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Penn State football will face Purdue in a spooky Halloween matchup as both teams return to the gridiron after their bye weeks in Week 9. The Nittany Lions turned in an abysmal offensive performance en route to a 21-18 loss to Michigan prior to the break.

The Boilermakers rattled off back-to-back conference wins over Illinois and Minnesota in Weeks 5 and 6, snapping a 19-game, 1,043-day Big Ten losing streak dating back to 2023. They slipped back into the loss column against Washington before the bye.

Something has to give. Penn State and Matt Campbell can open their Big Ten account or continue their losing ways to a non-appalling Purdue team.

Here’s what our staff thinks will happen on the spookiest day of the year.

Brandon Collica (3-3): Penn State 30, Purdue 21

Penn State will return to the win column against Purdue on Halloween. The Nittany Lions have won 11 straight over the Boilermakers and haven’t lost a game since 2004.

Purdue has had a surprisingly good offense this year, ranking eighth in the Big Ten in yards and points per game. Despite all this, I just can’t pick against the Nittany Lions. Penn State will get it done and keep its Pinstripe Bowl dreams alive.

Brian Kriley (4-3): Penn State 24, Purdue 14

I’m not gonna let Rocco Becht’s performance in Big Ten play so far dim my shimmer.

Give me the Nittany Lions. I have a good feeling about this one.

Christopher Green (1-3): Penn State 14, Purdue 7

Penn State is coming off a bye week. ESPN favors the Nittany Lions to win this week. Koby Howard is questionable. I feel confident this is the week Penn State fans get what they want.

Cooper Allmaras (0-4): Penn State 23, Purdue 20

I think Penn State can finally get a Big Ten win this week, as it wants to prove to the home crowd it’s not as bad as fans once thought.

Purdue is a hot-and-cold team, so if Penn State catches the Boilermakers on a down week, we can take advantage.

Emery Molnar (0-1): Penn State 27, Purdue 24

The return of receiving talent and a week off will let Penn State feel rejuvenated and power it to its first Big Ten win over weaker competition. However, it won’t come easy.

Holden Mostofsky (3-4): Penn State 21, Purdue 30

I’m too concerned with the amount of injuries Penn State has had. I haven’t seen much offensive improvement, either, so I’m going with Purdue on this one.

Ian Becker (1-3): Penn State 30, Purdue 21

I’m hopeful for Penn State’s first Big Ten win to come this Halloween. Purdue is a basketball school. Penn State’s still a football school, right?

I mean, Penn State’s clearly not great, but neither is Purdue. I foresee a Ben Brahmer legacy game incoming. Give me the Nittany Lions.

Jake Speicher (2-2): Penn State 35, Purdue 0

The Nittany Lions hire a witch doctor and call on Halloween spirits to lead them to victory.

Jason Perry (5-1): Penn State 34, Purdue 24

If the Nittany Lions don’t win this one, I’m not sure what they’ll win ever. Yes, Purdue is 2-2 in Big Ten play while Penn State is 0-4, but Purdue didn’t win a conference matchup in 2024 or 2025.

I think this Penn State team is better than the Boilermakers, and it needs to prove it on Saturday.

Karlee Feger (2-3): Penn State 28, Purdue 21

Well, my hope is decreasing each week, but I can’t bring myself to go against the Nittany Lions.

Both teams are 3-4, so I think it can be anyone’s game. I’m expecting another defensive clinic from Tony Rojas, and once again, Howard, you are dearly missed (please be ready).

Michael Zeno (5-2): Penn State 28, Purdue 25

You can make the case that the five easiest opponents are yet to be played for Penn State. Three of the four Big Ten losses so far are ranked, while Michigan at the Big House has just never gone well for this program.

Just based on vibes, this will be a big swing game for bowl eligibility (yuck). Lose this, and all of a sudden you nearly have to run the table. I think we’ll see Howard back in a limited capacity. Hopefully they’ll give this crowd something to cheer about.

Tyler Eyerman (0-1): Penn State 30, Purdue 0

Becht heard the noise and will have a career day on Halloween, throwing for 270-or-more yards and 2 touchdowns (probably delusional at this point).

Zach Paulhamus (2-2): Penn State 24, Purdue 20

I know it’s Purdue, but the Boilermakers have a history of spoiling big moments. For Penn State, it’s gameday on Halloween.

Chase Sowell and Howard are both questionable, and with so many other guys out, I’m expecting a closer game than anyone would like.

If Sowell can go, I think Penn State does enough offensively to pull it out at home. If both receivers miss, I don’t think Andrew Rappleyea or Brahmer can save the passing game, and we all know the run game isn’t saving us in conference play.

I could definitely see Purdue stealing this one, but I’d give Penn State the edge in a close contest.

Cadyn Gill (5-2): Penn State 23, Purdue 17

It’s a 3-4 Halloween showdown in Happy Valley between the Nittany Lions and the Boilermakers.

Both teams are coming off a Week 8 bye, so I expect some widespread schematic tweaks.

I don’t have much confidence in Penn State based on any specific matchup advantage over Purdue, but I do think the blue and white have fallen just short of a few wins against decent teams (Wisconsin, USC, Michigan).

With better play from Becht, who hopefully got a mental reset over the week off, I’ll reluctantly pick Penn State to win this one.

Jamie Lynch (3-4): Penn State 27, Purdue 23

The Boilermakers have a much improved unit this season compared to the two previous teams that went winless in the Big Ten.

That being said, a train is no match for a Nittany Lion. I think Penn State will snap its four-game skid with a much-needed home win. If the blue and white want to clinch a postseason berth, beating Purdue on Saturday is a critical step.

Oscar Orellana (5-2): Penn State 30, Purdue 20

Purdue is no pushover, and Penn State should be scared of missing out on bowl eligibility with a Saturday loss.

Yet, something tells me this Penn State team has been through the wringer and will really come out with a point to prove on Halloween. Seriously, something has to click to get a Big Ten win on the board.

The fans are starving for a win, the players are, and Campbell is, too. Let Rojas and the secondary generate some turnovers and carry the offense over the finish line. This game is far too winnable and important for Penn State to drop it.

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