Purdue has demonstrated the ability to score, and that's enough to get me interested in the Over here. Purdue just put up 38 at UCLA after putting 36 on Wake Forest. This is against Power Four competition; never mind the 44 points against Indiana State. Overall, the Boilermakers average 39.3 points and 489 yards per game, including 366.7 through the air. Ryan Browne has already surpassed 1,000 passing yards while completing 73% of his attempts. The problem? The Boilers can't stop anybody.
Purdue surrenders 36.3 points and nearly 447 yards per game. UCLA just hung 52 on this defense, and now Notre Dame arrives averaging 40 points per contest itself. The Irish could do most of the heavy lifting here on their own. CJ Carr's efficiency through the air and the Irish's rushing prowess can make 40-plus points from the Golden Domers entirely realistic before we consider Purdue's contribution potential from their own offensive operations.
At the end of the day, this is an in-state rivalry for the Shillelagh Trophy, and the Boilermakers will empty the kitchen sink trying to create problems at Ross-Ade Stadium. They don't need to threaten the upset. If Purdue supplies 17-21 points (even in junk time) and Notre Dame approaches 40, we're knocking on the door to clear this over. I am betting that they will.
Notre Dame vs Purdue prediction: Over 58.5 (-105) available at time of publishing. Playable to that number.
