GoldandBlack.com Predictions: Purdue at Oregon State

Coming off the worst loss in program history, Purdue looks to steady itself in the Pacific Northwest, traveling to Oregon State to conclude non-conference play.

Our GoldandBlack.com staff predictions …

MIKE CARMIN, CONTRIBUTOR

Overall Thought: Early test to see what the Boilermakers are made of facing a team in their weight class. Granted, the long-distance travel and other factors create more obstacles for Purdue, which must embrace the challenge and respond after last week’s demolition at the hands of Notre Dame. The Boilermakers need to emulate the Irish in their approach and focus this week and deliver a bounce-back performance.

*The* Key To The Game: Will Purdue bring its physicality and discipline on the 4 ½ hour plane ride?

Your Pick To Click (offense): Gus Hartwig and the offensive line. ND manhandled the Boilermakers, and this becomes a pride game for the group upfront. Establishing the run is one way to release the frustrations from last week.

Your Pick To Click (defense): Dillon Thieneman. He knows he didn’t play well against the Irish and will make amends for his performance. Look for a big game from the sophomore.

Spiciest Take: Purdue-Oregon State will draw bigger ratings than LIV Golf on The CW.

Predicted Score: Purdue 26, Oregon State 22 

TOM DIENHART, GOLDANDBLACK.COM

Overall Thought: It’s only mid-September, and Purdue already finds itself at a crossroads. Really. Possibilities abound with a win. A loss? It could send the season careening before we rake a leaf.

*The* Key To The Game: Start fast. This team needs confidence coming off a demoralizing 66-7 loss. A fast start would be a nice boost to what could be a fragile psyche. 

Your Pick To Click (offense): WR Jahmal Edrine. The Beavers have played a lot of soft coverage. Edrine will make them pay with a 10-catch day.

Your Pick To Click (defense): S Dillon Thieneman. No sugarcoating it: No. 31 looked bad last week. He knows it. And Thieneman will make amends this week with a big game.

Spiciest Take: Yes, it’s only the third game of the season, but this is a must-win game.

Predicted Score: Purdue 31, Oregon State 30. The Boilermaker offense comes to life, scoring a late TD to steal a win. Take a bow, Hudson Card.

ALAN KARPICK, GOLDANDBLACK.COM

Overall Thought: It’s showtime for Purdue. 

*The* Key To The Game: Purdue’s mental frame. Will it be fight or flight for the Boilermakers? One has to expect a hostile crowd in Corvallis, and it will be a big test for the visitors to see if they are up to the task.

Your Pick To Click (offense): Hudson Card. It has to be doesn’t it? Purdue needs to re-establish its offensive mojo and Card’s accuracy and decision making are key. 

Your Pick To Click (defense): Dillon Thieneman. After a very subpar performance by Purdue’s most highly decorated defender, look for a big bounce back in Oregon.

Spiciest take: Purdue will compete hard in this one and have every chance to win it in the midnight hour (ET).

Predicted Score: Oregon State 24, Purdue 21

JORDAN JONES, CONTRIBUTOR

Overall Thought: What is Purdue’s reality? Is it closer to the team that dominated an outmatched opponent, or is it closer to the team that was embarrassed by Notre Dame? We’ll find out in this one. If Purdue hopes to make 2024 better than 2023, it likely needs to fly home from Corvallis victorious.

*The* Key To The Game: If Purdue can’t hold its own in the trenches, it’s not shown the game-changing ability at the skill positions to overcome it.

Your Pick To Click (offense): Max Klare. So far, he looks like Purdue’s most dynamic target in the passing game. Purdue is unlikely to ground and pound its way to wins, and Klare will present a tough cover for the Beavers.

Your Pick To Click (defense): Jeffrey M’ba. He looks improved as he continues to settle into his football career. Purdue will need he and the defensive line to disrupt Oregon State’s run-heavy attack.

Spiciest Take: Twitter melts down around 8:15 p.m. on Saturday as fans struggle to find out how to tune into The CW.

Predicted Score: Purdue 28, Oregon State 27

BRIAN NEUBERT, SASQUATCH ANTAGONIST

Overall Thought: You’ll never see a non-conference trip west like this ever again. Good riddance.

*The* Key To The Game: Anger. Purdue just got historically whooped by Notre Dame; Oregon State got clowned by Oregon. Who gives more of a dam, err, damn?

Your Pick To Click (offense): Max Klare is the real deal, Purdue’s best receiver and big-play threat.

Your Pick To Click (defense): Kydran Jenkins. But Purdue has to keep these games played between the tackles, though.

Spiciest Take: Thanks to the demolition of the Pac-12, I’ve discovered this useless stew of free filler channels deep in the bowels of my televisions. This game is on one of those channels, nestled between “Mama’s Family” re-runs and a slew of channels that play music that exhibit very few characteristics of “music.”

Predicted Score: Purdue 27, Oregon State 24

CHAT GTP, STAFF AI BOT

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