The Boilermakers surprised the entire B1G last year when they beat Ohio State at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue went on to have a 6-7 season, losing in the Music City Bowl to Auburn, their second bowl game in a row. In the eyes of Purdue fans, it was a very successful season, in which, the Boilermakers were able to stay competitive with most teams on the schedule. Jeff Brohm has turned this team around going .500 in the last 2 seasons and being bowl eligible both times. Louisville almost poached Brohm away from Purdue, but Brohm ended up signing a $36.8 million deal to stay as the head coach for 7 more years.
By The Numbers
Coach: Jeff Brohm – Year: 3, Record: 13-13, Bowl Wins: 1
2018 Record: 6-7 (5-4 Big Ten)
Key Player: WR Rondale Moore
2018 Offensive Production: Rushing Offense – 105th, Passing Offense – 11th, 30.5 ppg – 52nd
2018 Defensive Production: Rushing Defense – 71st, Passing Defense – 128th, 30.0 ppg allowed – 80th
Turnover Margin: -0.38, 14 Gained, 19 Lost
Sacks: 1.92 Sacks per game
Long Scrimmage Plays >20 yards: 68, 43rd
Opponent Long Scrimmage Plays >20 yards: 67, 95th
2019 Offense
In 2018, as a freshman, Rondale Moore set the college world on fire, from the first game, Moore let his presence be known to the college football world.
Clearly in 2018, Moore will be the main feature on Purdue’s offense. Much of Moore’s freshman year success was in the hands of graduated QB David Blough, who threw for over 3,700 yards in 2018. Senior QB Elijah Sindelar looks to be Blough’s replacement, passing for 2100 yards and 18 TD’s in 2017, when he started above Blough.
Outside of Moore and Sindelar, Purdue will have an entirely new starting offense. The Boilermakers lost 3 linemen, 2 starting receivers and their best running back. Purdue will need to be able to effectively replace lost talent if they want to compete once again and make coach Brohm’s new deal worth it.
2019 Defense
Purdue’s defense was all over the place last year. They held #2 Ohio State to 20 points, but allowed Minnesota to score 41 and lost to MAC opponent Eastern Michigan 19-20. However, unlike the offense, Purdue will return all of its defense with RS Juniors and Seniors starting across the board. This group has been through the B1G and that experience will show. In 2017, with a veteran unit under 1st year DC Nick Holt, Purdue had a 24th ranked scoring defense. This year’s veteran defense has ran the same scheme under Holt for 3 years and should shine every Saturday this fall.
2019 Prediction
Purdue has the luck of the draw this year, thanks to their protected game with Indiana. The Boilermakers don’t play Ohio State, Michigan or Michigan State this year. However, 4 of the Boilermaker’s 5 toughest games, against TCU at home, then Penn State, Iowa, Northwestern, and Wisconsin, are away from Ross-Ade stadium. If the defense can cover for a young offense, Purdue should be able to win a few games and maybe get ranked. But, we all know that better teams will know to double-team Rondale Moore and really attack the young offensive line. Purdue is getting better each year and has shown better production in 2 years under Jeff Brohm than similar rebuilds at Illinois under Lovie Smith and at Rutgers under Chris Ash, but don’t expect a B1G championship just yet. Another 6-6 or 7-5 season with a bowl win shouldn’t be out of the question for the Boilers.
College Football - Big Ten | The Final Snap 