It’s a two-hour drive from South Bend to West Lafayette, but it’s still a road game against a Big Ten team, and Notre Dame can’t take it for granted.
The Irish start the season with a big national showdown at Texas A&M, and then don’t leave Indiana for six weeks with five home games around the time of Week 3 at Purdue.
Notre Dame has won eight straight in the series (57-25-2 all-time) and ten of the last 12. Keep it up, and with the University of Miami, Louisville, Stanford, Georgia Tech and Navy (in East Rutherford ) then there are chances of achieving a great winning streak.
But Purdue will be more dangerous after a 4-8 season. They will increase the passing game and this could be a signature moment in the second season for head coach Ryan Walters.
The five things you need to know about Purdue, Irish fans, are…
It’s not that the Irish defensive front can’t hold its own against anyone, but Purdue has enough talent on the line to take control at some points. The addition of DJ Wingfield (New Mexico) and Corey Stewart (Ball State) improves an already good situation. Gus Hartwig is one of the best centers Notre Dame will face.
The D-line has to put some pressure on the backfield because…
Purdue needs to maintain control of the game by dominating on third downs and managing the clock effectively. That all depends on veteran QB Hudson Card, who needs to find his rhythm with accurate mid-range throws.
While the passing game has the potential to be dangerous, it does not require Card to take unnecessary risks. Consistency and precision are key.
Last season, Purdue went 0-5 when its quarterbacks did not complete at least 60% of their passes. By connecting on makeable shots and avoiding costly mistakes, Card takes control down the stretch. Do that and the Boilermaker’s strong running backs should be even more effective.
Purdue’s secondary has more big plays to make, but should have five dangerous starters who could get up and shake if Notre Dame’s passing game doesn’t work out.
Dillon Thieneman is one of the best safeties the Irish will face all year. He led the team with 106 stops and had six interceptions, but he’s not alone.
Markevious Brown is a solid cornerback, transfer cornerback Nyland Green (Georgia) and safety Kydrich Breedlove (Colorado) improve an already promising situation, but…
Here’s the bad news. Notre Dame has to deal with All-America candidate Nic Scourton in Week 1 against Texas A&M.
Here’s the good news. Scourton was a terror for Purdue’s defensive front last season, and now he’s obviously gone.
The pass rush won’t be as good without their star, Notre Dame should be able to run early and the passing game should work despite the talent of the Boilermaker secondary.
Purdue gave up 225 yards or more in eight games last season. New year, new personnel on both sides, but Irish QB Riley Leonard should be effective.
Again, there are a lot of changes for both teams, and there should be several twists and turns for Week 3. However, to continue the previous theme about completing mid-range throws, Purdue has to control the game with the running game.
Last year the Boilermakers couldn’t do much when they couldn’t work. They went 0-5 when they ran for less than 125 yards and 4-2 when they did more. It was mostly hit or miss, and those five losses mostly came against some defensive powerhouses on the board (Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State), but Notre Dame has the personnel to hang on.
Notre Dame vs Purdue Prediction: Early Summer
Purdue should be upset.
Overall, the team should be better, and the starting 22 have the personnel to stick around for a while, the defense will start to give way in the second half.
The Boilermaker offense has to be balanced, own the clock and be in control at all times, but that’s what Notre Dame will be like after a rocky start. It won’t be pretty, but it will be a win over a Big Ten team.
Notre Dame 34, Purdue 17
– Full Purdue Preview and Breakdown
– Week 1: Texas A&M 5 Things to Know
– Week 2: NIU 5 things you should know