ESPN’s FPI predicts every game on Purdue’s 2021 schedule

The Jeff Brohm era got off to a strong start at Purdue, but the program has struggled the past two seasons. The Boilers are hoping to change that.

After attending bowl games in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018, Purdue has posted losing seasons in 2019 and 2020, posting a combined 6-12 record in that span. There’s a lot of pressure on Brohm to get his team back to the postseason this fall.

Will it happen?

Per ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI), there’s a real shot the Boilermakers are bowling again in 2021. Based on the network’s FPI formula, Purdue is expected to hover around the .500 mark in Brohm’s fifth season.

Here’s a look at how the FPI predicts every game on Purdue’s schedule:

• Sept. 4: vs. Oregon State — 80.3% (W)
• Sept. 11: at UConn — 94.5% (W)
• Sept. 18: at Notre Dame — 14.1% (L)
• Sept. 25: vs. Illinois — 77.9% (W)
• Oct. 2: vs. Minnesota — 60.5% (W)
• Oct. 16: at Iowa — 30.5% (L)
• Oct. 23: vs. Wisconsin — 36.4% (L)
• Oct. 30: at Nebraska — 37.5% (L)
• Nov. 6: vs. Michigan State — 55.8% (W)
• Nov. 13: at Ohio State — 6.9% (L)
• Nov. 20: vs. Northwestern — 39.6% (L)
• Nov. 27: vs. Indiana — 44.6% (L)

From a traditional perspective, Purdue is projected to finish with a 5-7 record. However, ESPN’s formula in the FPI has the Boilermakers listed with a 5.8-6.3 mark, hovering right around that 6-6 area.

It should be interesting to keep an eye on the Boilers this fall.

Dustin Schutte

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB