Nebraska (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) will face off against Purdue (1-2, 0-0) in a college football showdown on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET, airing on Peacock. The odds favor Nebraska by 10 points in this matchup, with the series history tied at 6-6. This game holds significance as both teams seek to improve their records and make a statement in the Big Ten conference.
Nebraska’s perfect start to the season was disrupted by an overtime loss in their previous game, causing them to drop out of the Top 25 rankings. They will rely on standout freshman QB Dylan Raiola to lead them in his first road game, set to take place at a packed Ross-Ade Stadium painted in red. Purdue, on the other hand, is looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses before facing tough challenges against Wisconsin and No. 19 Illinois in upcoming games.
A key matchup to watch in this game is Nebraska’s ground game against Purdue’s run defense. Despite not fully embracing a run-heavy strategy this season, Nebraska may shift towards a more traditional approach given Purdue’s struggles in stopping the run. Purdue’s defense has been allowing an average of 269.0 rushing yards per game, ranking them third-worst in the FBS in that category.
Players to keep an eye on include Nebraska’s LB John Bullock, who has been performing at a high level with impressive stats in tackles, sacks, tackles for loss, and pass breakups. Purdue’s quarterback, Hudson Card, will aim to improve his performance after facing challenges in recent games, including interceptions and low passing yardage.
In terms of historical matchups, despite Nebraska coach Matt Rhule winning his first game against Purdue last year, the Boilermakers have dominated the series in recent years. Purdue has won four of the last six meetings and has outscored Nebraska 185-183 during that span. Nebraska will be playing their first road game of the season, hoping to improve on their 1-4 road record from the previous year.
Purdue stands out as the only FBS team without a takeaway in the first four weeks of the season, highlighting an area they need to address for defensive impact. Raiola’s strong performance in the previous game, with 297 passing yards and three touchdowns, gives Nebraska optimism heading into this matchup. Purdue, however, has struggled in recent games, being outscored 104-28 in their last two outings.
Nebraska’s recent run in the Top 25 rankings came to an end after a two-week appearance, marking a positive milestone for the team. Both Nebraska and Purdue will look to make a statement in this game and shift momentum in their favor as the season progresses. Football fans can anticipate an exciting matchup between these Big Ten rivals as they battle it out on the field this weekend.