After the worst loss in program history, Purdue looks to stabilize itself in the Pacific Northwest and travels to Oregon State to conclude its non-conference play.
Our GoldandBlack.com team’s predictions…
MIKE CARMIN, EMPLOYEE
General idea: Early test to see what the Boilermakers can do when facing a team their weight class. Granted, the long trip and other factors present further obstacles for Purdue, which must rise to the challenge and respond after last week’s loss to Notre Dame. The Boilermakers must emulate the Irish in their approach and focus this week and deliver a comeback performance.
*The* key to the game: Will Purdue bring its physicality and discipline on the 4 ½ hour flight?
Your selection to click (attack): Gus Hartwig and the offensive line. ND finished off the Boilermakers, and this will be a game of honor for the offensive group. Establishing the run is one way to relieve the frustrations of last week.
Your choice to click (defense): Dillon Thieneman. He knows he didn’t play well against the Irish and will make up for his performance. Expect a great game from the sophomore.
Hottest variant: Purdue-Oregon State will get better ratings than LIV Golf on The CW.
Expected result: Purdue 26, Oregon State 22
TOM DIENHART, GOLDANDBLACK.COM
General idea: It’s only mid-September and Purdue is already at a crossroads. Really. A win is a huge success. A loss? It could derail the season before we even get to the bottom of the paper.
*The* key to the game: Start fast. This team needs confidence after a demoralizing 66-7 loss. A fast start would be a nice boost for what could be a fragile psyche.
Your selection to click (attack): WR Jahmal EdrineThe Beavers have played a lot of weak coverage. Edrine will make them pay with a 10-catch day.
Your choice to click (defense): S Dillon Thieneman. There’s no sugarcoating it: No. 31 looked bad last week. He knows it. And Thieneman will make up for it with a big game this week.
Hottest variant: Yes, it’s only the third game of the season, but we have to win it.
Expected result: Purdue 31, Oregon State 30. The Boilermaker offense comes to life and scores a late touchdown to take the win. Take a bow, Hudson Map.
ALAN KARPICK, GOLDANDBLACK.COM
General idea: It’s showtime for Purdue.
*The* key to the game: Purdue’s mental state. Will it be fight or flight for the Boilermakers? A hostile crowd is expected in Corvallis, and it will be a big test for the visitors to see if they are up to the task.
Your selection to click (attack): Hudson Map. It has to, right? Purdue needs to rebuild its offensive power, and Card’s accuracy and decision-making are key.
Your pick to click (defense): Dillon Thieneman. After a very subpar performance from Purdue’s most decorated defender, Oregon is expected to make a big comeback.
Hottest variant: Purdue will compete hard in this game and has every chance to win it at midnight (ET).
Expected result: Oregon State 24, Purdue 21
JORDAN JONES, EMPLOYEE
General idea: What is Purdue’s reality? Is it more the team that dominated an inferior opponent, or is it more the team that was embarrassed by Notre Dame? We’ll find out in this game. If Purdue hopes to do better in 2024 than it did in 2023, it probably needs to fly home victorious from Corvallis.
*The* key to the game: If Purdue can’t keep up in the trenches, it’s because the team doesn’t have the game-winning ability at its specialty positions to overcome that.
Your selection to click (attack): Max Klare. So far, he looks like Purdue’s most dynamic target in the passing game. It’s unlikely that Purdue will be able to pull off a win through ground fighting and hitting, and Klare will be a difficult cover for the Beavers.
Your choice to click (defense): Jeffrey M’ba. He seems to have improved as he continues to settle into his football career. Purdue will need him and the defensive line to disrupt Oregon State’s run-heavy attack.
Hottest variant: On Saturday, at around 8:15 p.m., Twitter crashed because fans didn’t know how to turn on The CW.
Expected result: Purdue 28, Oregon State 27
BRIAN NEUBERT, SASQUATCH ANTAGONIST
General idea: You will never experience a trip outside the conference west Never again. Goodbye forever.
*The* key to the game: Anger. Purdue just got historic-ishly beaten by Notre Dame; Oregon State got screwed by Oregon. Who cares anymore, um, damn it?
Your selection to click (attack): Max Klare is the real deal, Purdue’s best receiver and most dangerous opponent on big plays.
Your choice to click (defense): Kydran JenkinsBut Purdue still has to play these games between the tackles.
Hottest variant: Thanks to the destruction of the Pac-12, I discovered this useless stew of free filler channels deep in the bowels of my TVs. This game is on one of those channels, sandwiched between reruns of “Mama’s Family” and a slew of channels playing music that barely has any hallmarks of “music.”
Expected result: Purdue 27, Oregon State 24
CHAT GTP, EMPLOYEE AI BOT
I’m just trying to make us more interesting…
