Purdue vs Notre Dame 2010 College Football Picks, 2010 College Football Predictions & 2010 College Football Odds: The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will host the Big 10's Purdue Boilermakers for their 2010 season opener tomorrow afternoon. Kickoff is set for 3:30pm ET at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana; the game will be broadcast live on NBC. 2010 College Football Picks, Predictions & Odds at BetUS.com have the Fighting Irish listed as a -11 against the spread home favorite and the Over/Under set at 54.5.
The Boilermakers began anew last season as Danny Hope took over for Purdue legend Joe Tiller, the school's all-time wins 
leader. Hope did not inherit the most talented roster, which was reflected in the team's 5-7 record; however, the Boilermakers did beat Ohio State and Michigan and lost to Notre Dame, Oregon, and Michigan State by a combined eight points.
Hope lost quarterback Joey Elliot as well as his leading rusher in Ralph Bolden, but retained wide receiver Keith Smith (91 receptions, 1100 yards, six touchdowns). Taking over for Kelly is Miami transfer Robert Mavre, who threw for 1293 yards in 2008 while rushing for 119.
The strength of the team, which is a surprise given some of the prolific offenses Tiller fielded, will be the defense, which brings back four of the top five tacklers as well as leading pass rusher Ryan Kerrigan (13). The team allowed 29.1 points per game last season, but should see a drop in that number this year.
While Purdue revamped in 2009, Notre Dame will do so this season as Brian Kelly takes over for the dismissed Charlie Weis. Kelly has done some great things at his three previous stops, turning Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, and Cincinnati into perennial winners. Fighting Irish fans are hoping he can restore some pride in the football program at Notre Dame, which has lost four of its last five bowl games.
Kelly inherits 14 starters from last year's 6-6 squad, including nine first stringers from a defense that allowed 25.9 points per contest. While Kelly is certainly known for his offensive acumen, like Hope, he may find himself leaning more on his defense this season. That said, there are some pieces on offense, including running back Armando Allen, wide receiver Michael Floyd, and highly touted signal caller Dayne Crist.
Notre Dame got the better of Purdue last year, beating the Boilermakers 24-21 in West Lafayette. The Irish did not light up Hope's squad, producing a modest 389 total yards with Jimmy Clausen under center; however, they did stymie Purdue's offense, limiting the Boilermakers to 289 yards and a 2.8 yards per carry average. Despite a new regime being in South Bend, tomorrow afternoon's result could be quite similar to last season's finish, which makes the 11 point spread a little much.
2010 College Football Picks Betting Trend: Purdue is 0-6 straight up but 5-1 against the spread over the last five years playing as a road dog of +10.5 or more. Notre Dame is 12-2 straight up and 3-11 against the spread over the last five seasons as a -10.5 or more home favorite.
BetUS.com Purdue vs Notre Dame 2010 College Football Picks, Predictions & Odds:
Purdue Boilermakers +11 (-110), Over 54.5 (-110), +350 (Moneyline)
Notre Dame Fighting Irish -11 (-110), Under 54.5 (-110), -450 (Moneyline)
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