Last night, my brothers and I stayed up until 3:00 am watching the uber-important Hawaii v. USC game. My football jones is officially full-blown as the first taste of the college game last night has me on edge for more.

Sure, there weren't a whole bunch of games that were competitive...but there were a whole bunch of games- From IU's throngs of empty seats to Hawaii's coaches perpetually wearing leis on the sideline, we can now savor the trappings of the greatest sports season of all- that of college football.

And, of course, in a Purdue-centric world, I can't fully appreciate what's going on unless my Boilers are in the mix. At 3:30 tomorrow, on the worst network of all of the land, The Forces of Good will square off against the most over-hyped and over-publicized .550 team in the nation (over the past decade).

And away we go...

Tim Says:

Purdue has a history of playing poorly in South Bend and finding ways to lose. Will that happen here?

I'd give Purdue the edge in the trenches, but Notre Dame the edge in the skill positions. The QBs will be pretty evenly matched. I think there will be some mental mistakes on both sides, with more coming in the secondary for Purdue which could lead to some missed interceptions. The injuries at RB for Purdue will make it easier for Notre Dame to defend the offense. All in all though, it's the first game of the season and it's hard to predict what's really going to happen.

Primarily being that it's a road game, I think Notre Dame wins.

UND 30

Purdue 24

J says:

Notre Dame games have been stabbing my in the heart most of my adult life. The only benefit of the pain they have caused me is that, when Purdue does win, the victories are that much more exhilarating. A win this weekend would make me as elated about Purdue football as I have been in years... probably since the 2004 season. Even last year's win over OSU, while fun, would pale in comparison to winning up in South Bend.

We catch crap from Domers who claim we care about this game more than they do. Okay, fine. I've actually got no problem with that. We DO care about this game a lot, mainly because we hate UND -- and their stooge fans. As T-Mill said on our podcast, if Brian Kelly loses to Purdue in his first game -- at home -- the pitchforks will already be out, and that sounds delicious.

Okay, okay, but enough babble -- what do I think will happen? I think Purdue will make us proud, much as they did in last year's game and at lots of points throughout the season. However, I think Purdue will also continue to find the banana peel in South Bend and find a way to lose. I'm not saying Notre Dame is better -- I'm not sure they are. I think they have more high-star recruits, but I think Purdue is going to be a more cohesive team this year. And at the end of the season, I think the records will be close.

As I've said before, I've just seen this one too many times and the result is (almost) always the same. No matter how good a chance you think there is.... Purdue -- frustratingly -- finds a way to lose.

Notre Dame 31
Purdue 28

boilerdowd says:

After a month of drought and sizzling-hot temperatures, Purdue will head into South Bend to play in a game with temps in the upper 60s, possible rain and heavy wind.

The voice of the Irish (can't remember his name right now) had a conversation with the Knuckleheads over at GBI yesterday and mentioned his concern for the offense's rhythm and particularly, Christ, errrrr Crist's accuracy in his first game in Kelly's system.

God clearly favors the Catholics (yes, that was their nickname in the late 1800s) as he knows the heathens (that was never our nickname) from Purdue don't have the experience at RB that UND does...so he's going to make it difficult for Purdue's offense.

I hope you understand this-that's all in jest. My God loves Campbell's soup kid coaches as much as mustached coaches...and perfect QBs as much as those seeking a new start...and the weather is difficult and perfect for both sides.

That said, I just don't know if Purdue will win a second game in this decade in SB...that'd just be greedy to wish for such an occurrence. I do think we'll see some good things and enough that we'll be excited for the speed in the d-backfield, the skill in the wide receiving corps, the terrorizing nature of the front 7 and finally, the start of a comeback for Robert Marve's college career.

I've said it before, I'll say it again...I love being wrong- prove me wrong, gentlemen.

The offenses get cooking in this one in the second quarter as the scoreboard lights up.

Notre Dame 42

Purdue 36

To Your Call Once More We Rally;
Alma Mater Hear Our Praise.
Where The Wabash Spreads Its Valley;
Filled With Joy Our Voices Raise.
From The Skies In Swelling Echoes
Come The Cheers That Tell The Tale
Of Your Vict'ries And Your Heros,
Hail Purdue! We Sing All Hail!

Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
All Hail To Our Old Gold And Black!
Hail, Hail To Old Purdue!
Our Friendship May She Never Lack.
Ever Grateful, Ever True,
Thus We Raise Our Song Anew;
Of The Days We've Spent With You,
All Hail Our Own Purdue!