Free NCAA Football Prediction: Boilermakers vs. Fighting Irish Odds
Looking for Purdue Boilermakers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish free picks? College football betting sees the Boilermakers taking on the Fighting Irish on Saturday, September 18th at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football game Week 3 predictions like this Purdue Notre Dame free pick.
College Football Handicapping Analysis: Week 3
(2-0) Purdue Boilermakers vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2-0)
Date: Saturday, September 18th, 2021
Time: 2:30 pm EST
Venue: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, Indiana
NCAA Football ATS Spread Odds: Boilermakers +11.5, Fighting Irish -11.5
NCAA Football Moneyline Odds: Boilermakers +310, Fighting Irish -400
NCAA Betting Total Odds: O/U 48.5
The Purdue Boilermakers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish will battle for The Shillelagh Trophy this weekend in South Bend. Both teams enter this inner-state rivalry on strong notes, but the Fighting Irish have had to avoid disaster in both contests.
HISTORY: This will be the 85th time these two programs have clashed. They played every season from 1948-2014, and Notre Dame leads the all-time series 56-26-2.
Purdue Boilermakers
The Purdue Boilermakers have started the 2021 with a pair of victories over Oregon State and UConn. They jumped out to a big 35-0 halftime lead last weekend and destroyed the Huskies, but it came at a big cost, as they lost 2020 leading rusher Zander Horvath to a leg injury.
Jack Plummer has been very accurate and commanding through the first two games. After throwing for 313 passing yards and two scores in the opener against OSU, he went 16-20 for 245 yards and four touchdowns. He won’t make anything for the Fighting Irish Saturday.
Purdue will feel the loss of Xander Horvath. The senior back led the Boilermakers with 442 rushing yards, and caught 30 passes in 2020. His injury will open the door for backs King Doerue and Dylan Dowling to handle the load. Doerue led last week with 74 rushing yards on 12 carries and a score, while Downing posted an identical 14-carry, 42-yard line.
The Boilermakers lost one of the best playmakers in the country in Rondale Moore, but junior receiver David Bell has stepped up in a big way. Through two games, Bell has 14 catches for 255 receiving yards and he scored three times last week. Tight end Payne Durham has been impressive so far as well, and he’s second on the team in catches (11) and yards (120).
After holding Oregon State to less than 80 yards rushing, Purdue shut out UConn last weekend, forced a pair of turnovers.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have avoided disaster early with a pair of three-point victories. Going into Tallahassee was tough, but Toledo coming into town and putting a scare on the Irish was unseen. They remain CFB hopefuls with arguably the most diverse schedule in the nation.
Jack Coan’s toughness was a full display last weekend. After having his finger put back into place, the Wisconsin transfer completed a go-ahead touchdown drive. He’s looked good in his first two games for Notre Dame, throwing for 605 yards, with six touchdowns to two interceptions.
Kyren Williams has picked up right where left off last season. He’s gained over 100 all-purpose yards in both contests so far. His dual-threat ability is complimented by sophomore back Chris Tyree, who ran for a touchdown against Florida State, and caught a touchdown against Toledo last weekend.
Sophomore Michael Mayer has been a nice security blanket Coan’s through the first two games. He caught nine passes for 120 yards and a touchdown against Florida State, and he scored twice against Toledo last weekend. Kevin Austin Jr. is second on the team with eight catches and 154 receiving yards.
The Fighting Irish have been pushed to brink defensively in the first two weeks, but they have forced two turnovers in each game.
Free Week 3 NCAA Football Pick
Notre Dame has so many classic rivalries, and it’s nice to see another one brought back in the fold. South Bend will be wild when Purdue travels two hours north this weekend. This should be a contested battle.
4* Free Week 3 NCAA Betting Pick: Purdue +11.5
This game will bring out the best in both sides. Purdue has been a thorn in CFB Playoff contenders side for the past three seasons, and they could crash the party for the Fighting Irish early with an upset right here. Traveling into this hostile environment and escaping with a win would be very tough for the Boilermakers, but we do like spotting them 11 points against a vulnerable Notre Dame defense.
Take Purdue’s game spread, and eye the over of 48.5 with both teams flowing well offensively to start the season.
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