Purdue Football: Boilermakers’ 2018 season preview, prediction

Schedule and predictions

This is a massive year for both Purdue and Jeff Brohm. Purdue has a chance to prove that their program is on the rise, and not just a flash in the pan, while Brohm can establish himself as one of the smartest coaches in football.

If the offense performs up to its potential, this team will do some serious damage in the Big Ten West. The quarterback play will be huge, no matter who the starter is, and with an experienced line, four solid backs, and playmakers at receiver, there’s no excuse for this being anything but a top 30 offense.

The defense will have serious growing pains, but if Thieneman, Neal, Higgins, Barnes, Bailey, Simmons and Mosely are all very solid, the defense should be okay against most of their opponents.

Prediction: 8-4

Eastern Michigan and Boston College should be winnable in the non-conference, and Drew Lock and Missouri will be a great test for this defense. If they don’t slip up against Nebraska, Illinois or Northwestern, Purdue could very easily be 5-1 headed into a vicious stretch of Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Winning three of those five (Iowa, Minnesota and an upset), 8-3 is a great place to be headed into rivalry week against Indiana.

I think Purdue will be better than Indiana, and unless Wisconsin is great, which they very well could be, 9-3, and 7-2 in the Big Ten should be more than enough to contend for a conference championship appearance. Will it happen? Probably not. Is it possible? Absolutely.

Next: Way-too-early 2019 NFL Mock Draft

While I think Purdue will likely drop one that they probably shouldn’t, like Nebraska, Iowa or Minnesota, it should still be a very entertaining season. Things are looking up in West Lafayette.