B1G schedule analysis - Purdue

Games in which Purdue will be heavy favorites:
Middle Tennessee State
Southeast Missouri State

Games in which Purdue will be heavy underdogs:
Notre Dame
@Penn State
@Wisconsin
Ohio State

Favorable match-up games:
Minnesota
Illinois
@Indiana

Unfavorable match-up games:
@Rice
@Michigan
Iowa

Summary:
Purdue got bit by the injury bug last year, losing starting QB Robert Marve, #1 WR Keith Smith, and starting tailback Ralph Bolden.  Both Marve and Bolden return, however neither is guaranteed their starting positions.  Purdue doesn't have many games on the schedule in which you can pencil in a W right now.  They will definitely win some of their match-up games, but I just can't see Purdue improving upon last year.  I don't like their QB situation and although they return Bolden at RB, he has been injury prone throughout his career.  Purdue always seems to find nice receivers but I don't see any potential stars out wide on this roster.  The Boilermakers also have some nice pieces defensively with DT Kawann Short, and LB Dwayne Beckford, but depth is a major concern, and B1G sack leader Ryan Kerrigan will be sorely missed on a defense that despite his presence last year quite frankly wasn't very good.  If Purdue continues to struggle with injuries they have almost zero chance to go to a bowl game.

The Boilermakers have a difficult schedule this year.  They have one of the most difficult schedules in the B1G in my opinion.  They face the best Notre Dame team in the last 4 or 5 years and must play a dangerous Rice team on the road.  I see the Boilermakers winning 5 games at the most this year and may only win 3 or 4 if everything unravels.