Vegas Big Ten Predictions
Western Michigan at Purdue
Line: Purdue by 10.5
Betsided
The Purdue Boilermakers had better turn it around in Darrell Hazell’s second year after a disastrous 1-11 inaugural season for him. Hazell turned to a lot of young, not highly recruited, inexperienced talent, and it cost him dearly. Boilermakers fans are expecting a much better showing this season, and Western Michigan is a very good opening game for the team to see where it’s at. Can it win the game? By how much? How will it look in doing so? A bowl is out of the question, but the schedule sets up nicely for a 4-8 season by Purdue and significant signs of improvement. For that to happen, they’ll have to get a win Saturday.
Western Michigan is a program building the same way that Purdue is on a smaller scale. With nothing but young and inexperienced players last year, the Broncos stumbled to a 1-11 season themselves. The same expectations for the team to turn it around this year are those facing Purdue, so this game will be a battle for both teams to get a measuring stick on how much better they are this year.
Prediction
Hazell’s ball-control, conservative offense will allow him to double his win total so far at Purdue. The Broncos will be close with the Boilermakers until halftime, but Purdue will pull away in the second half with a couple of big plays and complete control of the clock.
Purdue: 31 Western Michigan: 13