WEST LAFAYETTE — Will Purdue football's series with Notre Dame continue as scheduled, or is this historic rivalry about to take another break?
An episode of the Irish Illustrated Insider podcast last week delved into the program's future schedules. One of the panelists, USA TODAY college sports insider John Brice, and host Pete Sampson said they believed Notre Dame was trying to add a new Big Ten team to its 2027 schedule. Their speculation turned to a possible Oregon game at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles over Labor Day weekend.
Brice also said the Irish's schedule shuffle would affect another Big Ten team.
"I was told to expect the likelihood that Purdue would be disappearing from Notre Dame's schedule," Brice said.
Purdue and Notre Dame are scheduled to play on Sept. 4, 2027, in South Bend, and on Sept. 23, 2028, at Ross-Ade Stadium. The NCAA recently changed its scheduling model to allow games in what was formerly referred to as Week 0. Notre Dame moved its game with Kent State to that weekend. Purdue has not yet announced any changes for that week.
Purdue coach Barry Odom on Monday said he had no information about a potential change.
"I don't talk to anyone in South Bend," Odom said. "I've got a lot of respect for Marcus Freeman. I hope they have great success."
The series has not been competitive in recent years. Notre Dame has won 11 straight dating back to 2008. It has outscored the Boilermakers 171-47 over the past three games. The Irish appeared in the College Football Playoff national championship game in 2024, missed the tourney despite going 10-2 last season and are currently 6-1 and ranked No. 6 in the US LBM USA TODAY coaches poll.
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The shift to a 24-team playoff could play into how both programs evaluate the series' value. High-profile programs such as Notre Dame might seek out more competitively equated opponents, as a single loss will not hurt their postseason chances as much. Programs trying to climb back towards fringe playoff contention, such as Purdue, might look for more equitable matchups as well.
The Big Ten already plays nine conference games. The move to a 24-team playoff would include a mandate that all conference teams play at least one Power Four team (or Notre Dame) in its nonconference schedule.
Purdue is already scheduled to play the return game of its home-and-home series with Wake Forest in 2028. Next season, though, it would need to find a P4 replacement if the Notre Dame series goes away. It was originally scheduled to play North Carolina next season, but the Tar Heels moved that series farther into the future to accommodate the ACC's shift to nine conference games.
Notre Dame also played Wisconsin and Michigan State this season. It is scheduled to play at the Spartans next season. Purdue is its only currently scheduled Big Ten opponent for 2028.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Will Purdue continue to play Notre Dame football series? Speculation continues