Big Ten Sleeper: Purdue Boilermakers
Let’s just say the Boilermakers have been in a bit of a rut.
They were rolling along in 2018 with a nice 4-3 record, and then they managed to lose four of their last six including the Music City Bowl to Auburn 63-14.
Now they’re 8-16 in their last 24 games, and the Jeff Brohm era could use a bit of a kickstart.
– Predicting Every 2021 Big Ten Game
The program has known just one winning season since 2011, hasn’t won more than seven games since 2007, and hasn’t won more than eight since 2003.
This year’s version might just have the right makeup and schedule make a monster comeback.
The offense has some of the best receiving weapons in the Big Ten, the defense has pass rushing terror George Karlaftis on the line and a slew of excellent linebackers, and above all, the schedule isn’t bad.
Purdue can’t take any team for granted, but Oregon State, at UConn, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan State, Indiana. If this is going to be a breakthrough season, winning at least four is a must, but five would be better.
There should be another victory or two somewhere – going to Nebraska isn’t that bad, and dealing with Wisconsin at home and Northwestern on a neutral site are possible gets.
The program and Brohm are overdue to do something amazing.
– CFN 2021 Preview: All 130 Team Previews