The Boilers have a tough schedule, but it is more favorable than this past season.
A new era of Purdue Football is around the corner, that era now has it’s first schedule for the Coach Odom led Boilers.
The 2025 schedule is tough, but it is not as bad as the 2024 schedule. Coach Odom said he plans to win immediately, for Purdue Fans, after the disaster of a 2024 season, I think would be happy with five to seven wins. There are must wins, 50/50 games and potential upset games as well.
So, what does this new schedule look like?
Year 1 of the @Coach_Odom Era is set!
Mark your calendars and #BOilerUp pic.twitter.com/XmXlT1dPH9
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) December 11, 2024
Must Wins:
Ball State
2024 Record: 3-9
Thoughts: Ball State will bring an entirely new coaching staff, so Purdue vs BSU will be the inaugural game for both coaching staffs. Ball State fired Coach Mike Neu before the end of the season and hired the Butler Head Coach, Mike Uremovich. I am not going to even take a stab at their roster, as with everyone, it will look totally different by week 1.
Southern Illinois (FCS)
2024 Record: 4-8
Thoughts: The Salukis struggled this season, but this should be a layup win for the Odom led Boilers after the opening week against the Cardinals. Purdue should start with a 2-0 record for the 2025 season.
At Northwestern
2024 Record: 4-8
Thoughts: Purdue needs to start dominating this matchup. Northwestern under Coach Tiller was a lock for a win, as with Coach Brohm, they need to get back to that. This is game seven of the year, by that time we will have a feel of what the 2025 Purdue Football Team is all about.
50/50 Propositions:
USC
2024 Record: 6-6
Thoughts: USC struggled in their initial Big Ten Season, in a season that they did not see Oregon or Ohio State. At one point, they lost three games in a row to Minnesota, Penn State and Maryland. Will the struggles continue into the 4th year of the Riley era?
Illinois
2024 Record: 9-3 (20th in final AP Poll)
Thoughts: This is always a close game, even during Purdue’s worst season in history, the closest game was against a ranked Illinois team. The Battle for the Cannon should always be a toss-up game.
At Minnesota
2024 Record: 7-5
Thoughts: A team that has become pretty consistent under PJ Fleck, Purdue should strive to be Minnesota in terms on wins each year. Fleck has the Gophers winning 6 to 8 games yearly and has a definitive identity. Can Purdue do the same thing with Odom?
Rutgers
2024 Record: 7-5
Thoughts: Special Teams and running the ball, the identity Greg Schiano has re-created at Rutgers. Purdue will need to bring their lunch to this game to stop the run.
At Washington
2024 Record: 6-6
Thoughts: Another former Pac-12 Team off of a good season whom struggled in their initial season in the Big Ten. Washington had a new staff this season after losing their staff to Alabama following a successful 2024 season. Can the Huskies take a step forward again?
Time to Pull an Upset:
At Notre Dame
2024 Record: 11-1 (in CFP)
Thoughts: Coach Freeman has the Irish grooving since the upset against Northern Illinois. His defense is one of the best in the nation and they return a lot on both sides of the ball in 2025.
At Michigan
2024 Record: 7-5
Thoughts: The Wolverines finished strong, adding momentum to the offseason after upsetting Ohio State. Coach Moore snagged the best quarterback in the 2025 cycle as well, and are bringing a new OC in with hopes to alleviate their offensive struggles.
Vs Ohio State
2024 Record: 10-2
Thoughts: It is always a tough game for Purdue, but lets not act like Purdue has not pulled upsets against top tier Buckeye teams of past. If Ryan Day is retained, this could be a spot for Purdue to pull an upset again in front of a home crowd, especially if Purdue shows improvement throughout the season.
Vs Indiana
2024 Record: 11-1
Thoughts: The Hoosiers are coming off their best season in history, and probably will be in a similar position next November coming into the bucket game. They have another favorable schedule and return a lot of their James Madison Starters. Who will be their quarterback is the biggest question for the Hoosiers.