TCU opens as 3.5 underdogs at Purdue

Rondale Moore is good. Very good in fact. Probably ***elite***.

But one dominating wide receiver does not a football team make - heck, TCU fans are pretty familiar with that refrain.

Moore and the Boilermakers bounced back from a week one defeat at the hands of Nevada - the same Wolfpack squad that was slaughtered by Oregon in week two by a score of 77-6 - to upend the mighty Vanderbilt Commodores, an SEC program that went 6-7 in 2018 (but hey, even they beat Nevada!). For their efforts, the Boilermakers have the distinction of being 3.5 point favorites over the Horned Frogs when TCU travels to West Lafayette this Saturday for an evening kickoff.

We don’t know a whole lot about either team, if we are being honest - after all, the Frogs showed us little in their home opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a 39-7 win. A week two bye does little to offer information as well, but it does give noted defensive genius Gary Patterson an extra week to prepare for the electric Moore. Despite this fact, the Purdue O is feeling pretty good about their matchup, according to their tight end:

Purdue, a trendy pick to make some noise in the Big Ten after going 6-7 in year two of the Jeff Brohm remodel - but with a big win over Ohio State - is looking for a statement win. Meanwhile, the Frogs are looking to solidify their identity on offense and find their starting QB.

They’ll look to do it as underdogs, their favorite place to be. Moore is likely going to get his, even against a secondary that could very well be the best in the Big 12. The question is, will it be enough? TCU’s star receiver might have something to say about that too.

We will find out Saturday night.