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Purdue football: 3 reasons the Boilermakers will be back in 2022

By Christopher Mangum

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Broc Thompson #29 of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates a touchdown reception against the Tennessee Volunteers during the fourth quarter of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Purdue defeats Tennessee 48-45 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 30: Broc Thompson #29 of the Purdue Boilermakers celebrates a touchdown reception against the Tennessee Volunteers during the fourth quarter of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Purdue defeats Tennessee 48-45 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: Broc Thompson #29 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs with a touchdown reception against the Tennessee Volunteers during the fourth quarter of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Purdue defeats Tennessee 48-45 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: Broc Thompson #29 of the Purdue Boilermakers runs with a touchdown reception against the Tennessee Volunteers during the fourth quarter of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Purdue defeats Tennessee 48-45 in overtime. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

1. Purdue’s 2022 schedule is in its favor

Purdue will face Penn State on a Thursday night in West Lafayette to open the season. Though Penn State is loaded with talent, the Nittany Lions are led by head coach James Franklin who has an 11-11 record over the past two seasons. Purdue has a real chance to knock off the Nittany Lions in Week 1 at home if they can take advantage of Penn State’s many weaknesses.

If the Boilermakers can pull it off, there is a good chance Purdue will start 4-0.

Purdue’s 2022 non-conference schedule will include Indiana State, Syracuse, and Florida Atlantic. If the Boilermakers escape this four-game stretch (including Penn State) 3-1 or better, they have a great chance to finish the season with at least eight wins.

Purdue’s conference schedule looks tough, but it may not be as menacing as it appears. The Big Ten’s three best teams in 2021 were Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State in that order. The Boilermakers will face none of these teams in 2022.

Instead, Purdue’s most challenging games will come against the following teams:

  • Sept. 1: Penn State (7-6 in 2021)
  • Oct. 22: at Wisconsin (9-4 in 2021)
  • Nov. 5: Iowa (10-4 in 2021)

All three of these games are winnable; however, there is a chance that Purdue will lose all three. Nebraska is the biggest threat to the Boilermakers’ season outside of the three games listed above.

The Huskers went 3-9 in 2021 and have not had a season better than 5-7 under current head coach Scott Frost; in Frost’s fourth season at the helm, Nebraska compiled a 3-9 record and placed last in the Big Ten in recruiting.

If the Boilermakers do start 3-1 or better, they will only need to beat Illinois, Maryland, Indiana, and Northwestern to get to 7-5 on the season, which looks like a very achievable goal for Purdue heading into next season.

If the Boilermakers can pull off an upset, something they’re known for, against one of the following teams, fans should expect at least eight wins:

  • Penn State
  • Wisconsin
  • Nebraska
  • Iowa

Though Purdue will face adversity throughout the 2022 season, there is a genuine chance that the Boilermakers will once again win eight or more games.

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