No. 4 Penn State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP) at Purdue (1-8, 0-6), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EST (CBS)
Betting Odds: Penn State is favored by 28.5 points.
All-time Series: Penn State holds a 16-3-1 advantage.

What’s on the Line?
The Nittany Lions are among the four teams still in contention for a spot in the Big Ten Championship game. However, their chances would take a significant hit with another defeat, particularly against a struggling Boilermakers team. Purdue is currently experiencing an eight-game losing streak, the longest for the program in a single season since they ended 2013 with ten straight losses. As they look to salvage a disappointing season, the Boilermakers will aim for a Senior Day victory.

Key Matchup
The battle will center around Penn State’s running backs, Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, facing Purdue’s run defense. The Nittany Lions have been dominant on the ground throughout the season, averaging 5.2 yards per carry and recently rushing for 266 yards in a decisive win over Washington. They are expected to employ a solid ground game against a Purdue defense that is allowing an average of 199.9 rushing yards per game, ranking 118th in FBS.

Players to Keep an Eye On
For Penn State, Tyler Warren is a player to track. The fourth-year tight end has proven to be one of the most versatile players in the nation, excelling in running, throwing, blocking, and receiving. With 59 receptions for 681 yards and four touchdowns, he poses a significant threat to a Purdue defense that has had difficulties throughout the season.
On the Purdue side, quarterbacks Hudson Card and Ryan Browne will be under scrutiny. Card has started the last two games, but his recent performance against Ohio State (9 of 19 for 108 yards with one interception) raises questions. Browne, although failing to complete either of his two passes last week, offers a dual-threat option with his running ability, which may benefit Purdue against a solid Penn State defense.

Notable Facts
Penn State has won ten consecutive games against Purdue and has not lost to the Boilermakers since 2004 while playing in State College. Currently, Purdue is still seeking its first victory against an FBS opponent and is one of eight FBS teams without a conference win. In their recent game against Washington, the Nittany Lions scored 35 points, marking their second-highest score of the year (they scored 56 against Kent State). Notably, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar had a brief appearance at Ross-Ade Stadium during his college debut against Purdue in 2022, where he went 2 of 4 for 26 yards. In addition, Boilermakers safety Dillon Thieneman, a preseason All-American, recorded 11 tackles in last week’s game against the Buckeyes.