Good reading this am...
2015 should be another year of improvement..schedule tough. I think all Non-Conf games are within reach however...2016 feels like a 7-8 game winner maybe...
For my money, we are going bowling. Marshall is a big part of that picture however...
10. The wrong schedule for a breakthrough
While a Todd Berry-esque "leap" might not be in the cards, I do expect Purdue to improve again. The depth and experience are stronger, and while there are plenty of question marks -- quarterback, turnovers, defensive end, safety -- there are fewer. Hazell is building slowly, and another year of growth could set the table for 2016.
Even with a decent leap, Purdue might come up short in bowl pursuit, as this schedule is a doozy. The Boilermakers play six teams that ranked 37th or better in F/+ last year and only two that ranked 90th or worse. There are four more in the No. 60-90 range, and last year's four weakest teams all come to West Lafayette, so if the Boilers execute well in close games (or just get lucky), perhaps they could eek out six wins.
Odds are good that they will improve into the 60s or so but finish around 4-8 or 5-7.
Still, that's improvement. When you bottom out like Purdue did, it's hard to see anything bright, but 2014 proved Hazell has a chance to succeed. Improvement with a team full of sophomores and juniors could mean exciting things for a 2016 team loaded with juniors and seniors
2015 should be another year of improvement..schedule tough. I think all Non-Conf games are within reach however...2016 feels like a 7-8 game winner maybe...
For my money, we are going bowling. Marshall is a big part of that picture however...
10. The wrong schedule for a breakthrough
While a Todd Berry-esque "leap" might not be in the cards, I do expect Purdue to improve again. The depth and experience are stronger, and while there are plenty of question marks -- quarterback, turnovers, defensive end, safety -- there are fewer. Hazell is building slowly, and another year of growth could set the table for 2016.
Even with a decent leap, Purdue might come up short in bowl pursuit, as this schedule is a doozy. The Boilermakers play six teams that ranked 37th or better in F/+ last year and only two that ranked 90th or worse. There are four more in the No. 60-90 range, and last year's four weakest teams all come to West Lafayette, so if the Boilers execute well in close games (or just get lucky), perhaps they could eek out six wins.
Odds are good that they will improve into the 60s or so but finish around 4-8 or 5-7.
Still, that's improvement. When you bottom out like Purdue did, it's hard to see anything bright, but 2014 proved Hazell has a chance to succeed. Improvement with a team full of sophomores and juniors could mean exciting things for a 2016 team loaded with juniors and seniors
