Purdue Football: Potential Wins & Losses

It has been a rough few years for our Boilers. Times are a changing though, Coach Brohm has brought excitement back to West Lafayette with his big time offense and plethora of talented coaches.

It is a process, we all know that. Rome wasn’t built in a day. It will take time, perhaps years. We have to be patient with Coach Brohm and his staff. They are good coaches, proven winners, but they need to get their guys here. It is hard to get players to buy in to a new mentality and staff. Growing pains will happen and this year’s schedule is no cupcake.

So what could it look like? I am fairly optimistic, I don’t think 4 or 5 wins is out of the realm and if we can get 6, we should build a statue of Coach Brohm (joking obviously).

Vs. Louisville Cardinals, September 2nd, Lucas Oil Stadium

2016 Record: 9-4

Impact Players Returning: Lamar Jackson (QB), Jeremy Smith (RB), Jamari Staples (WR), Chucky Williams (S)

Outcome: Louisville ended their season with three straight losses. They return Heisman winner, Lamar Jackson, which does not bode well for us. They lost a lot position wise on offense, but Lamar Jackson is good enough to make everyone around him better. Kind of a homecoming for Coach Brohm as this was where he played, it could get ugly fast, or we could keep it close. Loss - 45-28

Vs. Ohio Bobcats, FRIDAY, September 8th, Ross-Ade Stadium

2016 Record: 8-6

Impact Players Returning: Greg Windham (QB), Dorian Brown (RB), Sebastian Smith (WR), Quentin Poling (LB)

Outcome: This is one of the better teams from the MAC. They return their top QB, RB and WR. Poling is a RS Senior that was 2nd on the team in tackles last season. This will be a close game. I do think David Blough and co., win this one in a shootout, we score a lot of points against a MAC defense here. Win - 41-27

@ Missouri Tigers, September 16th, Faurot Field

2016 Record: 4-8

Impact Players Returning: Drew Lock (QB), Damarea Crockett (RB), J’Mon Moore (WR)

Outcome: Mizzou was young last year, Lock was a sophomore, Crockett was a freshman starting. They were awful away from home, as they won all four of their games at Faurot Field, which doesn’t bode well for us. I am going to go on a limb here though, say that we get our first road win game under Coach Brohm in Missouri. Win - 31-28

Vs. Michigan Wolverines, September 23rd, Ross-Ade Stadium

2016 Record: 10-3

Impact Players Returning: Wilton Speight (QB), Chris Evans (RB)

Outcome: UM loses a lot. They had the most players drafted in the NFL draft a couple weeks back. Evans was a freshman last year, Speight was okay, he will be pushed by incoming freshman quarterbacks. The Harbaugh effect is in full force, while they ose their top 3 tacklers on defense, he will replenish them with more 4* and 5* guys. Loss - 31-14

Vs. Minnesota Gophers, October 7th, Ross-Ade Stadium

2016 Record: 9-4

Impact Players Returning: Rodney Smith (RB), Rashad Still (WR), Jon Celestin (LB)

Outcome: They are in a bit of turmoil with the new staff coming in as well. They will have issues with players buying in also. PJ Fleck is trying to row his boat in Minnesota, he has plenty of early commits right now but has been criticized by Iowa already. Will his crazy antics work in the B1G? Or is he a flash in the pan? I like Coach Brohm as the better coach here. They do not have an established qb coming back either, while we do. Win - 27-17

@ Wisconsin Badgers, October 14th, Camp Randall

2016 Record: 11-3

Impact Players Returning: Alex Hornibrook (QB), Bradrick Shaw (RB), Jazz Peavy (WR), TJ Edwards, (MLB)

Outcome: They always seem to get near 400 yards rushing on us. This year probably will be close to the same, their gigantic offensive line always eats us up and their defense is always very solid. Loss - 35-10

@ Rutgers Scarlet Knights, October 21st, High Point Solutions Stadium

2016 Record: 2-10

Impact Players Returning: Uh.

Outcome: If we lose, I will be very angry. Coach Brohm will get is a win here. Win - 31-24

Vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers, October 28th, Ross-Ade Stadium

2016 Record: 9-4

Impact Players Returning: They lost literally everyone. So, Josh Kalu (DB)

Outcome: They have turnover at almost every spot. Armstrong is gone. Terrell Newby is gone. Westerkamp is gone. But, they are Nebraska and seem to figure it out relatively quick. If we played them earlier in the season, I would almost give us a win. I do think we keep it close, but ultimately, they have more depth than we will have and beat us. Loss - 27-21

Vs. Illinois Fighting Illini, November 4th, Ross-Ade Stadium

2016 Record: 3-9

Impact Players Returning: Kendrick Foster (RB), Malik Turner (WR)

Outcome: It seems like we always beat them. As this was literally the only B1G team Hazell could beat. I don’t know why I have us continuing to win, but I am going to roll with another W. Coach Brohm will continue the tradition of beating Illinois and Lovie Smith’s seat will get hotter and hotter. Win - 38-28

@ Northwestern Wildcats, November 11th, Ryan Field

2016 Record: 7-6

Impact Players Returning: Clayton Thorson (QB), Justin Jackson (RB), Flynn Nagel (WR), Godwin Igwebuike (S)

Outcome: Justin Jackson is probably the best returning running back in the B1G, that we will play. He is FINALLY a senior. Igwebuike is returning and had over 100 combined tackles last year. He was really good as a box safety. Justin Jackson will probably run through us, around us and rack up a ton of yards. Loss - 27-13

@ Iowa Hawkeyes, November 18th, Kinnick Stadium

2016 Record: 8-5

Impact Players Returning: Akrum Wadley (RB), Matt Vandeberg (WR)

Outcome: Wadley is the 3rd best back in the B1G behind Jackson and Barkley. He is great in their traditional I formation, but he also catches a lot of passes for them. He had over 300 yards receiving this past season. Wadley and their offensive line will do as they please to our DL. They have turnover at QB, which gives me a small glimmer of hope. Loss - 31-17

Vs. Indiana Hoosiers, November 25th, Ross-Ade Stadium(FINALLY)

2016 Record: 6-7

Impact Players Returning: Richard Lagow (QB), Nick Westbrook (WR), Simmie Cobbs (WR), Tegray Scales (LB)

Outcome: If the secondary doesn’t get better by this game they could open up an airport in the middle of Ross-Ade. But, I do think it will get better by this week some good coaching. They lost Redding and do not have a real returner at running back, so for the first time in years, they won’t have a really good running back. Scales is a really good LB, but they don’t have much outside of that. With a new head coach with no college head coaching experience, I do think they could be in for a roller coaster year. I like David Blough & Co, to light them up in a high scoring game. We drop a 50 spot. Win - 52 - 38

So, somehow I talked myself into a 6-6 and record. I told you I was optimistic. Obviously, things can swing either direction. But, We will be better than we were last year. If we go 6-6, I will travel to wherever our bowl game would be hosted.

I am looking forward to the season!