Purdue at Notre Dame

Written by Steve Janus

The Purdue Boilermakers will head to South Bend to take on Notre Dame Fighting Irish this Saturday, as the two teams get ready to begin their 2010 season. it was quite the finish for these two teams in 2009, as the Boilermakers rallied from 10-points down to take a 4th quarter lead, before Notre Dame scored the winning touchdown with just 25 seconds left on the clock.

The Boilermakers finished up the 2009 season at 5-7 overall, but did make a nice showing in the Big Ten going 4-4. This year they have just 11 starter back in the second season under head coach Danny Hope, so it looks like it will be a bit of a down year for Purdue. The Fighting Irish welcome in former Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly, who led the Bearcats to three straight 10 wins seasons. The Irish are hoping he can do the same for them, as they finished 2009 just 6-6.

If you are planning on betting on the game this weekend, BetUS currently has Notre Dame favored by 11 points over Purdue with the total sitting at 55 points.

The Irish lose one of the schools best quarterbacks in Jimmy Clausen, but have another young gun that should be ready to take over and play well in sophomore Dayne Crist. Look for Crist to send plenty of passes towards junior tight end Kyle Rudolph, who very well may be the best tight end in the country. The defense should also make some nice improvements with nine starters back and much more defensive minded coach.

Purdue will also have a new quarterback in 2010, as they will start Miami transfer Robert Marve, who not only has a strong arm but is also very fast when he decides to run with it. The Boilermakers will also have a new starting running back, as sophomore Al-Terek McBurse will replace Ralph Boldin, who went down in spring with an ACL injury. The defense is a concern for the Boilermakers, as they gave up just over 29 points a game in 2009 and have just six starters returning.

Looking at the Odds: I think you have to take the Irish to cover the 11-points in this one, as Purdue has been awful on the road against Notre Dame, winning just one out of the last 12. I also think people aren’t give Kelly enough credit, as I believe he has a great shot at turning the Notre Dame into a 10-win team this season. I look for the total to go under the 55 point mark, as I think both teams are going to struggle early to put points on the board. I have the final score being Notre Dame 31- Purdue 13

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