Purdue Football (1-2) vs. #3 Notre Dame (3-0): Staff Predictions

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

Well folks, this is the biggest game for Purdue football so far this season. Really seems like we’ve been saying that every week now. But really, it’s been true. It continues to be true this week as well. One day more until Purdue faces Notre Dame. Let’s see what the staff thinks shall we?

Ledman (3-0):

If you listened to the latest Boiler Alert podcast, which of course each and every one of you should be doing, you’ll know that I don’t have much faith in this Purdue team pulling out the win tomorrow. The offense has played their part so far but they’ve never faced a defense like the one Notre Dame will put on Rohrman Field this weekend. The Purdue defense? Like Buzz’s girlfriend, woof. Purdue allowed UCLA to run the football all over the field and down their throats last week in Pasadena. Notre Dame is better than UCLA. That seems obvious right? Well, that says to me that this Purdue defense is going to struggle to slow down a Notre Dame team that is waltzing their way to the CFP this season. I would imagine that Coach Freeman might have some sympathy for his former employer, but I don’t expect him to go easy on the Boilermakers.

Purdue 17

Notre Dame 49

Travis (3-0):

I don’t think it will be as ugly as two years ago. That be the most comprehensive ass-beating I have ever seen in Ross-Ade Stadium, and I was there for the entire Hazell era. Even the touchdown Purdue scored felt like it was more out of pity and apathy by the Irish than anything. This year will probably more like last year. The Purdue offense was good enough to make things slightly interesting in South Bend, but the defense is going to get gashed. Unless Purdue finds a way to activate its bizarre “Unranked Purdue over top 5 team” powers the Irish will have little trouble. Purdue gets some points, but it gives up a lot more. Notre Dame 52, Purdue 28

Kyle (1-2):

Purdue gets a major test Saturday when No. 3 Notre Dame comes to Ross-Ade Stadium, and while the Boilermakers have shown plenty of offensive potential through the first three games, the Irish present a completely different challenge. Purdue will need Ryan Browne and the offense to stay aggressive while finding ways to slow down a Notre Dame team that has been dominant on both sides of the ball. The home-field advantage should keep this competitive early, but Notre Dame’s physicality and depth eventually prove to be too much. 

Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Purdue 24.

Ryan (3-0):

I think Purdue will at least put some points up at home since Ryan Browne has quietly been one of the better QBs in the Big Ten. That said, the defense will be going up against a worthy opponent and it has not been pretty as of late.

Purdue 28

Notre Dame 49

Casey (2-1):

If the offense looks okay, that’s probably a win and point to jump from for the rest of the season. There’s just nothing that suggests this defense can hold up. It’s probably gonna get ugly early. 

44-21 Notre Dame

Drew (1-2):

This feels less like a football game and more like a slow trudge to the gallows. My hope is that the offense puts some points up and keeps it interesting for at least a short time period of time.

Notre Dame’s running game shreds the Purdue defense. Ryan Browne plays a solid game, but the offense has to be perfect, and they won’t be.

Purdue: 21

Notre Dame: 47

Jed (2-1):

Unfortunately, this one isn’t likely to be the competitive game the previous two weeks were. Wake Forest and UCLA will be bowl teams but there is a distinct difference from those and a Notre Dame program who is at the top of the CFB heap right now. 

Purdue has a legitimate offense being led by Ryan Browne, Fame Ijeboi, Asaad Waseem, and a slew of other receivers that should be able to put some points on the board against most opponents. I’d venture to say that Purdue likely can put up 20-24 points on Notre Dame given teams have to provide actual oversight for the running game which then leads to Browne and his receivers having better throwing lanes to make plays down the field.

The issue is going to be the defense for every remaining game of the season. Struggling in game two against Wake could have simply been a blip on the radar but the performance against UCLA is clearly more likely where this defense is under Kevin Kane. In all honesty, I don’t see how Purdue holds the Irish under 40 points with a scheme that allows opposing receivers to run freely deep in the defensive backfield.

Purdue keeps it close for a quarter and a half before the defense slips up and gives up two scores to close the first half. Inevitably, the offense simply can’t keep up and the defense continues the Kevin Kane trend of being utterly inept.

Purdue: 23

Notre Dame: 48

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