2007 Purdue Boilermakers College Football Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Purdue Boilermaker football fans have big reason to keep their heads up heading into the 2007 season. Head coach Joe Tiller and company return 20 starters and have high hopes of improving on their solid 5-3 record in the Big Ten Conference last season. Their team is stocked with very good skill position players, so the Boilermakers should be an enjoyment to watch and better than a year ago.

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Purdue should pick up where it left off last season, averaging 415 yards per game and finishing 13th in the nation in total offense. The quarterback position continues to be the cornerstone for the Boilermakers. Curtis Painter broke former Purdue All-American Drew Brees’ Big Ten single-season record when he passed for 3,985 yards. Purdue has plenty of talented receivers, including Doren Bryant who led the Big Ten with 87 catches for 1,068 yards. Greg Orton had 58 receptions for 771 yards and tight end Dustin Keller returns after hauling in 56 passes for 771 yards as well. Purdue will have no problem scoring points.

Kory Sheets and junior college transfer Jaycen Taylor should be a potent tandem in the backfield. Sheets rushed 158 times for 780 yards and Taylor carried 113 times for 677 yards. Purdue returns the whole right side of their line plus center Robbie Powell. The only two starters not returning are on the left side. If two replacements can step in and give Painter time in the pocket, this team will put up even better numbers than in 2006.

On defense, the Boilermakers’ main goal is replacing All-Big Ten end Anthony Spencer and it won’t be easy. The other front four appears to have talent and depth, led by Cliff Avril, who made a great transition from linebacker last season. Starters Dan Bick and Stanford Keglar return at linebacker, but depth is a big concern in this position. Converted running back Anthony Heygood had a good spring and appears to have nailed down the other outside backer spot.

In the secondary they return all four starters that were brand new to the program a year ago. They definitely should make huge strides this season with a year of experience in Big Ten football under their belt. They have several reserves that saw playing time in the secondary last season and will be chomping at the bit to get on the field again. Depth is not a problem in the secondary.

Purdue took a small step forward last season with an 8-6 record and another bid to a mid-level bowl game, but none of their victories came against a winning team. Joe Tiller challenged his player to get bigger and faster in the weight room to become more of a physical football team. In Big Ten football, being physical means everything. With nine starters returning on offense and defense, the season looks very promising for Boilermaker fans. The only downside; Michigan and Ohio State return to the schedule. If they can steal one of those games, Purdue will be near the top of the Big Ten conference in 2007.

Odds to Win BCS:
Sportsbook:  200-1 (Field Bet)
Bodog:          250-1

Odds to Win Big 10:
BetUS:         +750

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