Your Picks on Wake Forest vs Purdue

Matchup and opening form

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons visit the Purdue Boilermakers at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026. The 2026 college football matchup is scheduled for noon on FS1, with both teams entering 1-0.

Purdue began with a 44-19 victory over Indiana State. Ryan Browne completed 23 of 29 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Asaad Waseem contributed six receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown, while Fame Ijeboi rushed for 87 yards and a score on 11 carries.

Wake Forest also received substantial production from its quarterback. Gio Lopez completed 21 of 32 passes for 350 yards and three touchdowns, including two touchdown passes covering 70 yards. The Demon Deacons recorded 559 total yards in their opener; Purdue finished with 523. Neither team committed a turnover.

What those results establish

Both offenses started productively, but one game apiece offers a limited basis for projecting this matchup. The yardage totals alone do not establish which team should win or whether Purdue can cover three points.

Penalties also featured in both openers: Wake Forest drew 11 for 115 yards, and Purdue had nine for 85 yards. Purdue reported 16 players making their first starts for the program. That turnover adds uncertainty, but it does not establish that improvement will follow.

Odds and decision

Wake Forest is -3 (-110) and -153 on the moneyline. Purdue is +3 (-110) and +132 on the moneyline. Over 50 is -110, and under 50 is -110.

The available results do not establish a reliable advantage on the spread, moneyline or total. Productive openers are insufficient grounds for an over bet, just as Purdue’s passing performance alone does not justify taking the points. The recommendation is Pass, with no projected winner or score.