Live Free Picks
Home Of 500 Handicappers
Purdue hasn’t beaten in-state rival Notre Dame since 2007, but the Boilers believe this is the season things change. However, Purdue is a 14-point underdog on WagerWeb.com.
The Boilermakers won their opener 48-6 against Eastern Kentucky without suspended starting quarterback Caleb TerBush. Backup Robert Marve passed for a career-high 295 yards and matched a career best with three touchdowns. Akeem Shavers ran for 74 yards and O.J. Ross caught eight passes for 71 yards. Purdue gained 547 yards against coach Danny Hope’s alma mater, where he was the head coach from 2003 to 2007. The Boilermakers held Football Championship Subdivision foe Eastern Kentucky to 190 yards and 10 first downs and forced four turnovers. Defensive tackle Kawann Short, one of the Big Ten’s top defensive players, blocked a field goal and an extra point for the fifth and sixth blocked kicks of his career.
TerBush started all 13 games a season ago and will start this one. But Marve also will play some and so will third-string Rob Henry, who went 7 of 9 for 77 yards with one touchdown, one interception and one fumble vs. EKU. He missed all last season with a knee injury.
Notre Dame was impressive in its opener, a 50-10 blowout vs. Navy in Ireland. Theo Riddick and George Atkinson both ran for two scores and defensive end Stephon Tuitt returned a fumble 77 yards for another TD. Riddick gained 107 yards on 19 carries, Atkinson 99 on just nine carries. Quarterback Everett Golson finished 12 of 18 for 144 yards with a TD and pick in his first career start.
The Irish played without former starting QB Tommy Rees and No. 1 tailback Cierre Wood, both suspended for the opener. Rees is back but will be the No. 2 QB. Wood will miss one more game.
Last year, Purdue fell 38-10 at home vs. Notre Dame. Rees passed for 254 yards and three touchdowns, while Wood ran for a career-high 191 yards on 20 carries. Notre Dame outgained Purdue 551 yards to 276.
TerBush started and completed 10 of 15 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown. Marve relieved him in the second quarter and got the start in the second half, but couldn’t move the team. TerBush re-entered the game and threw a touchdown pass, but it came in the final minute with Purdue down 38-3.
Purdue heads to Notre Dame in search of its first victory in South Bend since 2004 and Notre Dame has won the past four overall.
Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings. Underdog is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 meetings. Road team is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings.
Place your NCAA college football bets at our online sportsbook!
