Northwestern football has a big home game against Purdue coming up. Here’s how the Inside NU staff thinks its going to shake out.
Miguel Muñoz: Northwestern 20, Purdue 15
The ‘Cats are in quite possibly the best spot they could have imagined this year, sitting at 4-2 — just two games away from bowl eligibility – halfway through the regular season. But the upcoming schedule won’t be easy. Up next, the Boilermakers present another test for NU, just one season after the Wildcats came into West Lafayette
and won in overtime. I wouldn’t be surprised if dual-threat quarterback Ryan Browne and this offense keep the Boilers in it for a while. But if NU can contain Browne as well as talented runner Devin Mockobee, it should be able to escape with a win.
Charlie Perlman: Northwestern 20, Purdue 13
Despite what the record shows, Purdue remains a dangerous opponent. The Boilermakers racked up 456 yards of total offense in a 27–20 loss to Minnesota, undone by a pair of late mistakes. Still, the Wildcats’ backfield tandem of Komolafe and Himon II could be too much for Purdue’s defense to contain. On the other side, Ore Adeyi, Josh Fussell and Robert Fitzgerald are poised to limit the Boilermakers’ passing attack, putting the pressure squarely on running back Devin Mockobee to carry the offense. Northwestern fans should brace for another roller-coaster finish — and Purdue fans might want to prepare for more frustration.
Charlie Jacobs: Northwestern 24, Purdue 18
Northwestern is coming off a huge high after upsetting Penn State in Happy Valley. The ‘Cats need to stay focused on the season and not let that win deter them from doing so. Purdue, on the other hand, is a changed team. Ryan Browne is a real threat at quarterback and the Boilermakers have been able to score consistently this season (even though the record doesn’t tell the full story). Purdue’s defense is not as good as Penn State’s, so I’ll still go with Northwestern as the ‘Cats have been improving every week offensively. Watch out for the weather, though!
Ascher Levin: Northwestern 21, Purdue 10
After a terrific win at Penn State, the ’Cats return home carrying the momentum of three straight victories. Saturday’s matchup with Purdue is crucial if Northwestern wants to put itself in a strong position to secure a bowl berth. The team’s success has been built on its run game, anchored by a steady and disciplined offensive line. Purdue has been average at stopping the run, allowing 139.8 yards per game, which ranks 51st nationally. With rain and wind expected along the lakefront, Northwestern will likely lean heavily on the ground game once again. Purdue has shown the ability to stay competitive and its offense has been capable, but Northwestern’s physicality and consistency should make the difference. The ’Cats will control the tempo, wear down the Boilermakers and power their way to a fourth straight win.
Donovan West: Northwestern 20, Purdue 17
All of a sudden, Northwestern, picked by most to finish in the bottom three of the Big Ten, has four wins and is in a great spot to qualify for a bowl game. That being said, this week’s matchup with Purdue may be a must-win to make postseason play more than just a fever dream. The ‘Cats will likely be favored in only two more games this season, Purdue being one of them, so Preston Stone, Caleb Komolafe, and company have to come out hot. On the other side is a gritty Purdue team that likely sees its trip to Evanston as one of its only remaining chances to get a win in Big Ten play. Both teams will be tense, and it should be a physical, probably ugly, game that comes down to the final possession. In the end, I’m taking the ‘Cats for their proven ability to run it down the opposition’s throats.
Patrick Winograd: Northwestern 24, Purdue 20
After pulling off a shocking upset against Penn State on the road, the ‘Cats have an opportunity to improve to 5-2 at home. Purdue does not have anywhere near the same talent on its roster that Penn State did, but the Boilermakers will fight hard to keep this game close. Northwestern has a golden opportunity to claim victory and end up on the verge of the program’s first bowl appearance since the ‘Cats defeated Utah in the 2023 Las Vegas Bowl, and they will not let that opportunity slip away.
Matt Campbell: Northwestern 27, Purdue 17
Northwestern has one of the best rushing schemes in the Big Ten, and the Penn State victory embodies that sentiment to a tee. Being able to go carry-for-carry with one of the best running back duos in Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton shows how much growth this ‘Cats offense has undergone through the first six weeks of the season. It’s hard to believe that they won’t be able to post another 100+ number against a team that allows 130 rushing yards per game. As for the ‘Cats defense, they’ll have a tough, but manageable test against an improved Ryan Browne and a talented running back in Devin Mackobee. However, the upset last week shows the defense starting to gel — especially down the stretch, and I’d find it hard to believe that Purdue would be able to sustain its offense for all four quarters.
Bryan Boanoh: Northwestern 24, Purdue 21
The last time Purdue played a team with a dominant rushing attack was in its week four visit to Notre Dame. In that game, Jeremiyah Love ran for 157 yards on 8.3(!) yards per carry and found the endzone twice. Are Caleb Komolafe and Joseph Himon II the same caliber of running back as Jeremiyah Love? No, truthfully no one else in college football really is, but Northwestern doesn’t have to be 26 points better than Purdue like Notre Dame was. If the Wildcats can continue to play efficient, complementary football as they have been doing since the bye week, they should be able to have a good day on offense against the Boilermakers.
Defensively, the NU game plan should be to just let Purdue beat itself. Purdue has turned the ball over 11 times in its last four games. The Wildcats will be kicking themselves if they don’t force at least one turnover Saturday. Northwestern should dominate time of possession by keeping the ball on the ground, and it should expect one or two extra possessions thanks to Purdue’s offensive mistakes. Those factors should be enough for the Wildcats to get their fifth win of the season.
Drew Christmann: Northwestern 20, Purdue 13
If the ‘Cats want to get into a bowl game this year, Saturday’s game against Purdue is a must-win. In Northwestern’s five remaining games of the season, four of those teams are ranked (Nebraska, USC) or have been at some point this season (Michigan, Illinois), and the Minnesota Gophers aren’t too bad themselves, sitting at 4-2 through six weeks. Northwestern will still have to steal one of those games, but that’s a lot easier than having to steal two. With this being one of the final games the ‘Cats are favored in, the offense has to be on point. Komolafe, Himon have to get the ball moving early to open up the field for Preston Stone to make some plays. As for the defense, they’ll have their hands full with dual-threat QB Ryan Browne and the rest of the Boilermaker offense. Keeping Browne contained and forcing mistakes will be key if the Wildcats hope to walk away with the W on Family Weekend.
Sai Trivedi: Northwestern 24, Purdue 13
Northwestern enters this matchup with tremendous momentum, as every part of the team is starting to click. Preston Stone has found a rhythm with his diverse receiver core, the running back room has maintained its strength post-Cam Porter injury, the defense is on an upward trend with Anto Saka returning this week and the team chemistry as a whole is becoming more cohesive. It won’t be easy to contain Purdue’s offense, but the ‘Cats defense has situationally come through in recent weeks and the physicality won’t go unnoticed. On offense, a polished Lujan playbook that relies on gaining yards via the ground and air has proven necessary in past wins, and should be expected again in this one. If NU can replicate what has worked for it in recent weeks, its final game at the lakefront should end positively.
Calvin Kaplan: Purdue 27, Northwestern 23
I hate to bring down the overall vibes in this article, but this contest has all the makings of a trap game for the ‘Cats. Yes, they’re coming off a huge win against Penn State, but the Nittany Lions have simply been reeling, as evidenced by the firing of James Franklin after last Saturday’s upset. Meanwhile, Purdue is a sneaky team on the rise, as it led Minnesota entering the fourth quarter a week ago before losing a 27-20 heartbreaker. The Boilermakers can put up points on anyone, and I expect the Wildcats’ defensive line to have a hard time stopping running back Devin Mockobee, who nearly had a 100-yard day against the Golden Gophers. David Braun may be correct that his players aren’t taking their feet off the gas after Penn State, but I still view this game as close to a toss-up, with the odds leaning slightly in Purdue’s favor.
Yanyan Li: Northwestern 20, Purdue 17
I’m going to have to agree with Calvin here and say that this game feels like a trap game. Despite the 2-4 record, the Boilermakers aren’t the same team that they were last year — putting up 30 on a team like Notre Dame is no joke. However, the ‘Cats clearly know the stakes in front of them, as immediately after beating Penn State, David Braun and co. were blatant about viewing the upset as just another win and focusing on Purdue the next week. My prediction is that Northwestern sticks to its word and gets the narrow win.
