As Purdue and Notre Dame prepare to clash in their storied rivalry, the Fighting Irish come off a disappointing loss to Northern Illinois, which has put pressure on them to perform better. Notre Dame's quarterback, Riley Leonard, has struggled significantly, throwing no touchdowns and two interceptions, leading to a strategic pivot towards a stronger ground game spearheaded by Jeremiyah Love. Coach Marcus Freeman emphasized the need for his team to correct the issues exposed in their last game as they face a Purdue squad that has shown solid performance under first-year coach Ryan Walters. Purdue aims to capitalize on Notre Dame's vulnerabilities, having recently shut out Indiana State in their opener. The longstanding rivalry, which saw Notre Dame dominate in recent years, is heightened by the stakes for the Irish as they seek to maintain any hopes of a College Football Playoff berth. Both coaches, being young and ambitious, will look to make a statement in this pivotal matchup.