The Purdue Boilermakers are ready to turn the page after a difficult 2025 season when they open their 2026 campaign against Indiana State on Friday night.
The Boilermakers finished last season 2-10 and are looking for a fresh start under second-year head coach Barry Odom. Purdue also enters Friday’s matchup having gone 10 straight games without a victory, giving the season opener added importance.
Indiana State, meanwhile, is already 0-1 after falling to Southeast Missouri State in its season opener. The Sycamores now face their first road test of the season against an FBS opponent. Purdue leads the all-time series 7-0, with the Boilermakers winning the most recent meeting 49-0 in 2024.
How to Watch Indiana State at Purdue
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Live Stream: Fox One
The game will also feature Chris Vosters on play-by-play, with former NFL linebacker Ryan Kerrigan serving as the analyst.
Indiana State: Curt Mallory’s program is coming off its season-opening loss and will try to rebound against Purdue. The Sycamores have the difficult task of facing an FBS opponent on the road after opening the season 0-1.
Purdue: Barry Odom begins his second season as Purdue’s head coach after arriving from UNLV. The Boilermakers have undergone substantial roster changes during the offseason as Odom works to rebuild the program. Purdue will be looking to start the new era with a win at home.
College Football Conference Predictions
Athlon Sports predicts the finishing order for teams in the following conferences:
- ACC
- American
- Big 12
- Big Ten
- Conference USA
- MAC
- Mountain West
- Pac-12
- SEC
- Sun Belt
