2. The Boilermakers are getting better on defense
It is no secret that the Boilermakers have been bottom dwellers in the Big Ten for quite some time and that any team that sees them on their schedule can look forward to high offensive numbers and a lot of points scored.
Last year, the Boilermakers were last in scoring defense in the conference and second to last in total defense, only in front of Rutgers. During their 2016 season, Purdue allowed 445 years per game and an abysmal 38 points per contest.
Looking at their four games in 2017, the Boilermakers have played exceptional opponents thus far and have had their defense step up in big ways. While the team is still giving up the yards, they are limiting the big play and coming up with big stops when needed.
Sitting at 2-2 on the young season, the Boilermakers sit ninth in the conference in points allowed and tenth in total defense- a big improvement than last year’s mark. Not to mention, the team has faced some highly ranked opponents in Michigan and Louisville, as well as a team in Missouri that put up over 70 points in their Week 1 game. Purdue held Missouri to just seven points in their matchup.
There is no telling as to how the Boilermakers will finish the rest of the year or if their defense will keep up the intensity or regress to last season’s mean. One thing we do know for sure is that there will be no surprises if the Boilermakers pull off an upset or two in the Big Ten.