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What does Oscar Sloan's commitment mean for Purdue's quarterback momentum? What will it take for the Boilermakers to upset Illinois on the road. Also, what Nathan and Sam were talking about basketball-wise after practice opened last week.

Did Purdue football show anything in its lopsided loss to No. 3 Notre Dame that conveys what it might do against talent-equated opponents ahead? Nathan Baird and Sam King detail an offense which never got going and a defense still struggling with common themes.

The Purdue men's basketball season begins this week with practices, then gives way to Notre Dame at Purdue football on Saturday. Nathan Baird and Sam King discuss what it would take for a Boilers upset, are joined by the South Bend Tribune's Mike Berardino to trade notes on each team, and then talk Boilermakers basketball.

Purdue quarterback Ryan Browne was excellent, though not perfect, at UCLA. Kevin Kane's defense got a few stops but allowed more than 600 yards of offense. Nathan Baird and Sam King break down a 52-38 loss at the Rose Bowl, one where turnovers and penalties flipped the game. Read: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/purdue/2026/09/20/purdue-football-coach-barry-odom-faith-kevin-kane-ryan-brown-collide-ucla/91847577007/ Subscribe to the newsletter: https://profile.indystar.com/newsletters/manage/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NathanBairdIndyStar/videos

Now that we've seen two Purdue football games, what were we right about coming out of preseason camp, and what did we get wrong? Also, Nathan and Sam discuss The Athletic report on football sending and give their picks for Saturday at UCLA.

Purdue came up a half-yard short on a fourth-and-15 defensive stop, but otherwise showed positive steps forward in the second year of Barry Odom's tenure against a Power Four opponent. Though the losing streak against P4's reaches 20, Nathan Baird and Sam King analyze how the Wake Forest game showed progress, and room for improvement.

Trey Kaufman-Renn's college career may continue, but not at Purdue. Sam and Nathan start there, before delving into Saturday's football game against Wake Forst -- a potential must-win for bowl contention.

It wasn't the prettiest, especially early, but Year 2 under coach Barry Odom started with a 44-19 Purdue win. IndyStar insider Nathan Baird and Journal & Courier's Sam King discuss playmakers emerging, Kevin Kane's defense and what lies ahead.

How many games will Purdue football win in 2026? Nathan and Sam give their game-by-game predictions and discuss the likelihood of a breakthrough back to bowl contention for the Boilermakers.

What about Purdue football's performance in preseason camp suggests a breakout is coming? What gives us pause that 2026 will be a big step forward? Nathan and Sam break down the reasons of optimism and pessimism as the season opener approaches.

Have playmakers started showing up on offense? Will experience on defense make a difference? Does Purdue have a No. 2 quarterback? IndyStar Purdue insider Nathan Baird and the Journal & Courier's Sam King answer each other's pressing questions halfway through preseason camp. For the best Purdue sports coverage, sign up for IndyStar's Boilermakers newsletter.

New Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland went viral before the end of his first press conference. He also began to lay out his vision for the next era of Boilermaker sports. Join IndyStar insider Nathan Baird and the Journal & Courier's Sam King who were on hand for McClelland's introduction and more.

The Purdue football season begins in earnest Thursday, the second under coach Barry Odom. IndyStar Purdue insider Nathan Baird and the Journal & Courier's Sam King detail what they're watching as the Boilermakers look to improve after a 2-10 campaign in Year 1 under Odom.

Purdue has reportedly hired Tommy McClelland to lead its athletic department forward, taking over for the retiring Mike Bobinski. IndyStar Purdue insider Nathan Baird and the Journal & Courier's Sam King look into McClelland's background, detailing how his experiences at Vanderbilt and Rice matter as he tackles challenges at Purdue.

BoilersXTRA: What has Purdue men's basketball shown during its first two victories in Canada, and what more do the Boilermakers need to accomplish on the back end of this trip? Also, Nathan and Sam recap Mike Bobinski's media roundtable and what's next for Purdue's AD search.