Purdue Boilermaker Football 2011 Schedule: Game-by-Game Breakdown
The Purdue Boilermakers have not had a successful start under head coach Danny Hope in his first two seasons as the commander in chief of the Boilermakers.
Last season, Purdue had a record of 4-8 and 2-6 in conference play. Its biggest victories came against Northwestern and Minnesota.
Danny Hope and the Boilermakers need a good season to get the team headed back in the right direction.
Here is a preview of the schedule and a breakdown of the games.
James Evens serves as a National Featured Columnist for college football and basketball as well as the FC for the Purdue Boilermakers. Follow him on Twitter or like him on Facebook.
Middle Tennessee State (Sun Belt)
1 of 13
Date: September 3, 2011
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 6-7 (5-3)
Bowl Game: GoDaddy.com Bowl loss
Notes: Middle Tennessee focused primarily on its rushing attack last season and actually ranked 31st in the country in this category. They graduated both of their prime time threats, so it will be a rebuilding year for the Blue Raiders.
Rice (C-USA)
2 of 13
Date: September 10, 2011
Location: Houston, Texas
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 4-8 (3-5)
Notes: Rice had a down year in Conference USA last season. They are kind of like the Purdue of Conference USA and are just a blip on Purdue's schedule, although the Boilermakers have been known to blow games like these. The Owls will return Nick Fanuzzi, who is a great QB that will be difficult for the secondary to respond to.
Southeast Missouri State (OVC)
3 of 13
Date: September 17, 2011
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 9-3 (7-1)
Postseason: Second round of FCS championships
Notes: They had a great season last year, but beyond that there is not much to say. They are a good FCS team and could possibly beat us if we aren't on our game.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Notre Dame
4 of 13
Date: October 1, 2011
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 8-5
Bowl: Sun Bowl win
2010 Result: Notre Dame 23, Purdue 12
Notre Dame has really turned over a new leaf under Brian Kelly. The Irish are back on track and seem to be rebuilding into one of the nation's elite once again. This is a rivalry game for the Boilermakers and anything can happen, but Notre Dame will come into this one favored, as it is the better team.
Minnesota (Legends)
5 of 13
Date: October, 8, 2011
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 3-9 (2-6)
2010 Result: Purdue 28, Minnesota 17
Notes: Minnesota was one of the two teams that Purdue beat in conference play last season. The Gophers are rebuilding and have a new coach that seems to have them turning over a new leaf. This is a must win for Purdue if they want to be bowl eligible at the end of the year.
Penn State (Leaders)
6 of 13
Date: October 15, 2011
Location: University Park, Pennsylvania
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 7-6 (4-4)
Postseason: Outback Bowl loss
Notes: Penn State is a team that seems to be respectable year in and year out. The Boilermakers haven't played the Nittany Lions in a few years, but with this new conference structure, they will be an annual opponent.
Illinois (Leader)
7 of 13
Date: October 22, 2011
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 7-6(4-4)
Bowl: Texas Bowl win
2010 Result: Illinois 44, Purdue 10
Notes: Illinois really turned the corner last season under Ron Zook. They made a bowl after a dismal previous season, and the Boilermakers will be looking to do the same this season. This Illinois team could make some noise in the Big Ten.
Michigan (Legend)
8 of 13
Date: October 29, 2011
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 7-6 (3-5)
Bowl: Gator Bowl loss
2010 Result: Michigan 27, Purdue 16
Notes: Michigan will more than likely be adjusting this season after the firing of Rich Rodriguez. They will more than likely still have Denard Robinson, who will be a threat. This could be a close game. It just depends on how well the Boilermakers are playing.
Wisconsin (Leader)
9 of 13
Date: November 5, 2011
Location: Madison, Wisconsin
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 11-2 (7-1)
Postseason: Rose Bowl loss
2010 Result: Wisconsin 34, Purdue 13
Notes: Wisconsin should be just as good, if not better this season. They return numerous starters and along with Ohio State are a definite favorite for the division and conference.
Ohio State (Leader)
10 of 13
Date: November 12, 2011
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 12-1 (7-1)
Bowl: Sugar Bowl win
2010 Result: Ohio State 49, Purdue 0
Notes: We did not get lucky enough to play Ohio State half strength, so we will have to face them with all of their salesmen. Ohio State will be good, as it always is, but Danny Hope has had success at home against the Buckeyes, going 1-0.
Iowa (Legend)
11 of 13
Date: November 12, 2011
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Time: TBA
2010 Record: 8-5 (4-4)
Postseason: Insight Bowl win
Notes: Iowa is going to be a good team again. They might fall slightly offensively, but they should be okay in general. We haven't played Iowa in a bit, so it should be an exciting game.
Indiana (Leader)
12 of 13
Date: November 26, 2011
Location: Bloomington, Indiana
Time: November 26, 2010
2010 Record: 5-7 (1-7)
2010 Result: Indiana 34, Purdue 31 OT
Notes: The Hoosiers will be rebuilding with a new coach and a new quarterback after having a veteran this season. It will likely be a rebuilding season for the Hoosiers as they try to get a football program that is decent for once.
Rose Bowl
13 of 13
I hope you laughed as much as I did when this slide popped up.
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