Purdue Boilermakers 2021 College Football Preview
2020 Recap
Record – 2-4
ATS –1-5
Live by the sword, die by the sword, yo.
The Boilermakers won their first two contests (Iowa, Illinois) in CLOSE SHAVE fashion and then dropped their final four games the exact same way. Every game on the schedule was decided by one score, other than the season finale loss to CORN (L 37-27). It’s tough to learn much from the 2020 scamdemic season but at least they were competitive. On to 2021.
Purdue Boilermakers 2021 Outlook
OFFENSE
If HC Jeff Brohm is truly the greatest offensive mind of all time then he’ll figure out a way to get the ground game going. Right? For two straight seasons the Boilers have gained less than 100 YPG (!) with the rushing attack (#124 FBS, #126 in 2019). #1 RB Zander Horvath returns (442, 5.0; 30 receptions) but it’s unclear what kind of depth they have in the room. The good news is that Jack Plummer and Aidan O’Connell both provide legit arms at QB (combined 15-4 TD to INT LY) and they get back their top-two WRs in David Bell and Milton Wright. Losing star WR Rondale Moore is a bummer. Four starters are back up front and they’ll have to step up their game. Bagging guard Tyler Witt from the Hilltoppers should help. There’s potential on offense but they’re likely to be overrated (again).
DEFENSE
Purdue was pretty good vs the run LY (#6 Big Ten) but had trouble defending the pass (#12 Big Ten pass efficiency D, 66%). It didn’t help that they had no ability to get PENETRATION (5 sacks in 6G, last Big Ten sacks per game). Three starters are back up front including DE George Karlaftis who showed promise in 2019 (7.5 sacks), and note that he missed time LY. Hopefully they can get a bit more pressure on the QB as a group. Losing LB Derrick Barnes (#1 tackler) to the NFL stings and it’s unclear how good they’ll be in the middle of the defense. The secondary should be improved with the return of three starters and the addition of DB Jamari Brown from Kentucky. They’ll need assistance from an improved pass rush.
SPECIAL TEAMS
The group was horrible on the whole LY (#120 Phil Steele rankings) and will try a new P and PK in 2021. Yikes.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – They have a sneaky-tough opener with Oregon St (H) and have to travel to South Bend in non-conference action. They draw a road test with Ohio St.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Northwestern (November 20th)
This will be their 3rd road game in four weeks and the Cats can RUN TO THE BALL on defense. Rivalry game with Indiana is on deck.
Season Win Total
Per 5Dimes August 15
Over 5.5 +105
Under 5.5 -125
MEGALOCKS says:
No leanage.
That looks about right. It feels like a 50/50 shot to gain bowl eligibility.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Only one of the last NINE Purdue head coaches have booked a winning record. That was the great Joe Tiller (1997-2008, 87-62, .587).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
It feels like a mixed bag. The THROW GAME should work just fine but we’re still not sure they can be balanced on offense. The defense could be better than we think, particularly up front. The schedule is a bit rough and we’ll call for 5-6 wins.
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NEWS
http://www.hammerandrails.com/
http://www.indystar.com/sports/boilers/
http://www.jconline.com/sports/boilermakers/
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2509/purdue-boilermakers
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