Washington vs Purdue Picks and Prediction for Friday October 16 2026
Big Ten Conference foes will tangle when the Washington Huskies travel to Ross Ade Stadium to face the Purdue Boilermakers. Kickoff is scheduled for Friday October 16, 2026 at 8:00 pm EST and the game will be broadcast on Fox. The Boilermakers are a three-point home favorite and the total is set at 52.5. Be sure to check out our free college football picks for more NCAAF predictions throughout the season.
Washington off to a disappointing start
The Washington Huskies won nine games a season ago, but failed to replace several key skill players from the offense. Despite winning three non-conference games, the Huskies (3-3) looked underwhelming and failed to cover in each. On Friday, Washington trailed by 24 points at halftime and were dominated in the trenches during a 41-24 home loss versus 20th ranked Iowa.
Washington QB Demond Williams Jr. exited in the second quarter with an apparent shoulder injury and did not return. Junior QB Elijah Brown flashed with 251 passing yards and three touchdowns in relief. Chris Lawson added 86 receiving yards and a score for the Huskies, who were limited to negative three rushing yards on 25 carries.
Washington has not been good on the offensive line and the rushing offense ranks last in the Big Ten Conference at 90.3 yards per game. The Huskies can still move the ball through the air and have scored 69 points total in three conference losses. On defense, Washington is stuck in the middle of the conference and allows 22.2 points on average.
Purdue showing signs of improvement
The Purdue Boilermakers have been an afterthought in the Big Ten Conference for a good part of the last 20 years, but second year head coach Barry Odom has things headed in the right direction. The Boilermakers (3-3) were outclassed in a home loss versus Notre Dame and have rebounded with consecutive conference victories. On Saturday, Purdue built a 17-point halftime lead and cruised to a 41-13 home victory versus Minnesota.
Purdue sophomore RB Fame Ijeboi continued his breakout campaign with 195 rushing yards and three touchdowns. QB Ryan Browne connected with George Burhenn on a 15-yard touchdown strike. Browne added 86 rushing yards and a score for the Boilermakers, who amassed 305 yards on the ground.
Purdue ranks eighth in the Big Ten Conference in total offense (415.5 ypg) and is scoring 32.2 points per game. The Boilermakers have been better through the air (282 ypg) and rank fourth in the conference in that category. Purdue still has to improve a defense that is second worst in yards allowed and surrenders 31.3 points per contest.
Washington vs Purdue Picks and Prediction
Pick: Purdue -3
Purdue opened as a 1.5 point favorite, but that was quickly hammered up to a field goal. Some books have even moved this number to 3.5 and it is no surprise, as Washington has only covered once this season. These two programs are headed in opposite directions, so take the Boilermakers to win and cover at home.
Pick: Under 53.5
This total opened at 53.5, but money came in on the under and moved it down a point. Purdue is 5-1 to the over this season, while Washington owns a 3-3 mark in that category. The Huskies have issues on offense and the Boilermakers will be happy to grind this game out with Ijeboi. Take the under.