Barry Odom is trying to rebuild Purdue football after a disastrous 1-11 season led to the firing of previous coach Ryan Walters.
Odom’s preparing his team for a nonconference schedule over the first month of the season that includes games against Ball State, Southern Illinois and — gulp — Notre Dame.
On 107.5 FM in Indianapolis last week, the coach noted that, while each Big Ten team already plays nine conference games, offering the fans more chances to watch top-flight competition should be the goal.
“That is something that sets the standard in college football right now,” adding that all conferences should have nine-game schedules. “It’s so important to have games that fans are excited about.”
Re-live Purdue’s run to the Final Four with our commemorative book
Odom added that he’s eager to prepare his team for the tougher tests, unlike another program in the state.
“I could take the approach of one of the other schools in the state, cancel games and do some of those things, but the schedule is what it is,” Odom said.
Purdue currently has games scheduled against Wake Forest (2026, ’28), Notre Dame (2026, ’27, ’28), North Carolina (2027), Vanderbilt (2029) and TCU (2030) in upcoming seasons.
Indiana’s 2025 nonconference slate includes Old Dominion, Kennesaw State and Indiana State, all at home. The Hoosiers also recently canceled a home-and-home series with Virginia. At the moment, IU’s next power conference-caliber nonconference opponent is Notre Dame in 2030.
Purdue football nonconference schedule
Aug. 30: vs. Ball State
Sept. 6: vs. Southern Illinois
Sept. 20: at Notre Dame
Indiana football nonconference schedule
Aug. 30: vs. Old Dominion
Sept. 6: vs. Kennesaw State
Sept. 12: vs. Indiana State
The interview begins at the 1-hour, 5-minute mark.
Get IndyStar’s Purdue coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Boiler Update newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue football coach Barry Odom takes shot at Indiana’s schedule
Reporting by Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
