Oregon Ducks, Purdue Boilermakers Prediction: Big Favorites, Upset Alert?

Prediction and preview as the Oregon Ducks travel to West Lafayette, Indiana, to take on the Purdue Boilermakers Friday night. Will it be smooth sailing for the Ducks to improve their record to 7-0 over a struggling Purdue team? Chance for an upset?

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws out a pass during warmups as the No. 3 Oregon Ducks host the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The No. 2 Oregon Ducks will be on the road against the Purdue Boilermakers on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. PST on FOX.

It has been a tale of two different seasons for these teams.

Oregon is off to a 6-0 start, fresh off the biggest home win in program history over the Ohio State Buckeyes, and is ranked No. 2 in the country. 

On the other hand, Purdue is 1-5 and still seeking their first win in Big Ten play. They have lost five straight games after their Week 1 win over Indiana State.

Oregon vs. Purdue Odds

The Oregon Ducks are huge road favorites over the Purdue Boilermakers. The Ducks are 29-point favorites. and the over-under is set at 60 points.

The Ducks are no strangers to being big favorites this season. Coming into the season with 3rd best odds to win the national championship at +700, the Vegas bookmakers have looked at Oregon favorably.

Since their opening two games against the Idaho Vandals and Boise State Broncos, Oregon has been very impressive. The Ducks blew out Oregon State, UCLA, and Michigan State.  In their 32-31 win over Ohio State, the Ducks were slight underdogs for the first time all year but pulled off the upset at Autzen Stadium.

Purdue has been an underdog in every game this season outside of their opening game against Indiana State. They covered as an underdog for the first time in their last game at Illinois.

Oregon vs. Purdue Preview

Sept 12, 2009; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (8) scores a touchdown in the 3rd quarter of the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Autzen Stadium. Oregon won the game 38-36. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-Imagn Images / Steve Dykes-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Ducks a 95 percent chance to win against Purdue.

This is about the number to be expected, considering how vast the difference is between these two teams. What gives Oregon such a big edge in the FPI’s eyes?

Oregon has the better talent across the board and have proven they are one of the best teams in college football. Purdue is 1-5 and trying to find an identity. 

The small glimmer of hope for Purdue is, since they parted ways with their offensive coordinator and started quarterback Ryan Browne, they have looked like a different team. They showed drastic improvement in their last game, losing in overtime 50-49 to Illinois.

Oregon and Purdue have played three times before, with Oregon winning the most recent matchup in 2009. Oregon leads the series 2-1.

Oregon vs. Purdue Prediction

It is hard to see a path for the Boilermakers to win outright, but the limited film on their new-look offense can cause the Ducks some trouble. The short week and road trip off a massive win may throw another wrench in for the Ducks, but they should still be able to win this game comfortably.

Oregon wins this one fairly easily, but Purdue will put together some drives and make the Ducks turn it up a notch. Oregon improves to 7-0 but Purdue covers.

Oregon 45, Purdue 23

MORE: Oregon Ducks 'Great Chance' To Land 5-Star Recruit Jahkeem Stewart Over LSU, USC, Ohio State?

MORE: Oregon Ducks vs. Purdue Injury Update: Jordan Burch, Matthew Bedford, Gary Bryant Jr.

MORE: Oregon Ducks' Dan Lanning: Internal Discipline For Traeshon Holden's Ejection?

MORE: Purdue Boilermakers Reveal Starting Quarterback vs. Oregon Ducks

MORE: Oregon Ducks' Emotional Video of Nike Founder Phil Knight After Ohio State Win

MORE: Kirk Herbstreit Ranks Oregon Ducks Coach Dan Lanning After Beating Ohio State

MORE: Oregon Ducks Recruiting Chance To Flip Five-Star Kansas State Commit Linkon Cure?