A one-win team in the top five in the Big Ten? Absolutely! Purdue actually has played a tough schedule and just notched a win over a ranked opponent. That’s not something any team behind the Boilermakers can say right now. Mix in one of the most exciting players in the country and Purdue might be back on track.
Purdue started the season at home with a tough loss to Northwestern, which doesn’t look great. Had it won that game Purdue could be seen in a completely different light right now. The Boilermakers followed up that loss with another loss at home to Eastern Michigan. That’s inexcusable.
Following the 0-2 start, Purdue got Missouri at home and lost by three points. An admirable effort against an NFL quarterback and one of the best offenses in the country. Staring 0-4 in the face Jeff Brohm rallied his men and pulled off the upset over No. 23 Boston College and Heisman hopeful A.J. Dillon, who was held to 59 yards on 19 carries.
The star of the show for Purdue is true freshman Rondale Moore. He’s been the star for a while now actually. Moore is the kind of talent the Purdue’s of the world don’t have the fortune of recruiting. Brohm was able to snag the four-star talent out of Kentucky, a state Brohm previously coached in, and won his services over Tom Herman and the Texas Longhorns.
Purdue goes to Nebraska and Illinois in its next two before hosting Ohio State and then traveling to Michigan State. A 3-1 record in those four games would launch Purdue into the national spotlight. Purdue plays Ohio State pretty well considering the talent disparity. It could be a trap game for the Buckeyes.