Purdue at Northwestern Prediction - College Football Picks 11/18/23

Northwestern Wildcats (5-5) vs Purdue Boilermakers (3-7)

Game Info: Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 12:00 pm (Ryan Field)

Betting Odds: Northwestern Wildcats -1.5 -- Over/Under: 48.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Purdue Boilermakers will head up to Evanston to meet the Northwestern Wildcats in Big Ten play this weekend from Ryan Field.

Purdue Boilermakers Preview

Purdue moved to 3-7 after defeating Minnesota at home, 49-30. The Boilermakers stopped the bleeding with their best offensive outing of the season, and they’ll look to tack on another win here on the road. The Purdue offense is scoring 25.7 ppg, while passing for 248.5 ypg, rushing for 141.2 ypg, and converting 45.5% of their third downs.

Purdue Player Notes

Hudson Card leads Purdue in passing with 2,112 yards, and 12 touchdowns to eight interceptions after a big three-score outing against Minnesota.

Sophomore back Devin Mockobee tallied a season-high 153 yards versus Minnesota, and he leads Purdue in rushing with 711 yards on 142 carries, with four touchdowns.

Senior RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. had a big game of his own, and he’s totaled 508 yards on 86 touches for the season.

Sophomore wideout Deion Burks has scored in consecutive contests, and he leads the Boilermakers in receiving yards (529) on 36 catches.

The Purdue defense is allowing 28.0 points per game.

Northwestern Wildcats Preview

Northwestern comes in at 5-5 after defeating Wisconsin on the road, 24-10. The Wildcats used a strong two-way effort to get back to .500, and they’ll look to avoid trading their eleventh game this season. The Northwestern offense is scoring 20.5 ppg, while gaining 193.7 ypg through the air, and rushing for 101.6ypg.

Northwestern Player Notes

Ben Bryant leads Northwestern in passing with 1,121 yards, and eight touchdowns to two interceptions, after returning with a strong effort in Madison last weekend.

Senior back Cam Porter reached the 70-yard mark last week, and he leads NW in rushing with 454 yards on 123 touches.

ASU transfer Cam Johnson has scored in back-to-back games, and he leads the Wildcats in receptions (40), with 472 receiving yards.

The Northwestern defense has allowed 22.8 points per game.

Purdue vs Northwestern Trends

PUR is 4-6 against the spread, with a 6-4 O/U record.

NW is 5-4 ATS, with a 5-4 over/under record.

Corey’s Free Pick

Purdue finally broke through last weekend, but so did Northwestern after getting a big return from Ben Bryant behind center, and I like the hosts shaking this nasty trend of trading each game this season. Each victory has been followed up by a loss, and with a real chance to clinch a bowl game with a win here at home, the Wildcats should come out to play. Purdue’s shaky stretch of play may leave the door open for an upset, but let’s spot Northwestern the points for safety in this Big Ten clash.