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GoldandBlack.com Predictions: Purdue's noon matchup with Rutgers

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Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium
Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium

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.

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

TOM DIENHART, GOLDANDBLACK.COM FOOTBALL REPORTER

Well, this is it. This is probably Purdue’s last best chance to end the losing misery for a program that has lost a school-record 13 Big Ten games in a row. How will the team respond coming off its worst performance of the season? Fascinating.
My biggest question: Can Purdue win the turnover battle? It hasn’t yet in any game this season. That’s why Purdue has a -11 turnover margin, worst in the Big Ten and second worst in the nation.
Most important player: Devin Mockobee. I have said this often. No. 45 has to be the fulcrum if the Boilers want to win, especially on Saturday if Malachi Singleton ends up making his first career start.
Prediction: Purdue 31, Rutgers 29

ALAN KARPICK, GOLDANDBLACK.COM CHIEF EXECUTIVE

Not much more to be said here (and I said this last week) but Purdue really needs a win to be able to show tangible improvement in the program. It is getting a bit desperate in West Lafayette.
My biggest question: Which team shows up. Both Rutgers and Purdue are in must win territory, but Purdue has to bring the juice more than it did last week on the shores of Lake Michigan, doesn’t it?
My most important player: Malachi Singleton, assuming he gets the start, will also be the game’s most intriguing player and goes along way towards raising the interest level.
Prediction: Purdue 34, Rutgers 31

DUB JELLISON, GOLDANDBLACK.COM FOOTBALL REPORTER

Purdue’s current five-game losing streak has gone from bad to worse, with last weekend’s shutout loss to Northwestern. Barry Odom and company gave been given another great opportunity this week, however, with a reeling Rutgers squad coming to town. If the Boilermakers want to snap a 15-game skid against Power 4 opponents this season, it needs to come on Saturday afternoon in Ross-Ade Stadium.
My biggest question: Can Purdue finish drives? The Boilermakers are dead-last in the conference in red zone offense, scoring just 69% of the time.
My most important player: Malachi Singleton. Now, this is contingent on whether Singleton gets the start on Saturday, but should the Purdue backup replace Ryan Browne, it will be up to him to provide the Boilermakers with a spark.
Prediction: Rutgers 31, Purdue 28

JORDAN JONES, GOLDANDBLACK.COM DITCH-DIGGER

The month of November remains, but this looks like Purdue’s last realistic chance to pick up a third win in 2025. Last week’s shutout loss in Evanston felt like a step backward, something Odom doesn’t need as he aims to rebuild Purdue’s program. It’s time for the Boilermakers to throw the kitchen sink at Rutgers to try and put one in the Big Ten win column for the first time since 2023.
My biggest question: How much does the offense differ with Singleton at quarterback?
My most important player: Malachi Singleton. Rutgers’ offense will put up points, but its defense is terrible. Can he get Purdue to 30 points? It might need 30 to win this one.
Prediction: Purdue 34, Rutgers 31

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