Updated ESPN FPI Predictions for Remaining Games:

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Purdue @ Rutgers: Purdue a 63% favorite to win
Nebraska @ Purdue: Purdue a 61.6% favorite to win
Illinois @ Purdue: Purdue an 88.1% favorite to win
Purdue @ Northwestern: Northwestern a 70.3% favorite to win
Purdue @ Iowa: Iowa a 76.5% favorite to win
Purdue vs. Indiana: Indiana a 51.5% favorite to win

It has been very nice to see these odds continue to improve every single week but I believe this next game @ Rutgers is going to be telling about how the rest of the season will go. Purdue's expectations have been raised with very good overall showings against the 3 best teams on their schedule (average loss of 11 points...biggest being 18 to UM) and going to Rutgers and putting the hammer down will go a very long way in the next two games where they are favored according to FPI. I would be incredibly happy to see Purdue sow up bowl eligibility in the next 3 weeks with chances to upset Iowa and Northwestern before the Bucket showdown. Very real chance for Purdue to finish at 7 wins if the offense can get back up to speed with hopefully some defenses more along the likes that Purdue can compete or dominate against.

 

[Wolegib]

I actually like our chances against Northwestern more than against Nebraska. Nebraska's defense was picked apart by OSU's QB. We really don't have a QB that can do that. Nebraska has 5 games left to win three and their last two games are against Iowa and Penn St. They have a bye this week, so two weeks to heal and prepare for Purdue. in order to make a bowl game, they will be pointing to Purdue, Minn and NW as MUST wins.

and no way will Purdue lose to IU.

 

[TC4THREE]

Everything looks a ton different if we lose at Rutgers.

 

[rgarlitz]

It will be interesting to see how Nebraska responds to its last two games.

But, yes, there's a difference between facing Ohio State's offense and Purdue's.

FWIW, Purdue actually did better against Wisconsin's running game than did Nebraska.

 

[Purdue0034]

I think the key to getting to a bowl game, may very well depend on if we win at Rutgers this weekend. If we do, I think we will have some momentum that will help us win some other close games. Lose at Rutgers and we will be in for an uphill battle to get to 6 wins. If things go reasonably well, I think we can finish 7 and 5. 8 and 4 would be fantastic, just not sure we can get there. Very happy to see the fight we gave Wisconsin. I think our offense will do a lot better in the coming weeks against weaker defenses. Any word on Fuller's return? I thought Knox and Jones did pretty well, but it would be nice to have another weapon in the backfield.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

I think the key to getting to a bowl game, may very well depend on if we win at Rutgers this weekend. If we do, I think we will have some momentum that will help us win some other close games. Lose at Rutgers and we will be in for an uphill battle to get to 6 wins. If things go reasonably well, I think we can finish 7 and 5. 8 and 4 would be fantastic, just not sure we can get there. Very happy to see the fight we gave Wisconsin. I think our offense will do a lot better in the coming weeks against weaker defenses. Any word on Fuller's return? I thought Knox and Jones did pretty well, but it would be nice to have another weapon in the backfield.

I think Rutgers winning this past weekend helps us as it quenches a bit of their thirst for a victory in conference.

 

[FirstDownB]

Here's how I view the remaining schedule:

Win at least 1 of the next 2: @Rutgers, Nebraska
Beat Illinois
Win at least 1 of the final 3: @NW, @Iowa, IU

Boom. Bowl game.