Where Purdue football ranks in preseason Big Ten poll, and which Boilermaker made list

INDIANAPOLIS — Purdue football will try to surprise the rest of the Big Ten this fall.

Optimism is high in West Lafayette for coach Ryan Walters’ second season after several promising transfer portal additions. Across the rest of the league, however, expectations are not as high. The Boilermakers were ranked 18th out of 18 teams in the preseason USA TODAY Network Big Ten football media poll.

Ohio State received eight of 13 first-place votes as the preseason No. 1 team. No. 2 Oregon received the other five first-place votes. Defending national champion Michigan and Penn State tied for third.

More: 2024 Preseason All-Big Ten football team, top player, coach

Purdue finished behind Illinois, Indiana and Northwestern at the bottom of the poll.

Purdue football finished last out of 18 teams in the 2024 USA Today Network Preseason Big Ten Football Poll. The Boilermakers enter their second season under coach Ryan Walters.

Only one Boilermaker made the 22-man preseason All-Big Ten team. Sophomore safety Dillon Thieneman claimed one of the four defensive back spots coming off a six-interception debut season.

Why so low on the Boilermakers?

Purdue finished 4-8 last season, including 3-6 in Big Ten games. The schedule looks even tougher this season, with some ranking it among the most challenging in the country. Aside from nonconference games against Notre Dame and at Oregon State, the Boilermakers play three of the top four teams in this preseason poll: Oregon and Penn State at home and Ohio State on the road.

Second team All-Big Ten edge rusher Nic Scourton transferred to Texas A&M. Leading receiver Deion Burks transferred to Oklahoma. While Purdue added several intriguing players through the portal — such as former Georgia cornerback Nyland Green and former Bulldog receivers De’Nylon Morrissette and CJ Smith — none carried the…

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Author : IndyStar | The Indianapolis Star

Publish date : 2024-07-22 11:29:48

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