Notre Dame vs Purdue: Last-Minute Spread Info and Predictions

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish take on the Purdue Boilermakers in an in-state rivalry showdown.

Notre Dame and Purdue are playing for a great deal of respect. Purdue has not been given a great deal of run as they have trounced most of who have met them on the field.

The Boilermakers have their work cut out for them. They are going against a tougher team than they have faced this season.

Notre Dame has a tough defense and are far more battle-tested. The latter should prove valuable as Saturday will be a raucous affair.

Let's take a deeper look at this Saturday rivalry game.  

Where: Ross-Ade Stadium

When: Saturday, Oct. 1, 8 p.m. EST

Watch: ESPN

Spread: Notre Dame -12 Courtesy of Bodog.eu

With Tommy Rees getting more comfortable, I see Notre Dame opening up this game early. The Irish can withstand the rocking stadium. The poise will allow them to win this one very comfortably. 

Over/Under: 48

I am on the cusp of loving this over-under. I have my doubts that a quarterback controversy will allow the Boilermakers to score with enough regularity to have this reach 50. 

Key Injuries

Notre Dame: Danny Spond, Questionable; Mike Ragone, Out for Season; Eiler Hardy, Out for Season; Tate Nichols, Out (mid-Oct)

Purdue: Jared Crank, Questionable; Gerald Gooden, Questionable; Gabe Holmes, Questionable; Rob Henry, Out for Season

BCS/Top-25 Poll Implications

Neither team can hope for top-25 action with a win here. Notre Dame will move a lot closer, though. 

The Irish will need another commanding win to get back into the good graces with voters. That journey should start with a dominating win over Purdue. 

Keys to Notre Dame Win

This game should be as simple as doing things correctly. The Irish have had games slip from them this season due to turnovers and shoddy play. If they take care of the ball, this game will be Notre Dame's. 

Keys to Purdue Win

Offense will be key here. Robert Marve will have another game under his belt, but will have to contend with a Notre Dame defense that is very good when they want to be.

Prediction: Notre Dame 30, Purdue 17