Purdue Pauses Notre Dame Series, Adds West Virginia
Purdue has paused its football series with Notre Dame and added West Virginia to its 2027 nonconference schedule. Athletic director Tommy McClelland announced the change on November 3.
Purdue will not play Notre Dame as scheduled in its upcoming football slate, with the rivalry set aside while the schools consider possible future meetings. The Boilermakers have added a 2027 game at West Virginia; a date has not been announced.
Athletic director Tommy McClelland said Purdue is preparing for possible College Football Playoff expansion to 24 teams, which he said could bring scheduling requirements that include 10 regular-season games against power-conference opponents. He said arranging games that support coach Barry Odom’s program and its goals has been a priority since he arrived.
Purdue and Notre Dame have met 90 times, on and off. Notre Dame has won the past 11 matchups, with Purdue’s last victory in 2007. In their most recent three games, the Irish scored 171 points to Purdue’s 47, and each of those contests included at least 49 Notre Dame points.
Purdue lost to both Notre Dame and Wake Forest this season. The team is 3-5, and the case for changing the schedule centers on its effort to reach bowl eligibility by winning six games. West Virginia offers a power-conference opponent, while McClelland said the Notre Dame rivalry could be considered again for later schedules.