Northwestern vs. Purdue Total Pick
Will two physical Big Ten teams have trouble finding points in their season opener when Purdue plays host to Northwestern on Thursday at 8PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
135 Northwestern at 136 Purdue
Thursday, August 30, 2018
8PM ET – Ross-Ade Stadium
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Boilermakers are the slight favorite at home, as they are getting odds of -1.5 points against Northwestern on Thursday. The over/under total is currently listed at 51.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 54 percent going on Purdue at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Football Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Northwestern ended 2017 strong
The Northwestern Wildcats ended their 2017 season on a high note, winning eight straight with victories over the likes of Michigan State, Iowa, Purdue and Kentucky in a bowl game. Northwestern was 10-3 overall with a 9-4 record against the spread. The Wildcats were 7-5-1 with the under last season.
Northwestern put up 380 points last season while allowing 261. Northwestern returns quarterback Clayton Thorson this season. He threw for 2,844 yards and 15 touchdowns last year while also posting 12 interceptions He is coming off ACL surgery, but is expected to be a go on Thursday. His leadership will be needed as the team loses top rusher Justin Jackson, who rushed for 1,311 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017.
Purdue posts winning season
Purdue had its first winning season since 2011 last year when Jeff Brohm led the Boilermakers to a 7-6 record in his first year as head coach. The Boilermakers ended their season on a three-game win streak and a win over Arizona in the bowl game. Like the Wildcats, Purdue was 9-4 against the spread. When it came to the total, Purdue was 9-4 with the under.
The Boilermakers scored 328 points last season while allowing 267. David Blough returns at quarterback after seeing action throughout the 2017 season. He struggled at times, but threw for 1,103 yards and nine touchdowns with four interceptions. In 2016, Blough had 3,352 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. Purdue also returns its top two rushers from last year in Markell Jones and D.J. Knox. They combined for over 1,100 yards on the ground.
College Football Betting Trends
Northwestern
The Wildcats were 4-0-1 with the over in their last five road games but 6-1 with the under in their last seven games in August. These two have also hit the under in 10 of their last 13 meetings.
Purdue
The Boilermakers hit the under in six of their last eight games last season and six of their last seven Big Ten games.
Prediction:
Both teams are capable of scoring big points, but tend to play more low-scoring games in conference play. Purdue had totals under 50 points in eight of their last nine Big Ten games. Northwestern has a little more firepower on offense typically, but the Wildcats have been pretty stout on defense. I expect both teams to look rusty on offense in their season opener and for this game to be a low-scoring grind.
The Pick: Northwestern/Purdue Under 51.5