By ANDREW GASTELUM
Editor-in-Chief
Maybe Irish coach Brian Kelly should view this game as a rivalry game, knowing that 2-1 spells turnaround and 1-2 spells overrated.
The problem is Purdue shouldn't be too much of a problem to deal with. That is probably the scariest part of Saturday's game in West Lafayette, Ind., as the Irish have marquee home matchups with Michigan State and Oklahoma to look forward toward. Let's be honest, Purdue barely held on to beat Indiana State last week - who gave up 73 points to Indiana in its first game.
But the Boilermakers see this as an in-state rivalry, and a home victory against the Irish would absolutely making their season three games into it.
But Kelly will be sure his offense is in tune and his defense doesn't falter after being reminded of how a regular season loss feels.
FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 31, Purdue 10
By MATTHEW DeFRANKS
Assistant Managing Editor
The only unknown in this game is by how much the Notre Dame will win. Vegas has the Irish as 21-point favorites in West Lafayette this weekend. Last season, though, Notre Dame was favored by 14 points and squeaked out a 20-17 win at home.
Now, they are without their quarterback and middle linebacker from a year ago and go on the road. So the game should be more even, right? If that was it, then yes - but Purdue has struggled as much as Notre Dame cup designers have with spelling.
They lost by five touchdowns to Cincinnati and held off Indiana State by six points. They scored one offensive touchdown in the 13 drives they had against the Sycamores that are known for Larry Bird and not for football.
The Irish win this one comfortably.
FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 41, Purdue 13
By MIKE MONACO
Sports Editor
First things first: the Irish will win this one.
Yes, Notre Dame looked merely good against Michigan, but we're talking about a Purdue opponent that almost lost to Indiana State (you read that right) and got demolished by Cincinnati.
I expect the Irish offense to look strong, as it has through the first two games of the season. The defense will show improvement from last week in Ann Arbor, but it will still give up yards throughout the night, a la the Temple game. The defense was malleable against the Owls, but brittle against Michigan.
Facing the Boilermakers, Notre Dame will bend but stay sturdy enough to get back on track with a 'W.'
FINAL SCORE:Notre Dame 34, Purdue 7
By JOSEPH MONARDO
Associate Sports Editor
The Irish will win this game. There is no question about it. Purdue has struggled mightily in early season action, barely beating an Indiana State team that fell by 38 points to Indiana ... who then lost to Navy last week. However you slice it, that does not look good for the Boilermakers.
The Irish have big games ahead of them, but this is not one of them. It is, however, an opportunity for the Irish to launch a new winning streak from the ground floor. It is also an opportunity for Notre Dame's defense to get back on track after spoiling its national reputation by allowing 41 points to Michigan. Notre Dame will retain bragging brights in this one.
FINAL SCORE: Notre Dame 38, Purdue 13
By JACK HEFFERON
Sports Writer
By a quick application of the transitive property, Notre Dame should win this game by about 130 points. But games aren't played on paper, and the Irish have issues on both sides of the ball.
The Irish offense looked good last week, but still got in its own way at the worst possible times. The defense, meanwhile, has shown serious problems at every level thusfar.
The good news? Purdue will provide the Irish with a fine tune-up opportunity this Saturday. They've dramatically underwhelmed in every facet of the game - save punting.
Tommy Rees has a banner day, the secondary tightens up a bit, and the Irish roll. But with a difficult month looming, winning Saturday isn't enough. The Irish need to use this game to figure themselves out and move past Michigan.
FINAL SCORE:Notre Dame 55, Purdue 10
