Autzen Zoo
Fansided

Oregon football vs. Purdue Boilermakers: Summer opponent preview, prediction 

As the Oregon Ducks get set for 2024, Dan Lanning's team will get the distinct pleasure of heading on over to West Lafayette, Indiana to meet up with the Purdue Boilermakers.

By Ethan Lee

Purdue Boilermakers place kicker Ben Freehill (39) attempts a field goal Wednesday, July 31, 2024, during Purdue football practice at Bimel Outdoor Practice Complex in West Lafayette, Ind.
Purdue Boilermakers place kicker Ben Freehill (39) attempts a field goal Wednesday, July 31, 2024, during Purdue football practice at Bimel Outdoor Practice Complex in West Lafayette, Ind. / Alex Martin/Journal and Courier / USA TODAY NETWORK
facebooktwitterreddit

The Oregon Ducks are heading into their first season in the Big Ten and they’re going to take a trip all the way over to West Lafayette, Indiana to meet up with the Purdue Boilermakers on Friday, October 18, 2024. 

Purdue is used to being a bit of a trap game for foes and that could certainly be the case for Dan Lanning and the Oregon Ducks given that this game is happening less than a week after the Ducks host the Ohio State Buckeyes in Autzen Stadium. 

Oh, and it’s placed ahead of Oregon’s trip to face the Michigan Wolverines. This could be a bit of a problem. At least, you know, in theory. 

Historical Context

The Ducks and Boilermakers have only met three times throughout their history. So, this series has been pretty brief. That said, looking back at the meetings, things have probably been a lot closer than any Oregon football fan has ever wanted:

  1. 1979: Purdue 13, Oregon 7
  2. 2008: Oregon 32, Purdue 26 (OT) 
  3. 2009: Oregon 38, Purdue 36 

This 2024 matchup between the Oregon Ducks and the Purdue Boilermakers is a bit of a renewal of a series that has been dormant for a little bit. 

Current Program Trajectories

Going into the 2024 Oregon football season, Dan Lanning is bringing a team that boasts a ton of talent to the Big Ten. Lanning and the Ducks are aiming to make an impact in the Big Ten and they’ve got really high expectations, especially when considering that they’ve won 22 games in the past two seasons. Oregon has a lot to prove and they’ve got the sort of talent that can accomplish big things this season.

Purdue, on the other hand, is entering its second season under the guidance of head coach Ryan Walters. The Boilermakers are in a rebuild and they had a rough 2023 season as they went 4-8. They run the Air Raid, which can always be a little tricky for opposing teams to defend once the system is up and running fully.

Oregon vs. Purdue 2024 summer preview, prediction

There are elements of this game that could certainly result in a trap game. This contest comes six days after the massive matchup with the Ohio State Buckeyes and Purdue is used to being a bit of an underdog spoiler (shoutout to the 49-20 dismantling of the Ohio State Buckeyes back in 2018).

Theoretically speaking, this is a game that Oregon should be able to win with ease. There’s a gulf of talent difference between the two teams and Oregon has thrived under Lanning’s leadership. 

Score prediction: Oregon 48, Purdue 24

All of that said, I’m not expecting any sort of hangover after the Ohio State game. I suspect we’ll see Oregon take care of business on the road before getting the chance to take on Michigan.

Home/Oregon Ducks Football