Northwestern vs. Purdue Prediction
Which Big Ten team will open the season with an important win on Thursday night when Purdue plays host to Northwestern tonight 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 point against Northwestern tonight. The over/under total is currently listed at 53 points. The public betting for this game currently has 57 percent going on Northwestern on the road. 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.
Purdue eager to take next step
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 Despite some rumors for bigger jobs in the offseason, Brohm returns for his second year with Purdue in 2018. The Boilermakers ended their season on a three-game win streak and a win over Arizona in the bowl game. Purdue was 9-4 against the spread last season and 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. Jones is dealing with a hand injury, but expected to go tonight.
Wildcats finished 2017 hot
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 ready to go tonight. His leadership will be needed as the team loses top rusher Justin Jackson, who rushed for 1,311 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2017.
College Football Betting Trends
Purdue
Purdue has covered the spread in four of their last five games overall and four of their last five at home.
Northwestern
Northwestern has covered the spread in four straight road games and 19 of their last 26 Big Ten contests.
Prediction:
Purdue may be looking to change its identity in the Big Ten, but Northwestern is a team that always plays tough and doesn’t get a lot of respect. The Wildcats have covered in four of their last five trips to Purdue and five of the last seven in this series overall. Pat Fitzgerald will have his team ready for a tough environment and I trust the Wildcats to grind out wins more than I do Purdue. Blough isn’t a QB I trust more than Thorson.
College Football Prediction: Northwestern +1