As Week 8 of the 2025 college football season unfolds, the Purdue Boilermakers travel to Evanston, IL to take on the Northwestern Wildcats. The game will be held at the Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium and is set for a 3:00 PM kickoff. Fans can catch the action live on BTN. Purdue enters the game with a 2-4 record, struggling on the road with an 0-2 mark and looking to secure their first conference win. Their recent game against Minnesota ended in a narrow 27-20 defeat, where they managed an impressive 253 rushing yards but were hampered by three interceptions. Despite a challenging season, they will aim to turn their fortunes around against a conference opponent. Northwestern, on the other hand, holds a 4-2 record with a strong 3-1 performance at home. They are riding high after a tight 22-21 victory over Penn State, showcasing their ability to win close contests. With a 2-1 conference record, they will look to further solidify their standing in the Big Ten against Purdue.
Northwestern vs Purdue At a Glance
- Game Location: Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium in Evanston, IL
- Television Broadcast: BTN at 3:00 PM
- Purdue Record: 2-4 overall, 0-2 on the road
- Northwestern Record: 4-2 overall, 3-1 at home
- Moneyline Odds: Purdue +140, Northwestern -168
- Weather Conditions: Outdoor field; check local forecast for updates
Northwestern Wildcats Prepare for Home Challenge Against Purdue
Offensive Overview
The Northwestern Wildcats have accumulated 1,088 passing yards this season, placing them at 100th in the national rankings. While their passing game may be middle-of-the-road, their rushing attack is stronger, ranking 44th with 1,113 yards on the ground.
Scoring has been somewhat inconsistent for the Wildcats, averaging 140 points this season and holding the 69th spot nationally. With an improved offensive line and a focus on ground-and-pound tactics, they are looking to exploit Purdue’s defensive line.
Defensive Prowess
Northwestern’s defense has been robust, allowing 106 points, which ranks them 57th. Their ability to pressure quarterbacks is evident, with nine sacks placing them 17th nationally.
The Wildcats excel in creating turnovers, with three interceptions ranking them 4th and one fumble recovery, placing them 8th. This ability to disrupt opposing offenses will be crucial against Purdue.
Recent Performances
In their recent game against Penn State, Northwestern secured a narrow 22-21 victory. The defense played a significant role, allowing only 13 first downs and intercepting one pass.
Prior to that, they dominated Louisiana-Monroe with a 42-7 win, demonstrating offensive balance with 269 passing yards and 246 rushing yards. This versatile performance highlights their potential for explosive plays.
Key Players
Quarterback Preston Stone has been a consistent performer, throwing for 1,081 yards and ranking 88th nationally. His ability to minimize interceptions with only six thrown is crucial for maintaining offensive rhythm.
On the ground, Caleb Komolafe leads the rushing attack with 416 yards, ranking 63rd. His performance is instrumental for sustaining long drives and controlling the tempo of the game.
Injury Impact
The Wildcats are dealing with several injuries, including the loss of key players like Cam Porter for the season. This will test the depth of their roster and could affect their run game strategy.
With a number of players questionable for the upcoming game, the team’s adaptability and readiness will be under scrutiny. The coaching staff will need to make strategic adjustments to compensate for these absences.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: Last 9 Games (2023–2025) → 8-1 (88.9%)
- ATS – After Win: Last 4 Games (2024–2025) → 4-0 (100.0%)
- SU – All Games: Last 3 Games (2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – Totals ≤ 42: Last 3 Games (2024) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- ATS – All Games: Last 5 Games (2025) → 4-1 (80.0%)
Purdue Boilermakers: Can They Boil Over the Wildcats?
Recent Performance
The Purdue Boilermakers are struggling with a series of losses in their recent games. They lost to Minnesota 27-20, marking their most recent defeat. This adds to a string of losses including a 43-27 loss to Illinois, a 56-30 loss to Notre Dame, and a 33-17 loss to USC.
The only victory in their recent outings was against Southern Illinois, where they secured a 34-17 win. This win showcased their ability to perform against teams outside their typical conference matchups. However, the subsequent games have underscored issues that need addressing.
Offensive Insights
Offensively, the Boilermakers rank 34th in passing yards this season, with a total of 1623 yards. Ryan Browne has been a key player, contributing 1541 passing yards. However, their rushing game hasn’t been as effective, ranking 85th with 842 rushing yards.
Despite achieving a respectable 15th place in first downs with 145, converting these opportunities into points has been a challenge. Their total of 159 points ranks them 58th, indicating room for improvement in capitalizing on their offensive drives.
Defensive Challenges
Defensively, Purdue has been vulnerable, ranking 104th with 176 points against. They have demonstrated prowess in pass rush, though, with 14 sacks placing them 12th. Interceptions have been a bright spot, with the Boilermakers ranked 2nd with just 1 allowed.
Yet, their overall defensive performance remains inconsistent, as seen in their inability to prevent high-scoring games. Their recent game against Notre Dame, where they allowed 56 points, highlights the need for defensive adjustments.
Key Players
Ryan Browne has been pivotal for Purdue, leading in passing with 1541 yards. On the ground, Devin Mockobee is the leading rusher with 402 yards, complemented by 4 touchdowns. In the receiving department, Michael Jackson III has been notable with 354 yards and 1 touchdown.
Despite these standout performances, the team needs more cohesive efforts from their key players to turn around their fortunes. The return of players like EJ Horton Jr., currently questionable, could provide a necessary boost.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 14-5 (73.7%) over the last 19 games
- O/U – After Loss: 16-8 (66.7%) over the last 24 games
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: 18-10 (64.3%) over the last 28 games
- O/U – As Underdog: 18-12 (60.0%) over the last 30 games
- O/U – Away Games: 11-7 (61.1%) over the last 18 games
Northwestern vs Purdue Prediction: Under 47.5
Looking at the offensive production of both teams this season, Purdue has scored 159 points over six games, while Northwestern has managed 140 points in the same number of games. This averages to around 26.5 points per game for Purdue and 23.3 for Northwestern, which combined falls just under the game total of 47.5.
Additionally, recent head-to-head matchups between these two teams have consistently been low-scoring. In fact, the last four encounters have all gone under the total, with scores such as 15-23, 9-17, and 32-14, indicating defensive battles.
Purdue’s defensive record shows they have allowed 176 points this season, ranking them 104th in points against, which suggests they may struggle to contain opponents. However, Northwestern’s defense is relatively stronger, ranking 57th in points against with 106 points allowed.
Given the historical trend of low-scoring games between these teams and the current season’s scoring averages, the game projects to be another defensive showdown. A projected final score of Northwestern 24 – Purdue 20 supports the under 47.5 pick.
- Northwestern vs Purdue Prediction: Under 47.5
- Northwestern vs Purdue Score: Northwestern 24 – Purdue 20
