GoldandBlack.com Predictions: Purdue vs. Indiana

Again this season, GoldandBlack.com shares its willy-nilly predictions and half-baked takes in advance of each of Purdue’s football games.

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.

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

TOM DIENHART, GOLDANDBLACK.COM INTREPID FOOTBALL REPORTER

Purdue is bracing to play probably the best Indiana team ever. The Hoosiers are looking to finish 12-0 … and then win the Big Ten title game and make a deep College Football Playoff run. Purdue? It’s a 180, as the program has lost nine in a row coming off a 1-11 season in 2024. It’s 17 Big Ten losses in a row and counting. The page to 2026 can’t be turned quickly enough in West Lafayette.

My biggest question: Can Purdue avoid a blowout? The Boilers suffered their worst loss in school annals last year, falling 66-0 at Bloomington. Purdue is coming off one of its worst efforts of the season, falling 49-13 at Washington. In what mostly has been a lost season, will the Boilermakers put up a fight? Show effort? Care?

Most important player: QB, whoever ends up playing the most between Ryan Browne and Malachi Singleton. Play under center has been underwhelming most of this season. Without above-average QB play on Friday night, Purdue has no shot to keep pace.
Prediction: Indiana 45, Purdue 14

ALAN KARPICK, GOLDANDBLACK.COM CHIEF EXECUTIVE

The game-time temperature is expected to be about 25 degrees at kickoff, making it the coldest game at Ross-Ade Stadium since the 1956 Bucket game. The odds couldn’t be stacked any more against Purdue, with the Boilermakers’ home cast in red (or whatever color fans’ warmest winter clothing turns out to be).
My Biggest Question: Will Purdue have enough “want to” to make this game competitive past half time.
Most Important Player: Purdue’s quarterback, whomever that might be. The Boilermaker have to find a way to control the ball and score points or this one will get out of hand early.
Prediction: Indiana 38, Purdue 9

DUB JELLISON, GOLDANDBLACK.COM FOOTBALL REPORTER

One last opportunity for Purdue to snap a nine-game losing streak and avoid a two-year winless drought in Big Ten play comes against No. 2 Indiana on Friday night. Another tall task in what has been a brutal November slate for Barry Odom and company.

My biggest question: Can Purdue make some plays offensively in the early going? That has been a struggle of late, but putting points on the board early would go a long way in helping the Boilermakers pull off an upset.
My most important player: Ryan Browne and Malachi Singleton. If there is another two-quarterback system, like we saw in Seattle, one or both finding a rhythm could loom large in this one.
Prediction: Indiana 42, Purdue 7

JORDAN JONES, GOLDANDBLACK.COM DITCH-DIGGER

This is it. Barry Odom’s debut season comes to an end. Barring an upset of epic proportions, Purdue will become just the second program in the last 40 years to post consecutive winless Big Ten seasons. Three wins over the last two seasons will become the worst two-year stretch for Purdue football since 1941-1942. Meanwhile, Indiana enters 11-0 and poised to reach the College Football Playoff for the second straight year. Is this rock bottom for the Purdue football program?
My biggest question: What’s next? Purdue must field a much better product in 2026. Between roster and coaching staff changes, what’s next for the Boilermakers?
My most important player: Quarterbacks Ryan Browne and Malachi Singleton. As Purdue hopes for better days ahead, the quarterback position is where it all starts. This is the last chance for Purdue’s coaching staff to evaluate these two in a game setting.
Prediction:  Indiana 52, Purdue 14