Purdue Football: Predicting The Outcome Of The Big Ten Schedule

Purdue football ended it's post season schedule, suffering an embarrassing 31 to 21 loss at the hands of the Toledo Rockets of the Mid American Conference.  This puts the Boilermakers at .500 for the non-conference as they suffered an early season loss against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.

Not only has Purdue lost half their games, but it seems as though they have lost half their key players to ACL injuries. Robert Boldin, Keith Smith, and Robert Marve all have suffered this fate throughout the summer, and the season.  The latest of which being Robert Marve.  Marve will be a significant loss, and will force back-up Rob Henry to lead the team.

Purdue will now move on to the meat of the schedule.  The Big Ten is loaded this year, featuring six of the top 25 teams in the nation, including the number two team in the nation, Ohio State. This article will explore and predict the remaining schedule of the Boilermakers. 

James Evens is a Purdue Student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.

Northwestern

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Wide receiver Andrew Brewer #12 of the Northwestern Wildcats celebrates a touchdown pass with split back Mark Woodsum #44 against the Auburn Tigers in the Outback Bowl January 1, 2010 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Ph

Purdue starts off their conference schedule against the Northwestern Wildcats in a night game match-up that will surely be one for the ages.  Northwestern has breezed through their non-conference schedule racking up a solid 4-0 start, but will really face their first real test against the Golden Gophers this weekend.

Northwestern's quarterback Dan Persa, who has already racked up over 1000 yards passing and thrown for eight touchdowns, will really be the bread and butter for Northwestern.  If Purdue is expecting to win this game, which they realistically could, they will have to stop the pass and the run.

Purdue 27, Northwestern 24

Minnesota

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

1 Jan 2001: Drew Brees #15 of the Purdue Boilermakers lines up a pass during the Rose Bowl Game against the Washington Huskies at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Huskies defeated the Boilermakers 34-24.Mandatory Credit: Stephen Dunn /Allsport

After Northwestern, Purdue will come back home for homecoming against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The game is a throwback game to the 2001 Rose Bowl jerseys.  It will be a bit weird, having Rob Henry playing quarterback as he wears number 15, just like Drew Brees, when he was at Purdue.  I expect Purdue to beat Minnesota in a close game.

Purdue 31, Minnesota 27

No.2 Ohio State

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes passes against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ohio Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 73-20. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Purdue has a real shot at Ohio State, just kidding.  Ohio State has everything that Purdue doesn't. The Boilermakers upset the Buckeyes last year at home, but this year, it will not be a similar outcome.  Expect Pryor to have a big game, and Ohio State to do some much needed score padding for the BSC.  The Boilermakers will lose to the eventual outright Big Ten Champs, Ohio State.

Ohio State 53 Purdue 10

Illinois

Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 4: A.J. Jenkins #8 of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini scores a touchdown against the University of Missouri Tigers during the State Farm Arch Rivalry game on September 4, 2010 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missour

This will be an interesting match-up for the Boilermakers.  The Illini almost always give the Boilermakers a fight and vice versa.  What will determine if Purdue wins this game is their ability to stop the run.  Illinois has one of the best running games in the nation.  Purdue will need to stop this running attack if they expect to win this game. Illinois has the slight advantage in this match-up between the bottom side of the Big Ten.

Illinois 17 Purdue 14

No.11 Wisconsin

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Montee Ball #28 of the Wisconsin Badgers runs against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Ima

This game is going to make Boilermaker fans want to poke their eyeballs out, when the Wisconsin Badgers come into Ross Ade Stadium. The Badgers have one of the best running games in the nation, along with one of the top defenses.  For the Boilermakers to pull off an upset they will have to play the game of their life.  The Boilermakers will make this one close, but in typical Purdue fashion will choke in the end.

Wisconsin 38 Purdue 31 

No. 19 Michigan

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 11: Denard Robinson #16 of the Michigan Wolverines pushes off a tackle attempt by Manti Te'o #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the final minute at Notre Dame Stadium on September 11, 2010 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan de

After Wisconsin, Denard Robinson and Michigan will come into town. Robinson who could be a Heisman winner and is definitely a candidate, will be looking to make a statement against Purdue.  With Purdue's defense, they won't be able to stop Robinson on the ground, and Michigan's running game at all. Purdue just won't be able to get over that hump to win this game.

Michigan 42 Purdue 24

No.24 Michigan State

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 10: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans argues with a referee during a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini on October 10, 2009 at Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. Mich

After Purdue is done taking on two straight ranked teams in the friendly confides of Ross Ade stadium, Purdue must travel to Michigan State, to take on the Spartans.  The Spartans are a great team full of talent, that just isn't fully developed yet.  They have a great rushing game, and a really good defense.  If Purdue can stop the run, expect them to come out of MSU with an upset.

Purdue 24 Michigan State 17

Indiana

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Ben Chappell #4 of the Indiana Hooisers moves to hand off the ball during the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Memorial Stadium on November 1, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Ge

And then there was one, the Old Oaken Bucket game. Purdue leads the series 69-36 all time.  Indiana is looking good this year.  IU has a great young QB in Ben Chappell, who has thrown for 890 yards including 9 touchdowns without any interceptions. Although IU looks good so far, they have yet to face a real opponent.  They will surely face the heat once the Big Ten schedule comes around.  Expect this game to be a spirited affair as it always is.

Purdue 45 Indiana 42

Bowl Eligible

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - MARCH 14: Purdue Pete, the mascot of the Purdue Boilermakers, gestures the #1 sign against the Illinois Fighting Illini during their semifinal game of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 14, 2009 in India

It's sort of a stretch to say Purdue is going to be bowl eligible, but, if Rob Henry, gets his act together and grows up fast, the Boilermakers can do it.  Its going to mainly depend on the defense to get key stops and stop the strong running games, of the Big Ten.  It is going to be a long time before Purdue gets back to the golden days, but they are on their way, if they can stay healthy, they will have a decent year.

James Evens is a Purdue Student and Basketball/Football Featured Columnist for the Boilermakers, along with being a Writing Intern at Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.