Cavalier Corner Digital

Irish aerial attack, and he has already demonstrated his athleticism with a touchdown catch in each of the first two contests. Against Michigan, Notre Dame threw mostly intermediate attempts, but it is likely that the Irish take more downfield chances against a less talented Boilermakers squad. Advantage: Notre Dame Special Teams Notre Dame's field goal kicking has been a storyline to watch from the beginning of fall camp, with both junior Kyle Brindza and fifth-year senior Nick Tausch receiving opportunities in the first two games. In the hostile environment at Michigan Stadium last week, Kelly called upon Brindza for all three opportunities and he converted each of them. Two of the makes came from 40 and 44 yards out. The Boilermakers returned most of their stellar contributors from last year's special teams. Senior punter Cody Webster, who averaged 49.9 yards on his first nine punts this year, has a strong leg and is one of the elite punters in the NCAA. Hunt is a skilled kick returner and has already scored once in that capacity this season — going 90 yards against Indiana State after taking a handoff from a teammate on a trick play — after reaching the end zone last season on a 100-yard return versus Ohio State. Junior Raheem Mostert, who led the nation with a 33.5yard average as a rookie in 2011, is just as dangerous. Advantage: Even Senior cornerback Ricardo Allen made seven tackles in the Boilermakers' first two contests this season and picked off a pass that clinched the win over Indiana State. photo courtesy purdue media relations 2011 at Purdue when he completed 24 of 40 passes for 254 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. A year ago, he relieved Everett Golson in the fourth quarter and marched the offense down the field for a game-winning field goal. Notre Dame tight ends have tortured Purdue defenses in recent years, from Indiana native Tyler Eifert's 98 yards a year ago and touchdown in 2011 to Kyle Rudolph's game-winning catch with 25 seconds left to stun the Boilermakers in 2009. This year, junior tight end Troy Niklas is the big target in the middle of the Coaching Purdue pried Darrell Hazell away from Kent State last offseason after the 49-year-old developed into one of the rising stars in the coaching profession. After disappointing performances against Cincinnati (a 42-7 loss) and Indiana State (a 20-14 win), Hazell faces one of the country's top coaches in Kelly. Irish defensive coordinator Bob Diaco's units have allowed 12, 10 and 17 (seven of which stemmed from a Notre Dame turnover) points, respectively, against the Boilermakers during his time at Notre Dame. This week, after allowing 41 points at Michigan, the Irish defense will face an offense that returned just five starters from 2012. Advantage: Notre Dame ✦ Page 4 Intangibles Despite Notre Dame's frequent struggles at Ross-Ade Stadium (the Boilermakers won four of six matchups at home from 1997-2007 and the Irish escaped in 2009 with a last-second victory), Purdue is no match for Notre Dame. With the Boilermakers having already suffered a 35-point loss to Cincinnati this season under Hazell, they will likely struggle against an Irish team that has played well on the road. Advantage: Notre Dame Predictions Tom Loy: Notre Dame 34, Purdue 6 Purdue is going to have its hands full with the Notre Dame offense. Quarterback Tommy Rees looks confident and poised, and if the running game is clicking, led by the play of George Atkinson III and Amir Carlisle, then the Irish should have a field day on offense against a porous Boilermakers defense. This game could have a similar feel to Notre Dame's defeat of Temple, with several more points scored. Dan Murphy: Notre Dame 31, Purdue 7 The Boilermakers haven't shown the offensive ability to run up a lot of points or sustain long drives. That will cause trouble for their defense. Notre Dame's offensive line will be able to grind away at the Purdue front seven all night. That mentality will keep the score relatively close until late in the game — another trademark never-in-doubt victory, but never-out-of-hand victory for Brian Kelly's team. Andrew Owens: Notre Dame 37, Purdue 7 The Irish often encounter difficulties in Ross-Ade Stadium, but this one will be a laugher. The Darrell Hazell era began in embarrassing fashion in a 42-7 loss to Cincinnati, and it's a sign of what should be a miserable season in West Lafayette. Notre Dame running backs should have a field day against a less than stout Purdue rush defense, and the Irish defenders will have no problem stifling the pass-happy Boilermakers. Lou Somogyi: Notre Dame 30, Purdue 13 Ross-Ade Stadium traditionally has been a snake pit for even the best of Notre Dame teams, although 2011 was an exception (a 38-10 Notre Dame win). Seldom has Purdue had poor back-to-back contests at home against the Irish. Expect this one to be tight in the first half, maybe even through three quarters, before the Irish depth takes hold and begins to impose its will.

• Cover