Purdue Boilermakers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Picks and Prediction - September 20, 2025
A pair of Indiana programs meet in South Bend and we’re getting you ready with our Purdue vs. Notre Dame predictions. The Boilermakers (2-1 SU, 2-1 ATS) lost at home against USC last weekend, 33-17, as +20.5 underdogs. The 24th ranked Fighting Irish (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS) are still in search of their first win after losing 41-40 against Texas A&M last weekend as -6.5 favorites at home. Kickoff from Notre Dame Stadium is scheduled for 3:30 EST. If you are struggling to pick winners, you've come to the right place. We have the strongest NCAAF Predictions.
Purdue fails first test
The Boilermakers scarfed down a pair of cupcakes to open their season before USC came to town and put them in their place. The defense gave up 460 yards and 22 first downs as the Trojans passed all over to the tune of 10.1 yards per pass. They allowed points in all four quarters while the offense was blanked in the first and had just a field goal before halftime. They produced 357 total yards and 23 first downs in the loss.
Through three games the Purdue offense is pumping out an average of 391.3 total yards and 27.3 points per game. Their passing attack ranks sixth among Big Ten teams, averaging 271.1 yards per game, led by Ryan Browne. The sophomore QB has thrown for 786 yards and 5 TDs while also throwing four interceptions. His offensive line has allowed six defenders through for a sack. The running game averages 119.7 yards per game for the Boilermakers, second lowest average among Big Ten teams. Devin Mockobee has carried the bulk of the load, taking 58 carries for 230 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also added four catches for 66 yards.
Purdue’s defense is giving up 16.7 points and 315.3 total yards per game. Opponents are averaging 125 rushing yards per game against the Boilermakers but only 3.7 yards per carry. Versus the pass, they’ve allowed 190.3 yards per game, and they’ve sacked the opposing QB nine times. They are one of only three Big Ten defenses who have yet to have an interception. Nine different players have had their hands in at least one sack this season. C.J. Nunnally IV leads the team with two as part of his four tackles this season. Charles Correa leads the team with 20 tackles.
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Team notes
- The defense has not allowed a touchdown in the second half this season
- They are one of three teams in the country to have three players with 15 solo tackles.
- Jack McCallister became the first Purdue punter to average at least 50 yards, with a minimum of three punts, twice in a season since 2006.
- Browne is averaging 14.04 yards per completion, the 15th-best mark in the country.
Notre Dame barely a winless team
They’ve only played twice but both games were versus ranked opponents and yet the Irish lost by a total of only five points between the two games. They had a bye week before facing Texas A&M in a wild slugfest. The Notre Dame defense allowed 488 total yards in that loss while the offense had 440 total yards. Following the loss, they had the largest drop off in the polls, going from 8 to 24.
The Notre Dame offense averaged 371.5 total yards and 32 points per game. The team has averaged 20.5 first downs per game and are 45.8% on third downs. The running game has been slow to get going as they’ve averaged 114.5 yards per game. Only three players have touched the ball for a rush and two have earned over 100 yards. Jeremiyah Love has 127 yards, and Jadarian Price is averaging 6.3 yards per carry to go with two touchdowns. The passing attack averages 257 yards per game. CJ Carr has completed 62.9% of his passes for 514 yards, 3 TDs and two interceptions. He’s also punched in a touchdown on the ground.
The defense has struggled against a pair of strong offenses, giving up 413.5 total yards and 34 points per game. They’ve done a bit better against the run, holding teams to 3.7 runs per carry, but they’ve still yielded 133 yards on the ground each week. Opposition passing attacks have beaten them for an average of 282.5 yards per game. They have not been able to apply much pressure either, with just one sack to their credit to go alongside one interception. Drayk Brown is the only player with double-digit tackles, leading the team with 14.
Team notes
- They are part of the pack of schools who are perfect in the red zone, having scored on eight trips in.
- Noah Burnette is a perfect 7-for-7 on PATs and 3-for-3 on field goals.
- Two players have over 100 yards receiving, with Eli Raridon leading the team with 182 yards and nine catches.
- Boubacar Traore is responsible for the team’s lone sack.
Purdue vs. Notre Dame Picks
Spread Pick for Purdue vs. Notre Dame
- Notre Dame -26.5 (4 units)
The fight for the Shillelagh Trophy takes place for the 87th time between the in-state rivals. Notre Dame is 58-26-2 SU all-time in the series, including last season’s 66-7 blowout in West Lafayette. Getting this one on their home turf is big for the Irish, who cannot afford to go down 0-3 SU on the year. This is Purdue’s first road game of the season, and they definitely do not have enough firepower to go toe-to-toe with the hosts. They will get stuffed at the line and Notre Dame would do well to try and assert itself in the Purdue backfield. The Boilermakers struggled against a better USC side, while the Irish fared quite well against two ranked opponents. Notre Dame has won the last nine meetings straight up and the last two against the spread.
Take the Fighting Irish giving the points at home.
Over/Under for Purdue vs. Notre Dame
- Over 47 (5 units)
Last season’s game saw Notre Dame put up 66 points on their own, while the teams combined for 73. The Purdue defense looked strong out of the gate with a shutout, but then allowed 17 points to an FCS school and 33 to USC. We should consider that Notre Dame should be able to impose their will once again here and put up more than the Trojans did on the Boilers. The Irish had 40 points against a Texas A&M defense that is far superior to what Purdue rolls out. On the other side, the Irish defense hasn’t been so hot. While they should fare much better here, they struggled to keep their first two opponents off the board. That doesn’t go away overnight, and I think they hunker down more as the game goes o,n but Purdue gets some points early.
Take the over.
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