Slap the Sign
Fansided

The biggest problem Notre Dame will face vs. Purdue in Week 4

After a tough first two games of the season, Notre Dame could see a bit of a reprieve against Purdue in Week 3, but they can't look past the Boilermakers either.
ByEricka Brockish|
Nov 2, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) celebrates a touchdown during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images
Nov 2, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) celebrates a touchdown during the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Notre Dame starts their 2025 slate with two very tough games against two very tough opponents. They will start down South against Miami, the Hurricanes, and then West to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies, then in Week 3, they finally get to return home to South Bend to take on the Purdue Boilermakers in Week 3.

Now, with the state that Purdue's football program has been in the last few years, it doesn't feel like the Boilermakers pose that big of a threat, but it is always a mistake to overlook a team. All Notre Dame fans have to think about is Northern Illinois. So it is crucial to still look and see what the biggest problem the Boilermakers will give the Fighting Irish in their 2025 matchup.

We continue the series that started with Miami and then Texas A&M, and now move on to Purdue, and let's take a look at how they will be a problem for the Fighting Irish in Week 4.

Purdue's ground game will be their biggest asset against Notre Dame

Just like Miami and Texas A&M, Purdue has a fairly prolific ground game, which may even be the best part of their entire offense. Running back Devin Mockobee is returning for his fourth season with the Boilermakers, and unfortunately, his stats have regressed over the last few seasons, but so has the football team as a whole.

Mockobee was solid in 2022 as a freshman with 968 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. Then in 2023, he rushed for a little less with 807 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, and in 2024 was his worst season by far with 687 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. However, change has come to the program with new head coach Barry Odom.

Odom comes to Purdue from UNLV, where he found solid success, and now he steps into a power conference coaching position and has a lot of work to do. However, Odom is known for his strength in the running game and creating a tough team that can win in the trenches.

So, just like against the Aggies, Notre Dame will have to make sure it can sustain longer defensive drives on the ground. This problem doesn't seem quite as big as it does against the Aggies, just simply with who the team is, but the Fighting Irish still need to be wary of the Boilermakers.

Home/Notre Dame Football