What you need to know: The Brian Kelly era at Notre Dame officially begins against a Purdue team that finished 5-7 last season and replaced its entire defensive secondary. But coach Danny Hope's squad does boast devastating defensive end Ryan Kerrigan. The 6-foot-4, 263-pound senior pocketed 13 sacks in 2009 -- third highest in the nation -- and will look to hassle new Irish quarterback Dayne Crist immediately. Purdue returns five of its starting front seven on defense from a year ago, one that allowed 173.4 rushing yards per game. The Boilermakers’ spread offense will operate with new QB Robert Marve, a Miami (Fla.) transfer who hasn't played since 2008, and without last season's rushing leader Ralph Bolden (knee). Marve has Keith Smith, the Big Ten Conference's top receiver last year, as a primary target. A well-hyped Marve threw for 1,293 yards as the Hurricanes' freshman starter but tossed more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (nine). The Fighting Irish offense oozes with experience, albeit from a different system than Kelly's newly-installed spread. Senior tailback Armando Allen, junior tight end Kyle Rudolph and junior wideout Michael Floyd -- a combo that will provide plenty of calm for Crist -- all are back. Crist completed only 10 passes while serving as Jimmy Clausen's backup, but he's seemingly grasped what it takes to pilot the spread. Both offenses are capable of piling up points. Notre Dame senior safety Harrison Smith highlights a secondary looking to plug its many leaks from last fall and get off to a good start against the Boilermakers. They'll get plenty of help up front from a talented group of linebackers led by sophomore sensation Manti Te'o and a veteran defensive line.

Morgan's prediction: Notre Dame 34, Purdue 21