I can score it off the HBO replay.

Boo to Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema on a two-week-old item.
After the Badgers night game home win over Iowa two weeks ago, Bielema crowed about the great night game environment at Camp Randall Stadium.
I watched the game and it certainly was.
And the Badgers have great fans and Camp Randall is a fun place to watch a game.
But he then added," we can do these games here anytime, but not on the road, I won't allow it".
Road night games are tough, coach and I know the UNLV game had to scare you, but if you want to be a top program-you welcome challenges-you don't refuse them.

The Browns travel to Foxboro to battle the Patriots in their toughest task of the season.
Can they win?
Yes, if everything falls perfectly.
Will they?
Kinda doubt it
Our Pick-Patriots 35-14.

The Seahawks travel to Pittsburgh for a battle against the
Steelers.
Both teams need this game.
Seattle to prove that they can win against a good team on the road.
Pittsburgh to prove they can win over a team with a pulse.
Really is too close to call but in a squeaker.
Our Pick-Seahawks 21-20.

The Indians go for the sweep of the Yankees tonight at 6:30.
Jake Westbrook for Cleveland vs Roger Clemens of New York.

Photo Credits
OSU-Purdue-Neal Lauron-Columbus Dispatch
Devils-Lynne Sladky-AP Photo
Helmets-Helmet Project