Notre Dame
1st IA-INDEPENDENTS8-4
Purdue
7th Big Ten6-6
Notre Dame @ Purdue preview
Ross-Ade Stadium
Last Meeting ( Sep 4, 2010 ) Purdue 12, Notre Dame 23
THE STORY: Notre Dame looks for its second straight road victory and third consecutive victory overall when it plays at in-state rival Purdue. The Fighting Irish have crept back to the .500 mark despite 15 turnovers in their first four games, rallying for a 15-12 victory at Pittsburgh. The Boilermakers were off last week after a 59-0 rout of Southeast Missouri on Sept. 17.
TV: ESPN. LINE: Notre Dame -12.5.
ABOUT NOTRE DAME (2-2): The Fighting Irish have a pair of dynamic players on offense in wide receiver Michael Floyd (35 catches, 424 yards) and running back Cierre Wood (393 yards, four touchdowns), but the offense has been crippled by its own mistakes. Notre Dame ranks last in the nation in turnover margin (-2.5 per game), with five giveaways in the red zone alone. Quarterback Tommy Rees has passed for 998 yards but also thrown six interceptions.
ABOUT PURDUE (2-1): The Boilermakers recovered well from a disappointing 24-22 loss at Rice on Sept. 10, rushing for 393 yards and seven touchdowns two weeks ago en route to their first shutout win since 2004. Purdue ranks 11th nationally in rushing offense (258.7 yards per game) and 19th in total offense (471). Quarterback Caleb TerBush has completed 63 percent of his passes while leading the balanced attack.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Notre Dame has won the last three meetings and five of the last six, including 23-12 at home last season.
2. This will be the seventh night game ever played at Ross-Ade Stadium and the third against Notre Dame. The Irish won each of the first two (2005 and 2009).
3. Purdue kicker Carson Wiggs converted a 67-yard field goal during the team's spring game, which would have tied the NCAA record. His regular-season long is 59 yards.
PREDICTION: Notre Dame 27, Purdue 24. The Boilermakers haven't faced much competition this season, but several wild cards - an extra week of rest, Wiggs' leg and Irish turnovers - could help swing the game their way if they can stay close.