Predictions: Purdue vs. Notre Dame

Oct 1, 2011; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Cierre Wood (20) hurdles Purdue Boilermakers cornerback Ricardo Allen (21) at Ross Ade Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Purdue 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

Purdue Boilermakers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-14.0)

September 8, 2012 at 3:30 p.m. EST

TV: NBC

Last Meeting: Notre Dame 38-Purdue 10

Lead Editor Andrew Hall: Notre Dame 27-14

Staff Writer Nick Combs: Notre Dame 42-14

Podcast Co-Host Brett Arney: Notre Dame 38-24

Purdue ranks 17th overall in total Offense with 547 yards per game. The Boilermakers threw for 372 yards against Eastern Kentucky. That total ranks 9th nationally. Purdue also racked up 175 yards on the ground, which finishes 55th after one week of College Football. These numbers of course can be skewed after only one week. The truth about programs comes out much later in the year.

The Boilermakers might be custom built on Offense to beat Notre Dame. Purdue starts a Senior Quarterback with another coming off the bench. Both have plenty of experience and both have started against the Fighting Irish. The Offense features two small but shifty wide outs who constantly get their hands on the ball. This could play into the weakness that Notre Dame has in the secondary. Notre Dame may truly be tested on Saturday. In addition to the passing attack, Purdue can keep you honest with a solid Running Back who is quickly emerging. Purdue starts three Juniors and two Seniors on the Offensive Line. This Senior class has never beaten Notre Dame. They are an experienced team. Even though Notre Dame is favored by 14.5 points, Purdue’s experienced Offense could give Notre Dame problems all day.

Purdue ranks 9th overall in Scoring Defense after their 48-6 victory over Eastern Kentucky. They also rank 9th overall in Total Defense. It should be noted that Eastern Kentucky plays in the Championship Subdivision. The past three seasons, the Colonels have gone 7-5, 6-5, 5-6. Eastern Kentucky is not even a great Championship Subdivision team. It should also be noted that the Boilermakers steamrolled Southeast Missouri State 59-0 before losing to Notre Dame 38-10.

Like the Offense, Purdue has a veteran group. Short and the Defensive Line may be able to clog the Running Lanes against the Fighting Irish. However, the Offensive Line that Notre Dame has is extremely talented. The battle between Short and Cave will be one that NFL Scouts look at come April 2013. If Notre Dame gets into the second level, Purdue may not be able to stop Notre Dame from breaking a big run. As far as the secondary goes, Purdue may be solid covering the outside receiver. But, in play action plays or against the slot receivers, Notre Dame may be able to get athletes in space.