It’s a fresh start in West Lafayette.

Ryan Walters takes over as the head coach; Hudson Card is the new quarterback; Ross-Ade Stadium has an updated look. It’d all combined for an array of intriguing possibilities for the Boilermakers, who are hoping to exceed external expectations in 2023 in their attempt to repeat as Big Ten West champions.

That won’t be an easy task, however, by any means. Purdue might be the reigning champ, but it’ll look very different than the group from a year ago, when it won 8 regular-season games in Jeff Brohm’s final season before he took off for his alma mater Louisville. A new coach and new coordinators, who are implementing new schemes, bring an element of unpredictability, as does upwards of 40-plus newcomers (transfers and recruited high school prospects).

That said, let’s make 10 bold predictions about Walters’ first Boilermakers team.

First to 1,000 since …

Last season, Devin Mockobee nearly became Purdue’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 2008.

He’ll do it this year. The former walk-on — Walters awarded the Boonville, Ind., native with a scholarship in one of his first acts as Purdue’s boss — didn’t become the Boilermakers’ starter until mid-season in ’22. Yet he rushed for 968 yards, the most-ever by a freshman in program history, with 9 touchdowns. An off-season has done Mockobee wonders, as he’s up to 200 pounds on his 6-foot frame, so he should be able to hold up even better to the week-in, week-out rigors of the Big Ten.

Only 6 Boilermakers have reached the 1,000-yard threshold, the last being Kory Sheets in 2008. But Mockobee will join the group in 2023.

Oh, TDs too for Mockobee

Purdue’s not had a running back with at least 10 touchdowns since Markell Jones hit the number in 2015.

Mockobee very nearly made it to double-figures as a freshman last season, and he’ll hit the mark this season. Look for Mockobee to score a dozen touchdowns, which would tie him for the 7th-best total in Purdue history (tying Mike Alstott from 1993). The best-ever season belongs to Sheets, who had 16 in ’08, and Tony Butkovich, who set the mark in 1943.

Hudson Card shines at QB

Purdue won’t miss a beat at quarterback, even with Aidan O’Connell now in the NFL (and making a name for himself as a Los Vegas Raiders’ rookie).

Hudson Card, a transfer from Texas, is poised to shine as the Boilermakers’ new signal-caller, especially in offensive coordinator Graham Harrell’s “Air Raid” scheme. In fact, Card will be Purdue’s best quarterback since Kyle Orton almost 20 years ago. Walters and Harrell haven’t shied away from calling Card “special,” doing so back in the spring after his transfer from the Longhorns and continuing to do so during camp.

Card is the real deal. He can sling the football like O’Connell, but also has the athleticism to use his legs to turn potential negative plays into positive ones. Other first-year starters are getting the headlines in the B1G — like whoever starts at Ohio State and Drew Allar at Penn State — but Card is also set for a breakout season.

Warning to opposing quarterbacks

Purdue finished a modest 8th in the Big Ten in sacks last season, picking up 28 in 14 games. Not bad. But the Boilermakers can do better, and they will this season.

Unleashed as part of the Walters’ defensive scheme that had incredible success at Illinois — in his last season as defensive coordinator, the Illini allowed only 12.8 points per game, the nation’s best average — Purdue’s outside linebackers will lead an aggressive unit that will pursue opposing quarterbacks at every opportunity. The OLBs, which are frequently asked to play up on the line of scrimmage to give the defense a 5-man front, are arguably the Boilermakers’ best defensive group, led by emerging star Nic Scourton, Khordae Sydnor and Kydran Jenkins.

The trio will combine for 15 sacks, as Purdue will total more than 30, vaulting the Boilermakers into the top 5 in the league.

Warning to Purdue’s quarterbacks

Purdue feels good about its offense at quarterback, running back and tight end. At receiver, the Boilermakers think they’ve got options, like TJ Sheffield, Deion Burks, Mershawn Rice, Elijah Canion and others, but perhaps without an obvious 1-A threat. But it’s at offensive line where the real questions lie for the Boilermakers’ offense.

It’s a rebuilding group. Purdue saw 3 projected starters hit the portal and transfer in the off-season. The Boilermakers remain confident in their top 6 or so, including tackles Mahamane Moussa and Marcus Mbow, but center Gus Hartwig will miss the start of the season as he recovers from a knee injury. And depth, at least known depth, is thin.

The result? Card will be on the defensive too frequently. Purdue gave up 28 sacks last season; the number will hit 30 this year.

More balance

The “Air Raid” offense isn’t particularly known for its focus on running the football.

But this Harrell version will take advantage of the Boilermakers’ area of strength, and that’s Mockobee, along with backup running backs Tyrone Tracy (who was a slot receiver a year ago) and Dylan Downing (who has slimmed down from a year ago). After finishing last in the Big Ten in rushing yardage for 4 straight seasons, Purdue ticked up to No. 8 (11th on a per-game basis) last season, totaling 1,694 yards.

Could a 2,000-yard season be on the horizon?

Not quite, but Purdue will inch close to the total in 2023, putting the Boilermakers close to the top half of the league in rushing.

A resurgence at TE

Tight end Garrett Miller missed all of last season with a knee injury.

But he’ll return — and return big — in 2023, as the tight end will lead the Boilermakers in touchdown receptions, hauling in at least 10. Probably Purdue’s best offensive NFL prospect, due to his athleticism and 6-5, 250-pound frame, Miller will help the Boilermakers stretch the field. They’ll scheme to get him into advantageous matchups vs. smaller safeties or slower linebackers. With an offense that might not have A-plus speed on the perimeter, Purdue will look often between the hashes to get the ball down the field.

No B1G superstar at WR?

The last few seasons, there’s been little mystery about where Purdue was going with the football, as it has had No. 1 receiving targets like Rondale Moore, David Bell and Charlie Jones.

The latter had 110 receptions for the Boilermakers last season, totaling 1,361 yards and a dozen touchdowns. But there’s no such No. 1 target this season, at least right now, so look for Purdue to distribute the ball more evenly in ’23. Sheffield is the leading returning receiver, after having 46 catches for 480 yards last year. Perhaps he ticks up to 60 catches this season, but it’s unlikely he doubles his production.

Purdue won’t have a receiver in the top 3 of the B1G in yards per game for the 1st time since 2017.

Ross-Ade renovations create buzz

Purdue has long had an underrated game-day atmosphere in Ross-Ade Stadium.

That’ll get a boost this season with the completion of the $45 million south end zone and Tiller Tunnel projects.

The player entrance — the tunnel was named after former Purdue coach Joe Tiller, the winningest coach in program history, who helped revitalize the Boilermakers in the late 1990s and early 2000s — will be an awesome addition. And the upgrade to the south end zone represents a huge investment by Purdue to bring the stadium up to date. With the students now located there, it will further enhance the Boilermakers’ home-field advantage.

Work on the renovations is anticipated to go right up until the Sept. 2 opener vs. Fresno State.

Purdue will earn a bowl trip

At 6-6, the Boilermakers will qualify for their 3rd straight trip to a bowl game. More importantly, it’ll mark a successful 1st season for Walters and his staff.

To get there, Purdue will need to win in September — it plays 5 games in the month and likely needs at least 3 wins — then could sweep the last 3 of the season, when it hosts Minnesota and Indiana around a short road trip north to Northwestern. The middle of the season presents plenty of challenges, like a visit from Ohio State and a trip to Michigan, but the Boilermakers will start and finish well, and get into the postseason.