Saunders
Heisman Trophy Winner
SBNation: Purdue will field a football team in 2016
Of the 13 public schools in the Big Ten (sans Northwestern), Purdue only outearned or outspent Rutgers in 2014-15. A PennLive report in June declared Purdue the poorest program in the conference.
On the field, the Boilermakers have not played at a conference-average level, per F/+, once in 11 years. They've only really come close a couple of times.
Darrell Hazell, currently 6-30 as Purdue's head coach (the worst win percentage in school history), appears to have kept his job primarily because of his large buyout.
2016 projected wins: 4.5
Projected S&P+ ranking: 88 (14 in Big Ten)
5-year recruiting ranking: 67 (14 in Big Ten)
Biggest strength: The defensive line was active and quick and is not as undersized as last year.
Biggest question mark: Take your pick between a paper-thin offensive line, a paper-thin secondary, and a defensive front that might have sacrificed its biggest asset (quickness) to address a liability (size).
Biggest 2016 game: Cincinnati (Sept. 10). Any hope of a bowl bid will require a 3-0 start.
Summary: Hazell has won just six games in three years, hamstrung by a lack of playmakers and depth. Can a pair of new coordinators and more experience at quarterback lead to marked improvement in West Lafayette? The odds aren't great.
http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/7/11/12133422/purdue-football-2016-preview-schedule-roster
More to come...