USC and Purdue kick off their inaugural Big Ten conference seasons Saturday afternoon as the undefeated Trojans seek to maintain their explosive offensive production following dominant wins over Missouri State and Georgia Southern. The Boilermakers have also started 2-0 under first-year coach Barry Odom, but face their most formidable test yet.
This comprehensive USC-Purdue preview delivers current PFSN team and player grades, expert analysis, and pre-game predictions for Saturday’s 3:30 PM ET kickoff at Ross-Ade Stadium on CBS.
USC vs. Purdue Details
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
- Game time: 3:30 PM ET
- Location: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN
- Predicted Weather at Kick: 85 degrees, cloudy, 6 mph winds
- How To Watch: CBS
USC vs. Purdue Head-to-Head Record
USC dominates the limited history between these programs, holding a 3-1 advantage across their four all-time meetings dating back to their memorable inaugural clash.
The Boilermakers earned their only victory in spectacular fashion during the 1967 Rose Bowl, stunning the Trojans 14-13 in what remains Purdue’s lone Rose Bowl triumph and arguably the most significant win in program history.
The series went dormant for decades after that Rose Bowl upset, with their most recent encounter occurring in 1988 when USC claimed a 27-17 victory in the Pigskin Classic at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
USC vs. Purdue Grades
PFSN College OFFi
- USC (85.56, B)
- Purdue (78.95, C+)
PFSN College DEFi
- USC (79.88, C+)
- Purdue (76.33, C)
PFSN College OLi
- USC (74.05, C)
- Purdue (62.84, D-)
PFSN College QBi
- Jayden Maiava, USC (72.9, C-)
- Ryan Browne, Purdue (76.2, C)
PFSN College RBi
- Waymond Jordan, USC (81.65, B-)
- Devin Mockobee, Purdue (79.25, C+)
PFSN College WRi
- Makai Lemon, USC (86.52, B)
- Purdue (N/A)
PFSN College TEi
- Walker Lyons, USC (74.56, C)
- George Burhenn, Purdue (73.84, C)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Anthony Lucas, USC (76.76, C)
- CJ Nunnally IV, Purdue (74.76, C)
PFSN College DTi
- Jidi Abasiri, USC (76.68, C)
- TJ Lindsey, Purdue (74.66, C)
PFSN College LBi
- Eric Gentry, USC (80.2, B-)
- Charles Correa, Purdue (76.16, C)
PFSN College CBi
- Chasen Johnson, USC (75.05, C)
- Ryan Turner, Purdue (77.44, C+)
PFSN College SAFi
- Bishop Fitzgerald, USC (76.89, C)
- Tahj Ra-El, Purdue (82.53, B-)
USC vs. Purdue Prediction
USC heads to West Lafayette having steamrolled its first two opponents of the season to meet a Purdue side that also boasts an unbeaten record.
Something will have to give Saturday for these two teams, with USC favored by 21 points to defeat the Boilermakers.
Lincoln Riley’s side has superior talent and has exploded out of the blocks. The offense ranks No. 1 nationally, averaging 676 yards per game and 11.3 yards per play. Jayden Maiava has completed 73.8% of his passes for 707 yards and six touchdowns while avoiding turnovers and sacks entirely.
The offense benefits from two standout playmakers: wide receiver Makai Lemon earned the fifth-highest PFSN College WRi grade in Week 2 (86.52, B), while Waymond Jordan ranked 11th with an 81.65 (B-) PFSN College RBi grade.
Eric Gentry continues to lead a defense that has amassed nine sacks in two games (fifth in the FBS) and faces one of the weakest offensive lines in Week 3.
Purdue’s offensive line ranked 129th nationally last week with a 62.84 (D-) PFSN OLi grade. The Boilermakers have been fortunate, allowing just one sack despite 18 pressures against Ball State and Southern Illinois, but the competition level is about to increase significantly.
Devin Mockobee has been the offensive star, rushing for 126 yards and two scores in Week 2 despite the Boilermakers’ struggling offensive line. Ahmad Branch also showed explosive ability in Week 1, recording 132 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Purdue has scored 30-plus points in each of its first two games of the 2025 season, but USC should prove too much for the Boilermakers to handle. The Trojans have overwhelming offensive firepower that Barry Odom’s side cannot match and should continue their high-scoring ways against Big Ten opposition.
Prediction: USC 45, Purdue 16
