The Purdue Boilermakers are in the middle of a shake-up heading into 2023. Purdue has a first year head coach in Ryan Walters, who last season was the Illinois defensive coordinator. Last year, this team played in the Big Ten Championship game. This year, they have a new head coach and a new offensive coordinator (Graham Harrell). Can they get back to the Big Ten title game in 2023?
Offense
If you know the name Graham Harrell, you know just how good of an offensive mind he is. He will bring an air raid offense that could flourish in the Big Ten in 2023. The Boilermakers lost Aidan O’Connell, who was drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Raiders in the fourth round. Purdue brought in Hudson Card from Texas who appeared in 12 games last season and threw for 928 passing yards to go along with 6 touchdowns and 1 interception. The Boilermakers lost their two top receivers from a season ago, which means their third leading receiver TJ Sheffield is due for a bigger role in 2023. Another target to look for was Florida Atlantic transfer Jahmal Edrine who had 570 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns for the Owls. This Purdue offense needs a receiver or two to step up in 2023.
In the running game, they are led by redshirt sophomore running back Devin Mockobee who led the team in rushing last season. He rushed for 968 rushing yards to go along with 5 yards per carry and 9 touchdowns. They also moved Tyrone Tracy Jr. from wide receiver to running back, which gives the Boilermakers speed and a pass-catcher out of the backfield. The good news for Purdue is that they brought back three offensive line starters from last year. The big name returning is left tackle Mahamane Moussa. This Purdue offense has the potential to be good in 2023, but we will see how it goes.
Defense
Ryan Walters did wonders last year at Illinois with his defensive play calling. This year he is changing Purdue’s defense to a 3-4 look. A couple transfers came in to bolster the defensive line in defensive ends Jeffrey M’Ba (Auburn) and Malik Langham (Vanderbilt). These two come in to help this defensive line unit. At the linebacker position, Purdue is led by Kydran Jenkins. Jenkins led the team in tackles for a loss last season and will look to take those numbers up to another level in 2023. Other names to look out for is one of the best names in all of college football; OC Brothers. Clyde Washington will also be big time factors in this Boilermakers defense.
In the secondary, they are led by returning safety Cam Allen who had three interceptions and two fumble recoveries. They also have Sanoussi Kane who led the team in tackles and added 4.5 tackles for a loss as well. Purdue also brought in two transfers in the secondary position that will be starters in 2023. Salim Turner-Muhammad (Stanford) and Marquis Wilson (Penn State) are coming in to help fill the void that Cory Trice left when he went to the NFL. This secondary is going to have their hands full in 2023, but they can hang with some of these talented receivers that the Big Ten has to offer.
Win Total Bet
The Purdue win total is set at 5.5 on the FanDuel Sportsbook, with the odds on the over set at +118 and the under set at -144. Purdue has a ton of questions that need to be answered. First year head coach Ryan Walters will have some growing pains to go through. However, I think this team is going to be in the majority of their games in 2023. I just see this team losing more of those close games than winning. Purdue stays just under the 5.5 win mark, I think they get to five wins at most in 2023. Stay away from the under as the odds are too high for my blood.
Schedule Predictions
Win vs Fresno State (1-0)
Win at Virginia Tech (2-0)
Good Win vs Syracuse (3-0)
Loss vs Wisconsin (3-1)
Win vs Illinois (4-1)
Loss at Iowa (4-2)
Blowout Loss vs Ohio State (4-3)
Loss at Nebraska (4-4)
Loss at Michigan (4-5)
Tough Loss vs Minnesota (4-6)
Win at Northwestern (5-6)
Loss vs Indiana (5-7)