Looking at Notre Dame's schedule before the season began led many Irish fans to simply hope for a .500 season. With the likes of perennial powerhouses USC, Tennessee and Michigan entrenched every year, Irish faithful have become pessimistic in the team's search for important post season play. Add in the pressure of a new head coach, who despite numerous Super Bowl rings never coached a college game in his life, and an inconsistent starting quarterback, things in South Bend didn't look good.

How quickly things change. Charlie Wies has sparked the offense and the team to a 3-1 record including three impressive road victories over Pitt, Michigan and a Tyrone Willingham led Washington Huskies. As impressive as that is, Wies has his hands full on the road this weekend against traveling into West Lafayette to face No. 22 Purdue Boilermakers.  

The Boilermakers are coming off a heartbreaking double-overtime defeat at Minnesota 42-35, their first loss of the year. Having lost Irish killer Kyle Orton to the NFL ranks, the Boilermakers are led by junior quarterback Brandon Kirsch and the twin back field of senior Jerod Void (234 yards 5 TD's) and freshman Kory Sheets (10 carries 101 yards 1 TD vs. Minnesota).

The Irish are coming off a strong defensive game on the ground holding Washington running backs to just 41 yards on 22 carries. However, in general the defense has struggled giving up 399 yards of total offense on the year and have given up 4 touchdowns on the ground. This is a difficult match up as the tandem of Void and Sheets have punched the ball in 8 times already this season.

Look for the Irish to continue to dominate in the air led by the combination of junior QB Brady Quinn (1181 yds/ 10 TD's/ 61.7%) and freshman Jeff Samardzija who have connected for 6 TD catches. The air attack should open the ground game for Darius Walker who has not disappointed in his sophomore season having racked up 448 yards and 2 TD's against a Boilermaker defense which allowed 301 yards and 2 TD's against Minnesota last week. 

Key Match-Up

Purdue's Defensive Line vs. Notre Dame Offensive Line

If Notre Dame's Offensive Line, led by C John Sullivan and T Ryan Harris, can create enough time for Quinn to find receivers and stretch the field, Notre Dame should have no problem moving the ball and putting up points against the Boilermaker defense.

Key Player

Dorien Bryant  So. WR/KR Purdue

The team's number one receiver is also a do-it-all type player that returns punts and kicks and is a threat every time he touches the ball. A score on special teams will probably be the difference in this shootout. 

Quotable

"He said 'What are we going to do?' I said 'We have no choice. We're throwing it to the right'" - Charlie Wies on explaining QB Brady Quinn's reaction to the team's first play call. With the team pinned at their own one yard line, Wies called a "pass right" play in honor of Notre Dame fan Montana Mazurkiewicz whom Wies visited in the hospital earlier in the week, granting the 10-year-old's dying wish.

Prediction

Notre Dame 38

Purdue 31