REPORT: Purdue football surprise the rest of the Big Ten Picked Finish
INDIANAPOLIS — Purdue football aims to make an impact in the Big Ten this fall.
There’s a strong sense of optimism in West Lafayette as coach Ryan Walters enters his second season, bolstered by several promising transfer portal acquisitions. However, the broader expectations across the league are not as high. In the preseason USA TODAY Network Big Ten football media poll, the Boilermakers were ranked last among the 18 teams.
Ohio State earned eight of the 13 first-place votes to be named the preseason No. 1 team, while Oregon received the remaining five first-place votes. Defending national champion Michigan and Penn State were tied for third.
Purdue was ranked lower than Illinois, Indiana, and Northwestern in the poll.
Among the preseason All-Big Ten team, only one Boilermaker made the cut: sophomore safety Dillon Thieneman, who secured one of the four defensive back positions after a standout debut season with six interceptions.
Why so low on the Boilermakers?
Purdue ended last season with a 4-8 record, including a 3-6 mark in Big Ten games. This year’s schedule is widely considered one of the toughest in the country. Besides nonconference matchups against Notre Dame and at Oregon State, the Boilermakers will face three of the top four teams from the preseason poll: Oregon and Penn State at home, and Ohio State on the road.
The team has lost key players like second-team All-Big Ten edge rusher Nic Scourton, who transferred to Texas A&M, and leading receiver Deion Burks, who moved to Oklahoma. While Purdue has brought in several promising transfer portal additions, including former Georgia cornerback Nyland Green and former Bulldog receivers De’Nylon Morrissette and CJ Smith, none of these acquisitions match the impact of adding a high-profile quarterback or a proven pass rusher.
How IndyStar’s Purdue Insider voted
Your preseason rankings and selections are detailed and insightful! Here’s a summary of your choices:
### Rankings:
1. **Ohio State**
2. **Oregon**
3. **Penn State**
4. **Iowa**
5. **Michigan**
6. **USC**
7. **Wisconsin**
8. **Nebraska**
9. **Washington**
10. **Maryland**
11. **Illinois**
12. **Rutgers**
13. **Purdue**
14. **UCLA**
15. **Minnesota**
16. **Michigan State**
17. **Northwestern**
18. **Indiana**
### Preseason All-Big Ten Team:
– **QB**: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
– **RB**: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State; Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
– **WR**: Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State; Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
– **TE**: Colston Loveland, Michigan
– **OT**: Jonah Monheim, USC; Ajani Cornelius, Oregon
– **OG**: Donovan Jackson, Ohio State; Matthew Bedford, Oregon
– **C**: Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
– **DL**: Jack Sawyer, Ohio State; Tyleik Williams, Ohio State; Mason Graham, Michigan; Abdul Carter, Penn State
– **LB**: Jay Higgins, Iowa; Nick Jackson, Iowa; Kydran Jenkins, Purdue
– **DB**: Caleb Downs, Ohio State; Denzel Burke, Ohio State; Will Johnson, Michigan; Dillon Thieneman, Purdue
– **P**: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
– **K**: Dragan Kesich, Minnesota
– **All Purpose**: Braeden Wisloski, Maryland
### Awards:
– **Coach of the Year**: Ryan Day, Ohio State
– **Player of the Year**: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon
– **Newcomer of the Year**: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State
Your approach of ranking teams based on game outcomes and strength of schedule gives a clear picture of the anticipated standings. Kydran Jenkins as a breakout star and Dillon Gabriel for player of the year are intriguing picks, reflecting a deep understanding of player potential and team dynamics.