Spread Released for Purdue vs. Northwestern — Boilers Still Underdogs in Big Ten Play
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Purdue's run as an underdog against Big Ten opponents will extend into another week. Northwestern will enter next Saturday's game as a slim favorite in Evanston.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Northwestern has opened as a 3.5-point favorite for next week's game against Purdue. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET and the game will air on Big Ten Network.
The Boilermakers have been an underdog against every Big Ten opponent they have faced this season — USC, Illinois, Minnesota, and now Northwestern. Purdue was also an underdog to Notre Dame.
This week marks the fifth straight in which Purdue is an underdog. Barry Odom's team has been a favorite just once this year; the season-opener against Ball State. There was no spread for the Week 2 game against Southern Illinois.
Northwestern coming off a huge win
Coach David Braun led his Wildcats to a massive road win on Saturday, defeating Penn State 22-21 in Happy Valley. It was the third straight victory for Northwestern, having defeated UCLA, UL-Monroe, and Penn State.
Quarterback Preston Stone completed 17-of-26 passes for 163 yards and a touchdown and wide receiver Griffin Wilde hauled in seven receptions for 94 yards and a score in the win. Northwestern held the Nittany Lions to just 274 yards of offense and forced two turnovers in the win.
Braun's team improved to 4-2 on the season and is 2-1 in Big Ten play.
Northwestern is a perfect 2-0 against Purdue under Braun. The Wildcats defeated the Boilermakers 23-15 in Evanston in 2023 and won a 26-20 overtime contest in West Lafayette last season.
Purdue drops another Big Ten game
Purdue, on the other hand, is coming off a fourth straight loss and remains winless in Big Ten play after a disappointing 27-20 loss to Minnesota on Saturday night. The Boilermakers were hindered by three turnovers and nine penalties.
With the loss, Purdue dropped to 2-4 on the season and remains winless against Big Ten opponents. The Boilermakers are searching for their first conference victory since a win over Indiana in the 2023 season finale at Ross-Ade Stadium.
Purdue leads Northwestern 53-35-1 in the all-time series but has lost the last two games to the Wildcats. The Boilers' last victory in the series came in 2022, a 17-9 win at Ross-Ade Stadium.
That season, Purdue went on to win the Big Ten West under then-head coach Jeff Brohm.
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WHAT ODOM SAID: Purdue remains winless in the Big Ten after suffering a 27-20 loss to Minnesota on Saturday night. Here's what coach Barry Odom said after the game. CLICK HERE
Dustin Schutte is the publisher of Purdue Boilermakers on SI and has spent more than a decade working in sports journalism. His career began in 2013, when he covered Big Ten football. He remained in that role for eight years before working at On SI to cover the Boilermakers. Dustin graduated from Manchester University in Indiana in 2010, where he played for the men's tennis team.
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