Purdue Boilermakers (2-0) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-0)
September 18, 2021 2:30 pm EDT
The Line: Notre Dame Fighting Irish -8.5 ; Over/Under: 59
(Get latest betting odds)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish meet the Purdue Boilermakers Saturday in week 3 college football action from Notre Dame Stadium. Purdue is coming off a week two game versus UConn. In that matchup, the Boilermakers bagged a huge blowout win. As for Notre Dame, they played Toledo last weekend. The Irish eked out a three-point victory. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
Purdue had to fight off a persistent Oregon State team in their opener this year, eventually prevailing 30-21. Boilermakers QB Jack Plummer put up 313 yards with two scores, while Davis Bell and Payne Durham combined for 15 catches, 254 yards and two TDs receiving.
In the week two game versus UConn, Purdue scored 28 points in the second quarter alone on the way to a 49-0 blowout victory. Jack Plummer managed 245 yards with four scores, and King Doerue led the rushers with 74 yards and a score off 12 totes.
Over on the Notre Dame side, they needed overtime to beat Florida State 41-38 in a wild opening week game. Irish quarterback Jack Coan had 366 yards with four TDs and a pick, while Michael Mayer had 120 yards and a score off nine catches.
Notre Dame matched up against Toledo in week two. The Irish had a 16-14 deficit heading into the fourth quarter but were able to power out a 32-29 victory. Can finished with 239 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, and Karen Williams had 78 yards and a score on the ground.
The Boilermakers are 4-0 ATS in their last four versus independents and 6-2 ATS in their last eight in September. Purdue is 4-1 ATS in their last five after an ATS win as well.
Meanwhile, the Irish are 7-2 ATS versus a team with a winning record and 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight versus the Big Ten. Notre Dame is 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall.
PICK: I’m going to stick with Purdue. Notre Dame had some decent offensive output in their week two game with 449 yards and 27 first downs, but they also shot themselves in the proverbial foot several times (like with the three turnovers) and gave up 5.6 yards per play to Toledo.
As for Purdue, there’s really not much to complain about in their week two performance; the Boilermakers managed 562 total yards with 29 first downs and zero turnovers. I think the Irish will come into this one sharper but I think Purdue can still bang out the cover. Should be a fun matchup.
