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College Football 2016: 25 bold predictions

By Nathaniel Reeves

Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) drops back to pass during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the 2016 CFP National Championship at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 10: Head coach Darrell Hazell of the Purdue Boilermakers is seen before the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 10, 2015 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – OCTOBER 10: Head coach Darrell Hazell of the Purdue Boilermakers is seen before the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 10, 2015 in West Lafayette, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

21. Purdue makes a bowl game

Purdue is not going to be a good team in 2016, and it’s looking like Darrell Hazell isn’t the coach to lead the program out of the Big Ten cellar. Still, the 2016 schedule miraculously aligns for Purdue to make a surprise run at the postseason.

Since successful head coach Joe Tiller retired at the end of 2008, Purdue has not won more than seven games in a single season. Hazell has gone 2-22 in conference and 6-30 overall, and will surely be fired with another poor season.

There have been some flashes of ability even with the awful record, and Purdue has been competitive with more talented teams like Minnesota, Northwestern and Michigan State over the past two years. The defensive line showed some promise and could be good enough to make up for a weak secondary, while running back Markell Jones could scrap out enough offense behind a relatively experienced offensive line.

The Boilermakers open with three straight non-conference home games against Eastern Kentucky, Nevada, and Cincinnati, all of whom are beatable. A 3-0 start could inspire enough confidence to pull an upset of the likes of Maryland, Illinois or even Northwestern at home late in the year.

Multiple five-win teams are likely headed to bowls again, and Purdue’s recent APR scores have been good enough to compete for a spot if it gets there. Winning five games against that schedule won’t be particularly impressive, but at least something to brighten up Hazell’s tenure.

Next: 20. Tennessee falls short of preseason top 10 status

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