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Some of the early lines on the 2013 season are coming out and if you're a betting person Vegas seems to have more faith than the media in our Boilermakers. A media poll conducted by the Cleveland Plain Dealer has Purdue finishing fifth out of six in the Leaders Division, topping only Illinois.
Even worse, Indiana is picked as the most surprising team in the Big Ten with 13 votes. Purdue tied with Michigan State in this category with two votes.
In terms of actual win predictions, Purdue is right on the cusp of a bowl. Bovada has the Over/Under on Purdue wins at 5.5:
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Purdue Boilermakers
Over
Under
As far as the opponents of Purdue:
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Cincinnati Bearcats
Over
Under
(No odds on Indiana State)
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Over
Under
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Wisconsin Badgers
Over
Under
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Northern Illinois Huskies
Over
Under
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Nebraska Cornhuskers
Over
Under
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Michigan State Spartans
Over
Under
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Ohio State Buckeyes
Over 11 (+160)
Under
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Iowa Hawkeyes
Over
Under
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Penn State Nittany Lions
Over
Under
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Illinois Fighting Illini
Over
Under
2013 Regular Season - Total Wins - Indiana Hoosiers
Over
Under
Yikes. If Purdue is to win six games it must defeat at least four teams with equal or greater over/unders on wins in 2013. Only Indiana State (off the board as an FCS team) and Illinois could be called "expected wins"
Personally, I would take the over on Purdue as well as Northern Illinois, Nebraska, Penn State, and Indiana. I'd take the under on Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Ohio State, Iowa, and Illinois.