Who ya got?
Second game of the season for Purdue, third game of the season for the Fighting Irish. It’s time to lock those picks in folks. Everyone on staff is 1-0. Make sure to get those early fall activities in before 3:30 eastern folks. Plus, buy your kid a LEGO set to put together while the game is on if they aren’t into sports. That’s a pro tip right there. You can have that way one free.
Jumbo Heroes (1-0):
I never watched the X-Files growing up, but I did watch The Simpsons. Therefore, I know that David Duchovny’s character always wanted to believe in the supernatural things going on around him. Turns out it was just Mr. Burns doing everything to keep himself alive. But, like Fox Mulder, I to, want to believe. I want to believe that this Purdue team can take down Notre Dame at home. I want to believe that this Notre Dame rush defense is very bad and can allow guys like Devin Mockobee and Reggie Love III to gash them for big yards, help Purdue control the clock, and therefore control the game.
I want to believe that, but right now I’m just not all in yet. Maybe that’s one me. Maybe that’s just because I feel like I learned so little from that first game against Indiana State. Whatever the reason, I’m sticking with my gut and choosing Notre Dame here, but I truly do want to believe.
Purdue 17
Notre Dame 21
Kyle (1-0):
The blueprint is out, Notre Dame fell to NIU last weekend, but does that mean Purdue can replicate the same type of gameplan? I am hopeful Purdue pulls it out, but it was reported that the NIU head coach told Marcus Freeman where they wanted to attack him at and where they saw ND weak at.
Look for Marcus Freeman to fix those issues, I think Purdue may struggle on offense, but so will ND.
A low-scoring loss is my opinion…
Purdue 17
Notre Dame 24
Jed (1-0):
Unless Riley Leonard is unable to go, I don’t see ND slipping after losing to NIU at home. I’ll stick to my own prediction from my ‘Three Point Stance’ article. Notre Dame forces Card into a turnover as he tries to make a play and the Irish escape West Lafayette with a 10 point victory,
Purdue 17
Notre Dame 27
Drew (1-0):
This is a tough one. Is Notre Dame going to come out as a broken or determined team? Does it even matter? With Riley Leonard potentially limited as a runner I’m tempted to pick Purdue.
I know Notre Dame’s offense could struggle if Leonard is limited as a runner. Without that element, this game gets really interesting.
I may regret this in the morning, but that’s never stopped me from doing anything.
Purdue pulls the upset
Purdue 27
Notre Dame 17
Boiler Up!
Ryan (1-0):
If you listen to the Boiler Alert Podcast (and you should), you can see that Andrew and I do ourselves no favors at all in keeping our hopes grounded. We just kept talking and talking and tore Notre Dame down to Purdue’s level. I think it’s apparent that Notre Dame is not on the same level as we viewed over the summer, but they still have the most talent of any team in the state. Riley Leonard is going to be a question mark in this game as he’s good to go even with a non-throwing shoulder injury. Does that mean he will be a slide-first runner or maybe he will be more hesitant to bolt from the pocket? Only time will tell.
On the other side of the ball, ND’s defensive line has disappointed thus far, but again, the talent is there. An intriguing matchup for me is Purdue’s core of receivers against ND’s secondary. Xavier Watts is elite but the Purdue passing attack may finally be demonstrating Graham Harrell’s vision. Do I think this will be a Big 12- style shoot out? Absolutely not, but I also don’t think this will be an Iowa-Northwestern rock fight either. I like Purdue to keep it close but at the end of the day, Notre Dame is fighting with its back against the wall and I think that gives them just enough of a boost.
Purdue 20
ND 24
Garrett (1-0):
I’m gonna go ahead and say it: Purdue has strengths where Notre Dame has weaknesses. I like a lot of the matchups the Boilers when the home team has the ball, as I discussed in my article this morning.
I really like how our front seven matches up against what was supposed to be a dominant Notre Dame offensive line. The key is going to be getting Riley Leonard to the turf when he runs, but ideally forcing him to throw, throw, throw. I think the Boilermakers’ secondary has the potential to go ballhawk mode with Leonard under center.
So, ya know what? I’m drinking the Kool-Aid. Home game helps. Let’s send them back to South Bend with a losing record.
Boilers 24
Irish 18