Ahead of Notre Dame’s visit, the third-ranked Irish are 3-0, while Purdue is 1-2 after allowing UCLA 369 rushing yards last week. Hammer and Rails deputy manager Andrew Ledman predicts Notre Dame will run over the hosts and win 56-17.
Ledman said quarterback Ryan Browne has improved by making fewer bad throws and choosing safer options, though he still sometimes makes the wrong read on run-pass options or locks onto a receiver. He named Xavier Townsend and Asaad Waseem as Purdue’s top receivers and said running back Fame Ijeboi is effective around the edge, but the offensive line struggles to open holes.
Ledman described Purdue fans as increasingly frustrated with second-year coach Barry Odom and defensive coordinator Kevin Kane after poor defensive performances; he said many want Kane dismissed. He also questioned whether Purdue can challenge top Big Ten teams without a major cash infusion and said he expects it to remain a basketball school absent major change.
