GoldandBlack.com Predictions: Purdue's Saturday night meeting with Southern Illinois

Again this season, GoldandBlack.com shares its willy-nilly predictions and half-baked takes in advance of each of Purdue’s football games, starting with Saturday’s meeting with Ball State, the onset of the Barry Odom Era with the Boilermakers.

Scarred by years of predicting uncompetitive games and understanding of the modern gambling climate — please, bet responsibly and leave the damn athletes alone on social media, losers — we are incorporating BetMGM spreads into our predictions this season.

Alas, there is no line on this game this week.

GoldandBlack.com members, share your predictions, no matter how stupid and inane, at Knucklehead Central.

BRIAN NEUBERT, GOLDANDBLACK.COM BLOWHARD

One game does not consistency make. Two is better than one. Just be sharp and Purdue will win comfortably, same as last week. Style points don’t matter, but consistency points do. Need to keep generating positive momentum and experiencing success.
My biggest question: Purdue was good at the line of scrimmage in Week 1. Week 2 might be about dominance.
Most important player: Ryan Browne. There’s at least some tape out now on what Purdue is going to try to do. The element of surprise is largely out the door, and that puts the onus in part on the quarterback to make plays when plays don’t necessarily work. Whether SIU has the Jimmies and Joes to make it difficult, I don’t know, but I do know USC and Notre Dame will.

Prediction: Purdue 37-3.

ALAN KARPICK, GOLDANDBLACK.COM PUBLISHER

Brian implores us to be interesting in our prediction, and I am trying, I am really trying. So what is interesting about Saturday night’s matchup against SIU? Very little should be as the Boilermakers should roll in this one. Purdue is 14-0 all-time against FCS opponents, but SIU has had success under Nick Hill against the big boys. But not this time.
My biggest question: Does Purdue stay injury-free, organized and efficient as we saw for the most part in Week 1?
Most important player: Michael Jackson (or any other receiver that can strike some level of game-planning fear in USC DC D’Anton Lynn). Get some good stuff on film can’t hurt for next week’s matchup.
Prediction: No line on BetMGM this week, but I like Purdue 37-9 in this one.

DUB JELLISON, GOLDANDBLACK.COM FOOTBALL REPORTER

My thoughts: 
Purdue kicked off the Barry Odom era with a bang last Saturday, with about as good of a performance as you can hope for from such a question filled team. 
Southern Illinois should provide the Boilermakers with another opportunity to continue building cohesion and chemistry, while building the confidence cemented in week one. 
Much bigger tests are looming the rest of September, particularly USC coming to town next weekend, so Purdue cannot completely dismiss an SIU program known to spring upsets of FBS foes. That being said, I don’t anticipate the Boilermakers having much trouble under the lights of Ross-Ade Stadium.
My biggest question: How will the offensive line bounce back from an inconsistent showing against Ball State? The Boilermakers should be able to dominate the trenches against an opponent like Southern Illinois. If not, there will be more questions moving forward.
Most important player: Devin Mockobee. Last week, the ground game took a backseat to Ryan Browne and the passing attack. It will be interesting to see whether the trend continues, or Purdue can run the football at will against the Salukis. 
Prediction: Purdue 35, Southern Illinois 7

TOM DIENHART, GOLDANDBLACK.COM FOOTBALL REPORTER

The opening salvo last week was a success, but questions loom. The good news: Improvement between the first and second games typically is most dramatic. That could be good news for a running game that needs more punch. And will the tackling be better?
My biggest question: Can Purdue impose its will and run over SIU, not looking ahead to the USC game?
Most important player: Devin Mockobee. He needs to crack the 150-yard rushing mark for a ground game that pushes toward 250 yards rushing.
Prediction: Purdue 41, Southern Illinois 10. The Boilermakers will take care of business and empty the bench in one last tune up before the real season starts next week.

JORDAN JONES, GOLDANDBLACK.COM DITCH-DIGGER

Purdue turned in a clean, crisp performance in week one, the type that fans longed to see. Yes, it came against a woefully outmatched Ball State, but positives must be embraced. Southern Illinois won’t be confused for the 1985 Chicago Bears, but my gut tells me this is a slightly stronger opponent than Purdue’s visitors from Muncie. Can Purdue stack positives and enter the gauntlet of the schedule with two strong performances under its belt?
My biggest question: Can Purdue replicate last week’s clean performance that featured zero turnovers and just three penalties?
Most important player: Ryan Browne. He looked sharp against Ball State. The challenge lies in doing it again and again, week after week. Is he ready to do that?
Prediction: Purdue 35, Southern Illinois 10.