The Notre Dame football team is now 3-0 and getting ready for yet another Big Ten program. Like the other Big Ten teams the Fighting Irish have faced this year, they're expected to blow out the Purdue Boilermakers, if Vegas oddsmakers are to be believed.
If there's one thing that defines Purdue this year, it's that their defense has been non-existent. After opening the year by beating FCS-level Indiana State 44-19, they've lost to Wake Forest 38-36 and then to UCLA last week, 52-38. It's a bit ironic that this time last year, Purdue ran into a Notre Dame team that was struggling seriously on defense. The Irish started last year with a 27-24 loss to Miami, then a 41-40 loss to Texas A&M, and they allowed 30 points to Purdue while luckily scoring 56 points of their own.
This year, Notre Dame hasn't allowed more than one touchdown in any game and hasn't allowed more than 13 points in any game. Pair the Fighting Irish defense (along with a potent offense) with Purdue's lack of anything resembling a defense, and Saturday's game could be yet another blowout.
Notre Dame football opens as big favorite over Purdue Boilermakers
According to DraftKings, the Fighting Irish are 27.5-point favorites on Saturday afternoon. The total for the game is currently 57.5, the highest total for a Notre Dame game this season. It seems as if Vegas believes Marcus Freeman's squad will win big, but might allow a few points to an offense that has been one of the best in the Big Ten.
The points could also be set that high because the Irish are starting to see defensive injuries stack up. Safety Brauntae Johnson and defensive lineman Jason Onye have both missed a few games and could miss a few more. Against Michigan State, backup-turned-starter safety Luke Talich exited early and appeared injured.
Notre Dame hasn't confirmed that Talich is banged up, but if he is and can't play against Purdue, it's possible true freshman safety Joey O'Brien will start.
Whoever is patrolling the defensive backfield for Notre Dame will go up against Boilermakers' quarterback Ryan Browne, who has been efficient while putting up big numbers. Browne has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns with just 1 interception. His top two targets are Asaad Waseem (20 catches, 321 yards) and Xavier Townsend (19 catches, 267 yards).
“Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.”
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