NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

The 3rd-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (3-0) square off against the Purdue Boilermakers (1-2) in the latest installment of this long-time rivalry. Notre Dame holds a 61-26-2 all-time advantage in this rivalry and will look to win its 11th straight game in the rivalry. Notre Dame will also look to win its 14th straight game overall. 

Notre Dame is also looking to win its third game of the season against a Big Ten opponent. It's a chance for Notre Dame to build on its postseason resume, assuming it can dominate the Boilermakers th way it should.

Location: Ross-Ade Stadium (West Lafayette, Ind.)
Date: Saturday – September 26
Time: 2:00 PM ET
Network: Peacock
Line: Notre Dame -27.5; O/U – 58.5

Here are the Irish Breakdown staff predictions for the game:

BRYAN DRISKELL

Prediction: Notre Dame 62, Purdue 14

Notre Dame's offense has been solid this season, but the unit has yet to truly take off. That should change against a struggling Purdue defense. Or maybe needs to change is a better way of saying that. Purdue is giving up 36.3 points per game through three contests and is coming off giving up 52 points and 645 yards (8.1 YPC) against UCLA. The Bruins rushed for 369 yards and passed for 276 yards against the Boilermakers. With all due respect, UCLA doesn't have Notre Dame's skill talent and it definitely doesn't have a player like CJ Carr at quarterback. There is zero excuse for Notre Dame not to rip up this defense, and I believe they will. Expect the Irish offensive line to build on its second half success against Michigan State and fuel a dynamic – and hopefully explosive – offensive attack.

The Notre Dame defense faces a much tougher test against a Purdue offense that is averaging 39.3 points per game, and one that has scored at least 36 points in each of its three games. Purdue is averaging an impressive 488.7 yards per game and quarterback Ryan Browne has thrown for at least 317 yards in each game so far. Notre Dame's secondary will have to be on top of its game against the Purdue pass catchers, and this will be their toughest test to date. Where Notre Dame should thrive is up front against a struggling Purdue offensive line. That group should be able to dominate, which would play a big role in keeping Browne from getting comfortable.

TREVOR TROWBRIDGE

Prediction: Notre Dame 49, Purdue 13

Purdue's offense poses more of a threat than what some Notre Dame fans may want to believe. Having said that, this is still a matchup the Irish win and win handily. This will be the biggest test for the Fighting Irish secondary this season but the offense should be able to have their way with the Boilermaker defense. In back to back weeks, the Purdue defense has allowed 38 points and 52 points respectively to two Power 4 opponents. I see that being more of the case Saturday afternoon. Notre Dame's offense needs to become a more balanced unit. That will start to be the case in the battle for the Shillelagh Trophy.

VINCE DEDARIO

Prediction: Notre Dame 42, Purdue 10

Notre Dame enters West Lafayette at 3-0 and has already handled two Big Ten opponents in Wisconsin and Michigan State, along with a 52-0 shutout of Rice. Purdue is 1-2, and while Ross-Ade Stadium can make this matchup uncomfortable, the talent and depth difference is significant. I expect Purdue to have some success early, particularly if it can create some explosive plays and keep Notre Dame's offense on the sideline, but the Irish defense should eventually take control. CJ Carr and the Notre Dame offense should be able to consistently move the football, and I think the Irish pull away in the second half for a 42-10 victory.

ANDREW MCDONOUGH

Prediction: Notre Dame 52, Purdue 17

Purdue has been a "get right" game for the Notre Dame offense 2 years in a row, and this year is no different. I expect the Irish to allow CJ Carr to throw a little more than the first 3 weeks and Carr will surpass 300 yards passing for the first time this season. On the ground, Purdue enters the matchup having given up 186 yards rushing to Wake Forest and 369 yards rushing to UCLA, so if Notre Dame can't get the run game going in this one, it's a very concerning sign. The good news is that the Irish found something in the fourth quarter against Michigan State on the ground with a gap scheme attack focused on creating angles and leverage, rather than needing the offensive line to move lineman off the ball in a traditional zone scheme.

On the other sideline, Purdue is much better on offense this year with QB Ryan Browne surpassing 300 yards passing in all 3 games, and for the first time all season, the Notre Dame secondary should get a good test. Leonard Moore will get his first interception of the year but with young safeties needing to play a larger role with the injuries to Braunte Johnson and Luke Talich, I have the Boilermakers finding the end zone a couple times – though the defense will still leave the game with plenty of positive momentum after still holding Purdue's offense more than 3 touchdowns below its season average. 

BRYAN AULT

Prediction: Notre Dame 45, Purdue 7

I want to see all college football teams in Indiana succeed, not just Notre Dame. With the Hoosiers winning and Notre Dame on a roll, I also want to see Purdue, especially in Barry Odom’s second year as a head coach, win more games, and think they have the right staff to succeed over the long haul.

That said, I don’t think Saturday will be particularly close. Purdue is fresh off back-to-back losses against UCLA and a bitter one against Wake Forest. The Boilermakers just can’t seem to win, and against a Notre Dame team that is undefeated and knows how to put points on the board in a hurry, I’m expecting an easy Irish victory.

Notre Dame vs Purdue Game Predictions – Opponent Schedule Preview, Week 4 Big Game PredictionsIB has broken down the matchup between Notre Dame and Purdue, and now it's time to make our predictions! That will be followed by a look at the weekend's sla…

———

Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.

BECOME A MEMBER

Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!

Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @CoachD178
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook

Sign up for the FREE Irish Breakdown daily newsletter

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos