COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Notre Dame enters 3-0 with three straight wins and has been winning by a wide margin, scoring 40.0 points per game while allowing only 7.7. The Irish have been balanced on offense at 277.7 passing yards per game and 130.0 rushing yards per game, and their defense has been even sharper, holding opponents to 3.6 yards per play. Purdue is 1-2 and has been far more volatile, averaging 39.3 points per game and 366.7 passing yards per game on offense, but giving up 36.3 points per game and 7.0 yards per play allowed. That offensive volume gives Purdue a path to move the ball, but the defensive numbers suggest Notre Dame should find enough answers to keep the Boilermakers from cashing a higher scoring projection.
Notre Dame should control this game from start to finish and win comfortably, with Purdue’s offense likely pressed below its season scoring pace by an Irish defense that has been far better than the Boilermakers’ overall defensive profile. The most efficient angle is Purdue team total under 14.5, since Notre Dame has held opponents to 7.7 points per game, 3.6 yards per play allowed, and only 58.3 rushing yards allowed per game. My projected final score is Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34, Purdue Boilermakers 13, which supports the under on Purdue’s team total and a manageable game total overall.
