Minnesota at Purdue - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Minnesota Golden Gophers at Purdue Boilermakers

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Saturday, October 10th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Ross-Ade Stadium - West Lafayette, IN  (Big Ten)

 
Golden Gophers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach P. J. Fleck (66 - 44)
Avg Score : 23 - 23 (8 - 38 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.2 - 5.8 (#62)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
PUR is playing their 6th straight game
MINN is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Minnesota -7  (SP+ MINN -7.5)

Projected Score: MINN: 28 - PUR: 21 (48)
MINN Win prob: 70% | Cover: 49%
MINN Travel: 448 miles, 1 hrs behind
Boilermakers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Barry Odom (2 - 10)
Avg Score : 19 - 32 (21 - 30 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3 - 9 (#98)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 1)
 
Minnesota's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Minnesota vs Eastern Illinois-30
Sat 9/12Minnesota vs Mississippi State-4.5
Sat 9/19Minnesota vs Akron-22
Sat 9/26Minnesota at Washington+17.5
Sat 10/3Minnesota vs Michigan+10.5
Sat 10/10Minnesota at Purdue-7
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Minnesota vs Iowa+8
Sat 10/31Minnesota at Indiana+26
Sat 11/7Minnesota vs UCLA-5.5
Sat 11/14Minnesota at Penn State+13.5
Sat 11/21Minnesota vs Northwestern-5.5
Sat 11/28Minnesota at Wisconsin-4

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Minnesota's Schedule
Purdue's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Purdue vs Indiana State-20.5
Sat 9/12Purdue vs Wake Forest+8
Sat 9/19Purdue at UCLA+8.5
Sat 9/26Purdue vs Notre Dame+27
Sat 10/3Purdue at Illinois+18.5
Sat 10/10Purdue vs Minnesota+7
Sat 10/17Purdue vs Washington+22
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Purdue at Penn State+23
Sat 11/7Purdue vs Maryland+2.5
Sat 11/14Purdue at Iowa+22
Sat 11/21Purdue vs Wisconsin+0.5
Sat 11/28Purdue 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
MINN#94 (.13)40% (101)2339% (110)2.62 (123)10341% (77)1903.79 (60)#97 (.2)45% (113)22.943% (82)47% (124)3.84 (84)310.71.2
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
MINN0%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
MINN Offense13238.339.9%3.790.7172931031903.641%57%39%41%16%.13
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
MINN Defense1322.93845.2%3.841.2 - - - - - 46%53%43%47%18%.2
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
Minnesota1329:2317.140%43%3.8310.71.27.13230.7
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
MINN Offense1341% (126)39% (110)28.8103.53.615 (88).02 (116)2.62 (123)73% (61)9% (44)0.89 (105)
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
MINN Defense1346% (19)43% (82) - - - - .14 (92)2.86 (63)73% (80)13% (6)0.98 (83)
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
MINN Offense1357% (11)41% (77)19.330.7189.96.29.819 (61)7 (34).22 (82)1.4 (121)33% (96)28% (94).2 (111)7% (114)1.8 (126)
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
MINN Defense1353% (119)47% (124) - - - - - - 9 (38).25 (73)1.5 (35)30% (102)36% (129).42 (122)5% (122)2 (54)
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)

Minnesota's Power Ratings
Minnesota's Power Rating: 11.29  #32
Minnesota's Offense Rating: 17.09  #37
Minnesota's Defense Rating: 10.80  #34
2026 Talent Rating: 1048.00  #9
Blue Chip Ratio: 12%  #34
Minnesota's 2026 Expected Record: 6.2 - 5.8
Minnesota's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.5  #70
Minnesota's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.8  #94
Minnesota's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.8  #33

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Minnesota: 11.29   Purdue: -0.455

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Minnesota: 1.5   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  #92
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: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Minnesota Scoring
Offense: 23 PPG
Offense on Road: 8.3
Defense: 22.9 PPG
Defense on Road: 38

Minnesota'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
Minnesota 28
Purdue 21


Projected Total Points: 48
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
202510/11Minnesota27Purdue20Minnesota -7.5Purdue49.5Under
202311/11Purdue49Minnesota30Minnesota -1.5Purdue48.5Over
202210/01Minnesota10Purdue20Minnesota -9.0Purdue53.0Under
202110/02Purdue13Minnesota20Purdue -2Minnesota46.0Under
202011/20Minnesota34Purdue31Purdue -2.5Minnesota60.5Over
201909/28Purdue31Minnesota38Purdue -2Minnesota57.0Over
201811/10Minnesota41Purdue10Purdue -10.5Minnesota58.0Under
201710/07Purdue31Minnesota17Purdue -3.5Purdue45.5Over
201611/05Minnesota44Purdue31Minnesota -16.5Purdue54.0Over
201510/10Purdue13Minnesota41Minnesota -2.5Minnesota47.5Over
201410/18Minnesota39Purdue38Minnesota -14.5Purdue0
201210/27Minnesota44Purdue28
201110/08Purdue45Minnesota17
201010/16Purdue28Minnesota17
200910/10Minnesota35Purdue20
200810/25Purdue6Minnesota17
200709/22Minnesota31Purdue45
200609/23Purdue27Minnesota21
200509/24Minnesota42Purdue35
200209/28Purdue28Minnesota15
200109/29Minnesota28Purdue35
200009/22Purdue38Minnesota24
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Purdue1066 Overs
Minnesota1254 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams15 - 74 - 71 - 63 - 1
Road Teams7 - 157 - 41 - 36 - 1

(#32) MINN at (#76) PUR
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatMINNPUR
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #32 #76
SP+SP+ #70 #90
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #9 #62
Blue ChipsBC% #34 #88
Minnesota Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Fleck good but stalling? DC Collins shaky
(2/4) QB Lindsey has been good not great. Some depth
(2/4) RB Taylor back, hopefully healthy. Good depth
(2/4) WR 3 portals needed, decent unit, needs #1
(2/4) OL big issue LY, 3 return. Vital this unit improves
(2/4) DT light on exp but lots of options. DE Smith great
(2/4) LB should be good w 2 big portal adds. Depth
(2/4) DBs hit by Perich loss, one good CB & S. Unclear
(2/4) LY Def collapsed & Off was awful. Big year coming
Minnesota 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
Minnesota on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffPUR Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #101 #131
ExplosiveExp #99 #48
PPAPPA #94 #125
PowerPwr #37 #92
SP+SP+ #94 #90
Pts POPPO #60 #106
HavocHav #74 #78
Minnesota Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffPUR Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #110 #128
Run ExplRExp #105 #18
PPAExp #116 #113
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #123 #122
Stuff RateStuff #94 #78
TackleTak - NR
Minnesota Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 41%
CategoryCat
MINN OffPUR Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #77 #128
Pass ExplPExl #121 #102
PPAExp #82 #124
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #70
DB HavocDB #114 #75
Purdue on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatPUR OffMINN Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #60 #113
ExplosiveExp #73 #74
PPAPPA #104 #97
PowerPwr #64 #34
SP+SP+ #104 #33
Pts POPPO #120 #84
HavocHav #80 #29
Purdue Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
PUR OffMINN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #71 #82
Run ExplRExp #41 #83
PPAExp #52 #92
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #67 #63
Stuff RateStuff #76 #55
TackleTak - NR
Purdue Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatPUR OffMINN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #53 #124
Pass ExplPExl #118 #35
PPAExp #117 #73
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #91 #6
DB HavocDB #72 #122
Program Comparison
PUR 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average G5
'26 Profile: Remains Average G5

MINN 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Down to Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Ross-Ade Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Minnesota beat Purdue last year (27-20)
Purdue beat Minnesota in 2023 (49-30)

  
MINN's OC Greg Harbaugh Jr. (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drake Lindsey24638963%23821866.1
Michael Merdinger (Tr)214151%350108.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Darius Taylor14367044.771
TJ Thomas Jr. (Tr)9138464.244
Grant Washington2113206.316
Zion Steptoe (Tr)76509.332
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javon Tracy37454612.345
Jalen Smith28419415.078
Noah Jennings (Tr)23323014.036
Zion Steptoe (Tr)21272013.042

View Minnesota's Full Roster

MINN's DC Danny Collins (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Maverick Baranowski1029331
Andrew Marshall (Tr)614130
Kerry Brown564003
John Nestor506006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anthony Smith38181373
Karter Menz329742
T.J. Bush3911541
Jaxon Howard296410
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
John Nestor506006
Kerry Brown564003
Anthony Smith38181373

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