EVANSTON, Ill. (Interstat) — A pair of Big Ten teams trending in opposite directions will meet Saturday when the Northwestern Wildcats host the Purdue Boilermakers at Martin Stadium.

Northwestern (3-2) enters the contest with momentum after a 22-21 road victory over Penn State last Saturday. The Wildcats have won three of their last four games.

Purdue (2-3), meanwhile, looks to snap a three-game losing skid. The Boilermakers are coming off a 27-20 loss at Minnesota, a game in which their rushing attack, led by Devin Mockobee’s 98 yards, found traction but ultimately fell short.

Despite the records, the pregame spread favors Purdue by 2.5 points. The over/under is set at 46.5. A projection from Interstat forecasts a narrow Northwestern victory, 29-28.

The game features a contrast in strengths. Purdue’s offense has shown a potent ground game, with quarterbacks Ryan Browne and Malachi Singleton combining for 134 rushing yards and a touchdown last week. Northwestern’s defense will be tested after its offense, guided by quarterback Preston Stone, did just enough to secure last week’s upset.