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Purdue Boilermakers: Big Ten West
Purdue enters the 2021-2022 season as perhaps the most underrated team in the Big Ten conference.
The Boilermakers are entering the season with multiple options at the quarterback position. Jack Plummer and Aidan O'Connell both performed well above expectations in 2019 and 2020. Purdue lost its top talent on offense when Rondale Moore left for the NFL, which could be a reason for them being underrated. With decent talent to cover for Moore, Purdue should hold its own.
There are many positives for the Purdue Boilermakers heading into the upcoming season. Here's a quick look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Boilermakers.
2021-2022 Big Ten West Conference preview: Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue's strengths: The Boilermakers are highly underrated on offense heading into the 2021 season. Purdue has the second-best receiving group in the Big Ten even after losing Rondale Moore. Their offensive rankings are not a sign of a lack of talent by any means. The Boilermakers will have success moving the football in 2021.
Purdue's weaknesses: Purdue's three weakest spots are in critical positions. The Boilermakers are 13th in the Big Ten in secondary play, 10th in offensive line play, and ninth in the Big Ten in defensive line play. With loads of talent at wide receiver and running back, it could make for a long year defensively for Purdue.
Purdue Boilermakers key players: Offense
WR: David Bell - Bell enters his junior season as the Boilermakers' expansive receiver room leader. The junior wideout was on pace to break his freshman year receiving yards total before the 2020 season was cut short. In his previous two seasons at Purdue, David Bell has caught 139 passes for 1,660 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
WR: Milton Wright: Wright may not be as productive as David Bell, but he still holds his own on the field. The junior wideout caught 42 passes for 593 receiving yards and three touchdowns last year. Milton Wright did improve from 2019 and 2020 by playing four fewer games.
Purdue Boilermakers key players: Defense
Edge: George Karlaftis - Purdue's defensive front will give Big Ten quarterbacks problems in 2021. Karlaftis will be one of the main reasons for this with his excellent pass rush. The junior edge rusher enters the 2021 season with 33 solo tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks.
CB: Cory Trice - Trice played both corner and safety for the Purdue Boilermakers defense. The majority of his success over the last three years has been from safety. Cory Trice has recorded 58 solo tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions and one touchdown.
2021-2022 Purdue Boilermakers schedule
Week 1: Saturday, September 4 vs. Oregon State Beavers
Week 2: Saturday, September 11 at Connecticut Huskies
Week 3: Saturday, September 18 at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Week 4: Saturday, September 25 vs. Illinois Fighting Illini
Week 5: Saturday, October 2 vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Week 6: Saturday, October 16 at Iowa Hawkeyes
Week 7: Saturday, October 23 vs. Wisconsin Badgers
Week 8: Saturday, October 30 at Nebraska Cornhuskers
Week 9: Saturday, November 6 vs. Michigan State Spartans
Week 10: Saturday, November 13 at Ohio State Buckeyes
Week 11: Saturday, November 20 vs. Northwestern Wildcats
Week 12: Saturday, November 27 vs. Indiana Hoosiers
2021-2022 Purdue Boilermakers prediction (3-9 overall, 1-8 Big Ten)
Purdue will find success, but their defense will let them down more than pick them up in the end. The Boilermakers play a demanding schedule in the Big Ten and outside the Big Ten conference. Their lone victory in the Big Ten will come against Illinois.
