Purdue Boilermakers offensive coordinator Josh Henson / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Purdue is 2-0 for the first time since 2021, but let’s be honest—the season really starts this week. The Boilermakers welcome USC to Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the first Big Ten game of the year. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
The Trojans haven’t just been winning, they’ve been torching defenses. Through two games, USC is averaging 66 points per outing, beating Missouri State 73-13 and Georgia Southern 59-20. Yes, the competition hasn’t exactly been elite, but hanging nearly 70 a game on anyone should make defenses nervous—and Purdue’s unit will need its best performance yet to have a shot.
On the other side, Ryan Browne is going to have to play the game of his life. Purdue will need consistency from the wide receiver corps and big plays when the opportunities present themselves. If the Boilers can’t find ways to trade punches offensively, it could get ugly quick.
The odds are stacked. USC enters as a 23.5-point favorite, and history leans their way too. The Trojans lead the all-time series 3-1, with Purdue’s lone win coming in the 1967 Rose Bowl, a 14-13 classic. Saturday marks the Trojans’ first trip to West Lafayette since 1976.
Still, Purdue isn’t completely out of cards to play. Travel has been a thorn in USC’s side. Last season, the Trojans went 0-3 in games that took them across multiple time zones, falling to Michigan, Minnesota, and Maryland. Add in the fact that Purdue offensive coordinator Josh Henson spent the past three years on Lincoln Riley’s staff at USC, and maybe—just maybe—the Boilers can lean on some insider knowledge to tilt things their way.
Whether that’s enough for the Purdue squad to pull off a monumental upset is the big question. What we do know is this: Ross-Ade will be rocking, USC is walking into a tough road environment, and Purdue has a chance to shock the college football world. If you can’t be in West Lafayette, grab a spot on the couch—because this one should be fun.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
