Purdue Boilermakers

Purdue sits at 3-3 after six games, already matching its win total from a 2-10 campaign in 2025. The Boilermakers snapped a 19-game Big Ten losing streak with a 24-17 road win at Illinois in Week 5, then followed it with a 41-13 home rout of Minnesota in Week 6. Those two victories have put Purdue in position to compete for a bowl berth, a goal head coach Barry Odom set in the preseason. The schedule ahead includes winnable games, and the team's confidence is clearly rising.

Minnesota transfer running back Fame Ijeboi has been the engine of Purdue's offense. He ran for 114 yards and three touchdowns in the double-overtime loss to Wake Forest, then exploded for a career-high 195 yards and three more scores in the win over Minnesota. Ijeboi's vision and balance have been on display all season, and he credited the offensive line for his success. With a beefed-up line that added six portal transfers and a new position coach, the Boilermakers have a reliable red-zone identity: hand the ball to Ijeboi.

Quarterback Ryan Browne has taken a significant step forward in his second year as the starter. He set a career high with 317 passing yards in the opener against Indiana State, then broke it with 329 yards against Wake Forest. Browne has thrown for multiple touchdowns in several games and has largely avoided turnovers. He also adds value as a runner, as shown by his 81 rushing yards and a touchdown against Minnesota. The preseason concerns about drops and a lack of an alpha receiver have been mitigated by the emergence of Asaad Waseem and De'Nylon Morrissette.

Purdue's defense was historically bad through the first four games, allowing 38 points to Wake Forest, 52 to UCLA, and 49 to Notre Dame. However, the unit turned a corner in the last two weeks. Against Illinois, the Boilermakers stopped the Illini on a missed field goal and a fourth-down pass in the red zone, key plays in a 24-17 win. Then against Minnesota, Purdue limited the Gophers to 13 points and just 25 rushing yards. The return of linebacker Charles Correa and improved play from the secondary have been crucial. If this trend continues, Purdue can compete in the Big Ten.

Freshman kicker Jacobo Echeverria Lozano has been a revelation, making 11 of 12 field goals this season, including three in the win over Illinois. His consistency has provided points in an area that was a question mark in the preseason. The return game, led by diminutive transfer Travis Terrell Jr., has also shown flashes. Special teams coach James Shibest's unit has provided a schematic edge, and in the win over Minnesota, a muffed punt set up a short touchdown. Continued strong play in this phase will be vital in close games down the stretch.