Indiana State at Purdue, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (BTN)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Purdue at 33 1/2.

Series record: Purdue 6-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

With six losses in their last eight season openers, slow starts have become the norm at Purdue. The Boilermakers have come through their first four games with just one win in the last seven seasons. And if they want to disprove prognosticators’ predictions that they finish in last place, they’ll have to maintain their perfect record against an in-state FCS opponent. The Sycamores, on the other hand, have won fewer games in three straight seasons since going 5-6 in 2021. A win at Purdue could change everything for the program.

KEY GAME

Indiana State QB Elijah Owens against Purdue’s secondary. Owens only appeared in four games last season, successfully saving his redshirt year while showing enough potential to become the expected starter this year. But the quarterback’s poor performance last season condemned Indiana State to a 1-10 record. And they’ll have to be better against a Purdue defense that boasts preseason All-American S Dillon Thieneman but lost 2023 Big Ten sacks champion Nic Scourton in the transfer portal.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Indiana State: DB Maddix Blackwell. What Thieneman does for Purdue, Blackwell does for the Sycamores. He’s coming off a season in which he led the Sycamores in tackles (107), fumble recoveries (three), interceptions (two) and forced fumbles (two). Now the preseason first-team all-conference player has a chance to prove himself against a Big Ten opponent.

Purdue: QB Hudson Card. While Thieneman is always worth watching, the Boilermakers need Card to improve. Last year, in his most extensive collegiate action, he completed just 58.9% of his throws with 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His completion percentage needs to be closer to 70% and he also needs to protect the ball better.

Facts & Figures

A Purdue win would mark Purdue’s seventh 7-0 series start against a team, six of them against Indiana schools. … Indiana State has been outscored 253-76 in West Lafayette’s first six games, including a 56-0 loss in 2022. … The Boilermakers led the Big Ten last season with 184.6 rushing yards in conference games. … Sycamores coach Curt Mallory has deep coaching roots in the state, his late father, Bill, still holding the title of winningest coach in Indiana Hoosiers history. … Thieneman broke Purdue’s freshman record with 74 solo tackles last year and became the Boilermakers’ fourth All-American in three seasons. … Indiana State is one of three Purdue opponents from the state this season. No. 7 Notre Dame visits Ross-Ade Stadium on Sept. 14, and the Boilermakers finish the regular season at rival Indiana.

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The Associated Press