Big Ten Football - 2021 Purdue Boilermakers Preview

Our Purdue Boilermakers preview 2021 sees this team as once again struggling to post a winning record. Last season, the Boilermakers finished sixth in the West with a 2-4 record. In the past five seasons, their best regular-season record came to 6-6. They achieved that mark in 2017 and 2018. Both seasons, they went to a bowl game. Over the last two seasons, Purdue has won six and lost 12. In 2020, the Boilermakers averaged 27.2 PPG on offense and allowed 29.8 PPG on defense. 

Purdue Offense

On offense last season, Purdue topped the conference in passing yards with 309.0 per game, while they were last in rushing yards with 81.5 per game. Sophomore quarterback Jake Plummer returns after completing 71.0 percent of his passes for 938 yards. He tossed eight TD passes and two picks. Last year, Aidan O’Connell, now a senior, split the signal-calling duties with Plummer. He completed 64.7 of his passes for 916 yards. O’Connell recorded seven scoring passes while throwing two picks. There are others in this QB competition which Plummer is expected to win. 

Whoever is throwing the ball, you can expect former Big Ten Freshman of the Year David Bell to be his primary target. Last season, wideout Bell caught 52 passes for 625 yards and eight scores. WR Milton Wright, who caught 24 passes and scored twice, also returns. Last season, running back Zander Horvath rushed for 442 yards and averaged 5.0 YPA, scoring twice. He’s an essential part of this offense. The O-line includes senior center Sam Garvin and two other players with starting experience. This unit possesses talent and potential but will need to come together as less experienced players work their way in. 

Purdue Boilermakers Preview 2021 - Defense

Seven starters return on defense. On the edges, George Karlaftis and DeMarcus Mitchell are projected to be a potent duo. Last season, Mitchell recorded five TFL and two PBU. Karlaftis could enjoy a breakout season this year. This is the best part of the Purdue defense. 

Sophomore transfer OC Brothers, who last season was with Auburn, joins an experienced linebacking unit which he’s expected to upgrade. Senior ILB Jaylan Alexander is the returning top tackler with 49. Starting corners Cory Trice and Dedrick Mackey have plenty of experience, while free safety Cam Allen, a junior who led the team in picks last season with two, is sound. 

Specialists

There’s competition for the placekicker and punter positions. Freshman Edward Dellinger, whose brother J.D. served as placekicker for the Boilermakers, is the main candidate for that spot. Our Purdue Boilermakers preview 2021 finds that 23-year-old Australian Jack Ansell, a freshman, is the top consideration for punter. Wide receiver T.J. Sheffield will return both kickoffs and punts. Overall, the Boilermaker special teams need to show improvement in 2021. 

Purdue Boilermakers Preview 2021 - Projection

In 2020, the Boilermakers started the season with two wins and then lost the remaining four contests. Our Purdue Boilermakers preview 2021 anticipates this team struggling right out of the gate, as they open at home against Oregon State and then are on the road at Connecticut and Notre Dame. Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Northwestern are also on the docket. 

Big Ten Football - Purdue Boilermakers 2021 - Predictions:

• Sixth Place - Big Ten West

• No Bowl Berth