Purdue Football Plummets to Rock Bottom in Big Ten Rankings
- Purdue's football team has dropped to the lowest ranks in power-conference football after being a Big Ten champion.
- The team allows the highest average points and yardage against them compared to other Big Ten programs and suffered a heavy defeat against Ohio State.
- Despite the poor performance, fans continue to support the team strongly, and some believe in the potential for improved outcomes in upcoming games.
Purdue's football program has experienced significant decline under head coach Ryan Walters, dropping from being a Big Ten West Division champion to currently standing as the worst team in power-conference football in less than two seasons. The team has struggled defensively, allowing nearly nine points and over 64 yards more per game than any other Big Ten team. In recent games, Purdue faced a dire setback, being shut out by Ohio State 45-0. Despite these challenges, some team members and fans continue to express belief in the potential of the team. After a rough performance against Wisconsin, Walters took control of the offensive play-calling and saw a slight improvement in the following game against Illinois, which ended in a close 50-49 overtime loss. Purdue’s athletic department also ranks low in revenue and expenses compared to its Big Ten peers but still enjoys strong fan support, evidenced by a sell-out against Notre Dame. Purdue's current schedule included games against five of the top ten teams in the College Football Playoff rankings, further complicating their ability to secure wins and maintain momentum in the conference.