Purdue (2-4) vs Northwestern (4-2)
October 18, 2025 at 03:00 PM EDT
The Line: Betting Odds: Northwestern -3 — Over/Under: 0.0001
The Purdue Boilermakers and the Northwestern Wildcats meet Saturday in college football action from Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Here’s a Purdue vs Northwestern prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Purdue vs Northwestern pick. We will examine:
The Purdue Boilermakers recent form and player performance
The Northwestern Wildcats recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Purdue Boilermakers
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Northwestern Wildcats
Recent betting trends in games played between Purdue and Northwestern
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Purdue vs Northwestern game
Purdue was able to hit the ground running this year, taking out Ball State in a blowout before a 34-17 win over Southern Illinois. The Boilermakers would then hit a rough stretch in the schedule, falling to USC, Notre Dame and Illinois in their next three outings. In the 43-27 loss versus the Illini, the Boilermakers gave up 507 total yards and 8.0 yards per play but also held Illinois to just 2-of-11 on third downs. The Purdue offense gathered 453 yards on the other side, going 5-of-13 on third-down conversions along the way.
In their matchup with Minnesota last weekend, the Boilermakers were looking good after three quarters on a 20-13 advantage. Purdue gave up two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth however, eventually losing 27-20 on the road. QB Ryan Browne was 21-of-40 for 203 yards and two picks. Leading the rush was Devin Mockobee with 21 carries for 98 yards (Browne also had a rush score), and Nitro Tuggle topped the receivers with three grabs for 58 yards. Corey Smith added six catches for 57 yards in the defeat as well.
Over on the Northwestern side, they fell 23-3 in a road matchup versus Tulane in their opener this year. The Wildcats would bounce back with a blowout win over Western Illinois, then fell at home versus Oregon. The next two games were both wins, coming 17-14 over UCLA and 42-7 versus LA-Monroe. In the win over the Warhawks, the Wildcats gathered up 515 total yards (246 of those being on the ground), 7.3 yards per play, 26 first downs and 11-of-17 on third-down conversion attempts.
Matched up against Penn State last weekend, the Wildcats were down by one point 14-13 going into the final frame. After a 9-7 run, Northwestern had the big road victory 22-21 in the end. QB Preston Stone was 17-of-26 for 163 yards and a touchdown while Caleb Komolafe carried 19 times for 72 yards and a score as the top rusher. Griffin Wilde led the receivers on seven catches for 94 yards and a touchdown in the victory on the road.
Heading into Week 8, Griffin Wilde leads Northwestern for receptions (32) this season.
Purdue Boilermakers Player Prop Facts
Heading into Week 8, Michael Jackson III leads Purdue for receptions (36) this season.
Northwestern ranks T17th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (7.5).
Northwestern ranks 18th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (160.3).
Purdue ranks 11th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage this season (76.9).
Purdue ranks 126th among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (72.0).
I’m going with Northwestern. Beating the Nittany Lions is less and less meaningful with each passing week these days, but the Wildcats get credit for a nice road win last Saturday. Northwestern posted 282 yards in the victory with 23 first downs and a pretty rough 5-of-13 on third-down tries. The defense came up with a couple takeaways and held Penn State to just 13 first downs overall in a good effort. Northwestern is cooking right now with three straight wins, but two of those have come by three points or fewer.
As for Purdue, they had a bad fourth quarter against Minnesota; otherwise it would have been a nice road win last Saturday. The Boilermakers had four turnovers and nine overall penalties in that one, torpedoing an otherwise solid effort. Purdue has hit the skids lately with four straight losses, scoring 20 or fewer points in two of those. I’m not enthused about their chances here.
The Purdue Boilermakers recent form and player performance
The Northwestern Wildcats recent form and player performance
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Purdue Boilermakers
Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Northwestern Wildcats
Recent betting trends in games played between Purdue and Northwestern
A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Purdue vs Northwestern game
Purdue Boilermakers Betting Preview
Purdue was able to hit the ground running this year, taking out Ball State in a blowout before a 34-17 win over Southern Illinois. The Boilermakers would then hit a rough stretch in the schedule, falling to USC, Notre Dame and Illinois in their next three outings. In the 43-27 loss versus the Illini, the Boilermakers gave up 507 total yards and 8.0 yards per play but also held Illinois to just 2-of-11 on third downs. The Purdue offense gathered 453 yards on the other side, going 5-of-13 on third-down conversions along the way.
In their matchup with Minnesota last weekend, the Boilermakers were looking good after three quarters on a 20-13 advantage. Purdue gave up two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth however, eventually losing 27-20 on the road. QB Ryan Browne was 21-of-40 for 203 yards and two picks. Leading the rush was Devin Mockobee with 21 carries for 98 yards (Browne also had a rush score), and Nitro Tuggle topped the receivers with three grabs for 58 yards. Corey Smith added six catches for 57 yards in the defeat as well.
Northwestern Wildcats Betting Preview
Over on the Northwestern side, they fell 23-3 in a road matchup versus Tulane in their opener this year. The Wildcats would bounce back with a blowout win over Western Illinois, then fell at home versus Oregon. The next two games were both wins, coming 17-14 over UCLA and 42-7 versus LA-Monroe. In the win over the Warhawks, the Wildcats gathered up 515 total yards (246 of those being on the ground), 7.3 yards per play, 26 first downs and 11-of-17 on third-down conversion attempts.
Matched up against Penn State last weekend, the Wildcats were down by one point 14-13 going into the final frame. After a 9-7 run, Northwestern had the big road victory 22-21 in the end. QB Preston Stone was 17-of-26 for 163 yards and a touchdown while Caleb Komolafe carried 19 times for 72 yards and a score as the top rusher. Griffin Wilde led the receivers on seven catches for 94 yards and a touchdown in the victory on the road.
Purdue Boilermakers @ Northwestern Wildcats Betting Trends: Week 8
Northwestern Wildcats Player Prop Facts
Heading into Week 8, Griffin Wilde leads Northwestern for receptions (32) this season.
Purdue Boilermakers Player Prop Facts
Heading into Week 8, Michael Jackson III leads Purdue for receptions (36) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
Northwestern ranks T17th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (7.5).
Northwestern ranks 18th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (160.3).
Purdue ranks 11th among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage this season (76.9).
Purdue ranks 126th among FBS teams for red zone percentage this season (72.0).
Purdue vs Northwestern Prediction
I’m going with Northwestern. Beating the Nittany Lions is less and less meaningful with each passing week these days, but the Wildcats get credit for a nice road win last Saturday. Northwestern posted 282 yards in the victory with 23 first downs and a pretty rough 5-of-13 on third-down tries. The defense came up with a couple takeaways and held Penn State to just 13 first downs overall in a good effort. Northwestern is cooking right now with three straight wins, but two of those have come by three points or fewer.
As for Purdue, they had a bad fourth quarter against Minnesota; otherwise it would have been a nice road win last Saturday. The Boilermakers had four turnovers and nine overall penalties in that one, torpedoing an otherwise solid effort. Purdue has hit the skids lately with four straight losses, scoring 20 or fewer points in two of those. I’m not enthused about their chances here.