2016-17 Football Previews – (Big Ten) – Boilermakers
Looking for 2016 Purdue Boilermakers predictions? The Boilermakers have unfortunately grown comfortable residing in the Big Ten Conference’s basement; despite being better in 2016, the schedule gods may keep them there yet again.
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2016-17 College Football Preview – Purdue Boilermakers
Head Coach: Darrell Hazell
2015 Record: 2-10
Purdue Boilermakers Odds to Win 2017 FBS Championship: +50000
Purdue Big 10 Conference Title Odds: +10000
Win Total: 4.5 (Over -110 / Under -110)
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Purdue has only four conference home games, all against Big Ten powers.
The winnable games for this team are almost all on the road. Last year’s 2-10 record did nothing to inspire confidence in fourth-year head coach Darrell Hazell.
2016 Purdue Boilermakers Predictions: Team Strengths
Purdue features 16 returning starters, which is the most in the Big Ten and #11th overall in the FBS.
There is plenty of experience up and down the roster, which means Purdue fans should see some tidier football without so many mental errors.
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The offense and defense features some notable players, such as DT Jake Replogle, big LB Ja’Whaun Bentley (6″2, 250 lbs), RB Markell Jones and OG Jason King.
Jones had a solid season last year running the ball; he racked up 875 yards, 10 TDs and a respectable 5.2 yards per carry as a true freshman.
The Boilers will need plenty out of Jones again if Purdue is to have a successful attack.
Sophomore punter Joe Schopper was one of the premier players at his position in the state of Indiana, and he backed that up last year with a 40.2 yard average. Sadly, he may be getting more work than he’d like in 2016.
2016 Purdue Boilermakers Predictions: Team Weaknesses
In a phrase, the Boilermakers do not have a comparable talent level to most other programs in the Big Ten.
Consequently, it has been tough sledding for some time in West Lafayette. Purdue’s last bowl was in 2012, when it got whipped by Oklahoma State 58-14 in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.
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Purdue is only 2-22 in Big Ten play under Coach Hazell.
Thus, he can expect himself on the hot seat if the Boilers don’t see some improvement soon.
Sophomore starting QB David Blough only had 1,574 pass yards a year ago, to go with a 10-8 TD/INT ratio.
His competition last year, Austin Appleby, graduated and then transferred to Florida. Wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey has good size (6″2, 216 lbs) and the potential for the big play, but there aren’t many options for Blough aside from Yancey.
The two pass rushing threats, if you can call them that, ends Evan Panfil and Antoine Miles, only had four sacks apiece, so they’ll need to boost their production in order to be dynamic.
Purdue Boilermakers 2016 Prediction: 3-9
Purdue is experienced and probably better overall this year, but the schedule just doesn’t line up very well for them.
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Purdue hosts Iowa, Penn State and Wisconsin this year with a big glut of road games as well. Also, Purdue has its bye week early in the regular season, which won’t do it any favors.
Optimistically, the non-conference schedule is not too bad, with Eastern Kentucky, Cincinnati and Nevada on the slate.
It is here where I expect Purdue to make some hay, but it likely won’t be enough to save Hazell’s job or turn around this moribund Big Ten team.
2016 Purdue Boilermakers Football Schedule
- 09/03/2016 vs. Eastern Kentucky Noon
- 09/10/2016 vs. Cincinnati Noon
- 09/17/2016 BYE
- 09/24/2016 vs. Nevada TBA
- 10/01/2016 at Maryland 3:30 pm
- 10/08/2016 at Illinois TBA
- 10/15/2016 vs. Iowa Noon
- 10/22/2016 at Nebraska TBA
- 10/29/2016 vs. Penn State TBA
- 11/05/2016 at Minnesota TBA
- 11/12/2016 vs. Northwestern TBA
- 11/19/2016 vs. Wisconsin TBA
- 11/26/2016 at Indiana TBA
What do you think about our 2016 Purdue Boilermakers predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2016!
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