First Look: Northwestern

Here’s an early look at Purdue’s penultimate opponent of the 2023 season, the Northwestern Wildcats.

Date/Time: Saturday, November 18, Noon E.T./11 a.m. local time

Location: Ryan Field

Surface: Natural Grass

Capacity: 47,130 (tickets)

2023 schedules/records: Purdue 3-7 (2-5 Big Ten), Northwestern 5-5 (3-4 Big Ten)

Series notes: Saturday’s noon kickoff will mark the 88th meeting between Purdue and Northwestern, as the Boilermakers will hope to extend their 53-33-1 advantage. Historically, the ride up I-65 hasn’t bothered Purdue, who holds a 30-19-1 lead in games played in Evanston. Purdue enters on a two-game winning streak against the Wildcats, as Purdue won inside Wrigley Field in 2021 before taking down Northwestern on a frigid Senior Day last November in West Lafayette. A new twist this year? Pat Fitzgerald won’t be coaching the Wildcats after his firing over the summer due to hazing inside the Northwestern program. Instead, interim head coach David Braun will lead Northwestern against first-year Purdue coach Ryan Walters.

TV: BTN

Early line: Purdue -1, O/U 51.5

STORYLINES TO WATCH

Momentum?

After their 41-13 loss in Ann Arbor, things looked bleak for the Boilermakers. It marked the fourth-straight game with 14 or fewer points for Purdue, and hopes for a winning record were officially dashed. Purdue bounced back, and then some, by putting 49 points on the board in a win over Minnesota. The offense churned out over 600 total yards and found the end zone seven times, while the defense forced several field goals to limit the Gophers to three points on multiple occasions.

Can the rejuvenated Boilermakers continue their momentum as they hit the road? That’s the question for Purdue, who hopes to finish the season strong against Northwestern and Indiana.

Improbable bowl trip?

Following seasons of 3-9 in 2021 and 1-11 in 2022, expectations for Northwestern in 2023 were understandably low. Once Pat Fitzgerald was fired, many expected this season to go by the wayside. The season-opening debacle at Rutgers likely caused many to move the Wildcats off their radar. Instead, Braun rallied his troops, and now, Northwestern needs just one more win to secure a bowl trip. The challenges that await the next Northwestern coach are aplenty, but it has to feel good for the ‘Cats to put together a season that few saw coming.

Honors incoming…

As the season winds down, it’s time to start looking at potential all-conference teams where Purdue will be represented. Outside linebackers Nic Scourton and Kydran Jenkins are numbers one and two in the Big Ten in sacks, while true freshman Dillon Thieneman looks like someone who will spend years on all-Big Ten teams. Could anyone else play their way into all-league honors?

Pro Football Focus on Northwestern

• Though quarterback play has been up and down for the ‘Cats, they do have a strong wide receiver duo in Cam Johnson and Bryce Kirtz
• Very little rotation on the offensive line, but the grades are middling in both pass protection and run blocking
• Veteran corner Rod Heard II remains a strong cover man on the outside
• Not a great Northwestern pass rush with just 18 sacks in ten games

Ryan Walters on Northwestern

At Monday’s press conference, the first-year Purdue coach gave a lot of credit to interim coach David Braun and to the Wildcats team. “They have rallied around him. Coach (Pat) Fitz (Fitzgerald) was one of the most respected guys in coaching and the team has much to prove. That will make it a big challenge for us.”

MINNESOTA COVERAGE: MORE: Ten observations: Purdue-Minnesota | Points After: Analysis from Purdue’s rout of Minnesota | Three and Out: Purdue’s win over Minnesota | Photo gallery: Purdue-Minnesota | Grading the Boilermakers: Purdue-Minnesota | Data Driven