Wake Forest at Purdue - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Purdue Boilermakers

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Saturday, September 12th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Ross-Ade Stadium - West Lafayette, IN

 
Demon Deacons (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jake Dickert (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (25 - 27 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.2 - 4.8 (#43)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 5) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
PUR 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Wake Forest -8  (SP+ WAKE -12)
Projected Score: WAKE: 30 - PUR: 22 (52)
WAKE Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
WAKE Travel: 468 miles
Boilermakers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Barry Odom (2 - 10)
Avg Score : 19 - 32 (21 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3 - 9 (#88)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 1)
 
Wake Forest's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Wake Forest vs Akron-23
Sat 9/12 Wake Forest at Purdue-8
Fri 9/18 Wake Forest vs Miami+14.5
Sat 9/26 Wake Forest at Louisville+7.5
Sat 10/3 Wake Forest vs Stanford-15
Sat 10/10 Wake Forest at NC State+3.5
Sat 10/17 Wake Forest at California-2
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Wake Forest vs Virginia+1
Sat 11/7 Wake Forest vs Merrimack-31
Sat 11/14 Wake Forest at SMU+9
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest at Georgia Tech+4
Sat 11/28 Wake Forest vs Duke-3

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Wake Forest's Schedule
Purdue's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Purdue vs Indiana State-20.5
Sat 9/12 Purdue vs Wake Forest+8
Sat 9/19 Purdue at UCLA+8.5
Sat 9/26 Purdue vs Notre Dame+27
Sat 10/3 Purdue at Illinois+18.5
Sat 10/10 Purdue vs Minnesota+7
Sat 10/17 Purdue vs Washington+22
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Purdue at Penn State+23
Sat 11/7 Purdue vs Maryland+2.5
Sat 11/14 Purdue at Iowa+22
Sat 11/21 Purdue vs Wisconsin+0.5
Sat 11/28 Purdue at Indiana+35.5

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Purdue's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WAKE#82 (.15)38% (112)28.140% (100)2.79 (101)15637% (115)2383.23 (113)#6 (.03)35% (8)22.137% (12)33% (7)3.24 (31)69.51.61.2
PUR#104 (.11)43% (60)18.843% (71)2.94 (67)12643% (53)2173.06 (120)#125 (.27)48% (131)31.849% (128)48% (128)4.03 (106)46.81.80.8
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
WAKE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
PUR0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WAKE Offense1328.124.838.4%3.231.6193941562384.550%49%40%37%16%.15
PUR Defense1231.83048.3%4.030.8 - - - - - 55%43%49%48%15%.27
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
WAKE Defense1322.127.435.1%3.241.2 - - - - - 47%51%37%33%18%.03
PUR Offense1218.820.942.8%3.061.819344126217447%52%43%43%16%.11

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Wake Forest1329:041940%55%7.469.51.61.27.42.3330.7
Purdue1228:0119.338%60%4.846.81.80.85.32027.5
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WAKE Offense1350% (61)40% (100)34.8156.24.523 (49).11 (67)2.79 (101)79% (21)9% (71)1.12 (11)
PUR Defense1255% (125)49% (128) - - - - .18 (113)3.25 (122)78% (113)10% (70)0.86 (18)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
WAKE Defense1347% (34)37% (12) - - - - -.02 (10)2.49 (9)64% (22)12% (11)0.88 (27)
PUR Offense1247% (96)43% (71)31.3126.4411 (78).15 (52)2.94 (67)56% (136)10% (91)1.04 (41)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WAKE Offense1349% (73)37% (115)17.831.2237.77.613.318 (106)11 (34).25 (69)1.7 (12)33% (93)28% (95).33 (60)6% (78)2.3 (8)
PUR Defense1243% (13)48% (128) - - - - - - 4 (123).4 (124)1.6 (102)28% (125)32% (96).26 (57)6% (75)1.9 (32)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
WAKE Defense1351% (102)33% (7) - - - - - - 4 (100).1 (12)1.5 (56)36% (10)25% (13).13 (13)6% (62)2 (60)
PUR Offense1252% (39)43% (53)19.833.7217.26.51115 (86)13 (132).14 (117)1.4 (118)32% (87)36% (19).36 (50)6% (72)1.9 (98)

Wake Forest's Power Ratings
Wake Forest's Power Rating: 9.41  #39
Wake Forest's Offense Rating: 12.65  #71
Wake Forest's Defense Rating: 8.24  #24
2026 Talent Rating: 896.00  #35
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #88
Wake Forest's 2026 Expected Record: 7.2 - 4.8
Wake Forest's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.7  #52
Wake Forest's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.6  #70
Wake Forest's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9  #34

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Wake Forest: 9.41   Purdue: -0.455

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Wake Forest: 5.7   Purdue: -6.1




Purdue's Power Ratings
Purdue's Power Rating: -0.455  #76
Purdue's Offense Rating: 14.17  #64
Purdue's Defense Rating: 18.98  #93
2026 Talent Rating: 794.00  #62
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #88
Purdue's 2026 Expected Record: 3.0 - 9.0
Purdue's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.1  #90
Purdue's Offense SP+ Rating: 21.9  #104
Purdue's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.9  #90

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9


Wake Forest Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.8
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 27.4

Wake Forest's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Wake Forest 30
Purdue 22

Projected Total Points: 52
Purdue Scoring
Offense: 18.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 20.9
Defense: 31.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 30

Purdue's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
200309/13Wake Forest10Purdue16
200209/21Purdue21Wake Forest24
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Purdue100 Overs
Wake Forest100 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 20 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams2 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#39) WAKE at (#76) PUR
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWAKEPUR
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #39 #76
SP+SP+ #52 #90
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #35 #62
Blue ChipsBC% #88 #88
Wake Forest Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Great, Dickert a home run hire & 1st year
(2/4) QB Lopez was G5 electric, but meh at NC in '25
(2/4) RB has pieces but rotation from 2 portals, depth
(2/4) WR 6 portals, 4 have good exp, should be solid
(2/4) OL is counting on G5 risers, but good exp & prod
(2/4) DL solid unit w exp, production & depth.
(2/4) LB another solid unit w exp, prod & depth
(2/4) CBs have significant ?, S real solid with depth
(2/4) Good staff, good looking Def. Can Lopez find it?
Wake Forest Injury Report
Purdue Notes
(2/26) WR Waseem/Owens good duo, best of 4 portals
(2/5) 2nd year staff w Odom. 10 straight losses in '25
(2/5) QB Brown isn't the answer, but best they've got
(2/5) RB has a good stable of 3 or 4 mostly portals.
(2/5) OL is a group of exp's portals w very low grades
(2/5) DL was awful LY, added 6 here, vital they improve
(2/5) LB w 3 portal adds but honestly don't see it
(2/5) DBs added 6, CBs could be good, S likely not
(2/5) If Odom can win with this he should be knighted
(2/5) Playing Wake & ND OOC is a terrible idea
Purdue Injury Report
Wake Forest on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffPUR Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #112 #131
ExplosiveExp #5 #48
PPAPPA #82 #125
PowerPwr #71 #93
SP+SP+ #70 #90
Pts POPPO #113 #106
HavocHav #70 #78
Wake Forest Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffPUR Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #100 #128
Run ExplRExp #11 #18
PPAExp #67 #113
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #101 #122
Stuff RateStuff #62 #78
TackleTak - NR
Wake Forest Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffPUR Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #115 #128
Pass ExplPExl #12 #102
PPAExp #69 #124
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #71 #70
DB HavocDB #78 #75
Purdue on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatPUR OffWAKE Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #60 #8
ExplosiveExp #73 #43
PPAPPA #104 #6
PowerPwr #64 #24
SP+SP+ #104 #34
Pts POPPO #120 #31
HavocHav #80 #21
Purdue Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
PUR OffWAKE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #71 #12
Run ExplRExp #41 #27
PPAExp #52 #10
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #67 #9
Stuff RateStuff #76 #4
TackleTak - NR
Purdue Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatPUR OffWAKE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #53 #7
Pass ExplPExl #118 #56
PPAExp #117 #12
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #91 #11
DB HavocDB #72 #62
Program Comparison
PUR 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average G5
'26 Profile: Remains Average G5

WAKE 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Ross-Ade Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
WAKE's OC Rob Ezell (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Giovanni Lopez17026165%17471056.7
Steele Pizzella010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Sawyer Seidl (Tr)188897134.841
Ty Clark III7532334.315
Giovanni Lopez8613331.517
KD Daniels (Tr)2812014.316
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Carlos Hernandez40611315.393
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)25604624.275
Drayden Dickmann (Tr)3732338.746
Ty Clark III17209112.362

View Wake Forest's Full Roster

WAKE's DC Scottie Hazelton (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Aiden Hall738023
Langston Hardy6515790
Frank Cusano452121
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Langston Hardy6515790
Gabe Kirschke379540
Dallas Afalava336481
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Brian Blades260005

PUR's OC Josh Henson (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ryan Browne19933859%21539106.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Travis Terrell Jr. (Tr)10260756.071
Fame Ijeboi (Tr)9744124.549
Antonio Harris6930524.441
Ryan Browne6620643.126
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Asaad Waseem (Tr)69726510.544
Bisi Owens (Tr)66696510.548
Xavier Townsend (Tr)18243013.544
Corey Smith14237116.960

View Purdue's Full Roster

PUR's DC Kevin Kane (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Charles Correa778342
Mister Clark (Tr)5770013
Hudauri Hines322008
Jaden Mangham (Tr)302102
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Charles Correa778342
Rodney Lora (Tr)214110
Hudson Miller (Tr)91100
Trey Smith121110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mister Clark (Tr)5770013
Hudauri Hines322008
Smiley Bradford305026