Washington vs. Purdue Prediction, CFB Week 7 Odds & Best Bets (10/16)

Fact checked at 9:15 AM ET, Oct 16, 2026

Odds as of Oct 16, 9:14 AM ET

Washington (3-3, 0-3 Big Ten) arrives in West Lafayette on a three-game losing streak, the latest a 41-24 home loss to Iowa. Purdue (3-3, 2-1) has won its last two conference games, 24-17 at Illinois and 41-13 over Minnesota, the same Minnesota team that won 27-24 in Seattle.

Washington's offense was the problem before its quarterback got hurt. The Huskies haven't scored more than 24 points against an FBS opponent this season, and their 90.3 rushing yards per game rank 135th in the country. Demond Williams Jr. hurt his ribs against Iowa and is questionable on the Big Ten availability report. Coach Jedd Fisch said Monday he was "not under the impression he'll be playing this week." Elijah Brown, the Stanford transfer, has taken the first-team reps and is expected to make his first start for Washington. Four Huskies running backs are listed out, along with linebacker Xe'ree Alexander, who started the last two games, and defensive lineman Kai McClendon, who had played in all six.

Purdue allowed 15 points a game in its two Big Ten wins, and the market has moved its way. The Boilermakers opened as a field-goal favorite or less and are now -3.5, with the moneyline at -175 and Washington at +140.

Kickoff is at 8:00 PM ET at Ross-Ade Stadium on FOX. Expect about 50 degrees, a north wind of 15 to 17 mph through the game, gusts past 30 and a chance of showers. All of it points to a low-scoring Purdue win.

Washington vs. Purdue Predictions

• Pick #1: Under 49.5 (-110)
• Pick #2: Purdue -3.5 (-105)

PICK #1: Under 49.5 (-110)

Washington has scored 24, 16, 24, 21 and 24 against FBS teams this season. Tonight it plays at 5 p.m. Seattle time, on the road, with a backup expected under center and four running backs out.

There isn't much of a running game left. Washington ran for -3 yards against Iowa, 116 at USC and 40 against Minnesota, and Williams carried 11, 13 and 15 times in those games. If Brown starts, those carries go too: he has minus-133 career rushing yards between Stanford and Washington. Purdue gave up 147 rushing yards across its two Big Ten wins, 27 of them to Minnesota.

Purdue's offense should shorten the night as well. It ran 47 times for 305 yards against Minnesota, with Fame Ijeboi going for 195, and Washington's front is without Alexander and McClendon after Iowa's Kamari Moulton ran for 208 yards on it. With the wind gusting past 30 mph, Purdue has every reason to keep handing Ijeboi the ball.

Purdue's defense is the worry. It allowed 38, 52 and 49 points in its three losses, and four of Purdue's last five games went over 49.5. Brown also threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns in relief against Iowa, but Iowa led 27-0 when Williams went down, and Washington was chasing the game and throwing far more than usual. The -110 price implies 52.4%. A 27-17 final, which is about what this matchup suggests, lands 5.5 points under.

PICK #2: Purdue -3.5 (-105)

The Washington offense that keeps this total down also has to win the game, and it hasn't topped 24 against an FBS team all season. With a backup on the road and no running game, the Huskies would need their defense to carry them, and that defense is playing without Alexander and McClendon.

Minnesota is the common opponent. The Gophers beat Washington in Seattle, and Purdue beat them by 28 last week, running for 305 yards and holding them to 27 on the ground. The line has moved from a field goal or less to -3.5 this week.

This bet assumes Brown starts, which is where every report this week points. If Williams does play, Washington gets its quarterback back but still not a running game: it ran for 40 yards or fewer in two of his last three starts.

The hook is the risk, since a three-point Purdue win loses. Washington also beat Purdue 49-13 in Seattle last season, with Williams completing 16 of 19 passes, but this Washington team has lost three straight. At -105 you need Purdue to cover 51.2% of the time, and a win by a touchdown does it.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.