As Week 9 of the 2025 college football season unfolds, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights will travel to West Lafayette, IN, to take on the Purdue Boilermakers. The game is set for a 12:00 PM kickoff at Ross-Ade Stadium, an outdoor venue where both teams will be looking to turn their seasons around. Fans can catch the action live on BTN.
Rutgers enters the game with a 3-4 record, struggling on the road with an 0-2 record and still seeking their first conference win at 0-4. Their recent performances have been challenging, including a significant loss to the Oregon Ducks, 56-10. Rutgers aims to rectify their away form against Purdue.
Meanwhile, Purdue holds a 2-5 record, with both victories coming at home where they are 2-2. The Boilermakers have also yet to secure a conference victory, sitting at 0-4. After a shutout loss to Northwestern, Purdue looks to capitalize on home advantage to shift the momentum in their favor.
Purdue vs Rutgers At a Glance
- Week and Date: Week 9 of the 2025 Regular Season, Saturday, October 25, 2025
- Game Location: Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN
- TV Channel: BTN
- Rutgers Moneyline Odds: -140
- Purdue Home Record: 2-2
- Game Time: 12:00 PM
Purdue Boilermakers Ready to Test Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Offensive Challenges
Purdue has experienced a challenging season offensively, currently ranked 67th in points scored with a total of 159. Their passing game stands out as a relative strength, with 1,841 passing yards placing them 38th. However, the rushing attack has struggled, ranking 86th with only 929 yards.
The team’s ability to secure first downs is a positive note, ranking 25th with 156 first downs this season. This indicates a certain level of efficiency in converting plays into new sets of downs, a potential area to exploit against opponents.
Defensive Struggles
Defensively, Purdue ranks 106th in points allowed, conceding 195 points. This has been a significant area of concern for the Boilermakers throughout the season. Despite these struggles, the defense has shown prowess in forcing turnovers with two interceptions ranking 3rd and two fumbles recovered ranking 8th.
Additionally, their pass rush has been effective, accumulating 14 sacks, placing them 15th. This ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks could be a key factor in future games.
Recent Performance
Purdue’s recent games have been tough, with a string of losses including a 19-0 defeat against Northwestern. Their offensive performance in that game was lackluster, managing only 11 first downs and 87 rushing yards. The team will need to improve on these numbers to have success in future matchups.
Despite losing 27-20 to Minnesota, Purdue’s ground game was more effective, totaling 253 rushing yards. This game showcased their potential when the rushing attack is functioning well.
Key Players
Quarterback Ryan Browne has been a standout performer with 1,572 passing yards, ranking 49th nationally. His contributions are vital for Purdue’s offense, especially given his leadership in passing touchdowns. Running back Devin Mockobee has also made a significant impact, amassing 430 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Wide receiver Michael Jackson III leads the receiving corps with 41 receptions and 390 yards, providing a reliable target in the passing game. His contributions are crucial for Purdue’s ability to stretch defenses and create scoring opportunities.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 19 Games (2021–2025) → 14-5 (73.7%)
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: Last 28 Games (2021–2025) → 18-10 (64.3%)
- O/U – After Loss: Last 25 Games (2022–2025) → 16-9 (64.0%)
- O/U – As Underdog: Last 30 Games (2022–2025) → 17-13 (56.7%)
- O/U – Home Games: Last 26 Games (2021–2025) → 14-11 (56.0%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 23 Games (2021–2025) → 13-10 (56.5%)
Rutgers Scarlet Knights Seek Redemption on the Road
Offensive Overview
The Scarlet Knights’ offense has put up 224 points this season, ranking them 34th nationally. Their passing attack is strong, amassing 1,933 yards which places them 24th. However, their ground game has struggled, with just 962 rushing yards, ranking 84th.
Last season, Rutgers’ offense showed more balance, with a stronger rushing performance of 2,312 yards, ranking 44th. This season’s reliance on the passing game might be a focal point against Purdue, as they look to exploit their strengths.
Defensive Challenges
On the defensive side, Rutgers has allowed 221 points, a concerning statistic that ranks them 120th. Despite this, they have been effective at creating turnovers, with three interceptions and five fumble recoveries, ranking 4th and 5th respectively.
The Scarlet Knights’ pass rush has been effective, tallying nine sacks to rank 20th. This pressure could be crucial in disrupting Purdue’s offensive rhythm and giving their defense a chance to control the game.
Recent Performance
In recent weeks, Rutgers has struggled, including a 56-10 loss to Oregon. Their defense allowed 419 rushing yards and 335 passing yards, highlighting vulnerabilities that need addressing.
The Scarlet Knights will need to tighten their defensive schemes and limit big plays to avoid another disappointing result. Their recent losses underscore the importance of improving both sides of the ball.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis is a standout, with 1,864 passing yards, ranking 14th in the league. His connection with top receiver Ian Strong, who has 543 receiving yards, will be vital.
Running back Antwan Raymond is another key player, leading the ground attack with 616 yards. His ability to break through Purdue’s defensive line could be a game-changer.
Team Betting Trends
- O/U – Home Games: Last 9 Games → 9-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – As Favorite: Last 6 Games → 6-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 18 Games → 15-3 (83.3%)
- O/U – All Games: Last 14 Games → 12-2 (85.7%)
- O/U – After Win: Last 5 Games → 5-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – After Loss: Last 8 Games → 7-1 (87.5%)
- ATS – Away Games: Last 28 Games → 16-11 (59.3%)
Purdue vs Rutgers Prediction: Purdue +2.5
Purdue Boilermakers are underdogs at home with a spread of +2.5 against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Despite their recent struggles, Purdue’s performance trends indicate a potential to cover the spread in close games. Their home advantage at Ross-Ade Stadium, combined with a need to rebound from their loss to Northwestern, positions them well in this matchup.
Rutgers, while having a slightly better record, has not proven effective on the road with a 0-2 record away from home this season. Their offensive output, though ranked higher, may struggle against Purdue’s better-ranked defensive line, particularly in sacks. This could limit Rutgers’ ability to pull away in points.
Purdue’s offensive stats, particularly their passing game, provide them with opportunities to exploit Rutgers’ weaknesses. Given Purdue’s tendency to perform better when doubted, their status as home underdogs could see them putting on a strong showing. This game could potentially be their chance to shine in front of their fans and cover the spread.
Taking all this into account, Purdue +2.5 looks favorable against the spread. With both teams struggling in conference play, expect a closely contested game likely decided by a narrow margin.
- Purdue vs Rutgers Prediction: Purdue +2.5
- Purdue vs Rutgers Score: Purdue 28 – Rutgers 24
