Purdue Boilermakers 2016 NCAA Football Preview
PURDUE BOILERMAKERS
Big 10 Conference – West Division
2015 Record – 2-10
ATS – 6-6
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
West Division #7
Conference – #13
2015 Recap
Year three of the Darrell Hazell experiment went much like the first two seasons. Poorly. They only defeated one FBS team all season but at least that victory was against a Big 10 team (Nebraska). The offense was inconsistent and the defense was familiarly horrible. Hazell is definitely on the proverbial hot seat with a 6-30 record so far at Purdue. That brings his career win loss record to 22-40.
OFFENSE
QB David Blough was fine in his freshman season. He played exceptionally well in the game vs Nebraska. If Purdue has any shot of making a bowl game in 2016 they need him to step up and be really good. There are some weapons to work with as seven of the top eight in receptions from 2015 are back along with budding star Markell Jones at RB. All he did in his freshman season was rush for 875 yards and 10 TDs.
The only way Purdue has a decent year is if the offensive line is a LOT better than last season. The Boilermakers were ranked 13th in the Big 10 in rushing offense and 13th in sacks allowed. They return three of five starters on the OL and have some nice size so it is not impossible to think that the big boys can improve.
DEFENSE
It was another hot mess in 2015. When you can’t stop either the run or the pass, and you get no pressure on the QB, things are going to go poorly (hot take). We have to put on our optimistic hat for a second and note that Purdue returns 8 starters to the unit so they should theoretically improve this season. However, we are still skeptical they will be able to stop the run or be able to slow down decent passing teams as they are breaking in two new starting cornerbacks.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Reload time. Purdue will be featuring new specialists at PR, KR, and PK. Big time red flags are going up here.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 3.0
MEGALOCKS says:
We do not have a handle on the identity they are trying to establish on offense. Apparently they want more of a west coast feel, yet the starting QB is not entirely suited for that style, and that opens up the possibility of a fourth straight season with a mid-season QB change. Great.
Overall, we give the BOILERMAKERS a 3.0 ATS Value Rating (Below Average) this season. We will say this. As disgusting as the brand of football has been on the field the past two seasons Purdue has managed to go 13-11 against the number including 7-2 as a road underdog. They have made a habit the last two seasons of covering large numbers on the road so maybe you can look to them to play a similar role in 2016. Overall, we have very little confidence in the coaching staff and while the defense is more experienced, we think that they will still find a way to get shredded way too often. We will reassess but right now would only consider them for play as significant underdogs ATS.
Want more Purdue football?
Website
http://www.purduesports.com/sports/m-footbl/pur-m-footbl-body.html
Forum
https://purdue.forums.rivals.com/forums/free-board-boilermaker-football.24/
http://purdue.247sports.com/Board/Purdue-Boilermakers-Message-Board-Forum-59450
http://www.scout.com/college/purdue/forums/2821-ross-ade-stadium
News
http://www.hammerandrails.com/
http://www.indystar.com/sports/boilers/
http://bleacherreport.com/purdue-football
http://www.news-sentinel.com/sports/pu/
https://twitter.com/BoilerFootball @BoilerFootball
https://twitter.com/nbairdjc @nbairdjc Nathan Baird