Wisconsin Football 2024 Preview: Purdue Boilermakers

In week six, Wisconsin football will have the first of its home conference matchups against the Purdue Boilermakers.

Both programs enter the contest in the heart of their second year under new direction, with the Badgers looking to improve from a 7-6 season under Luke Fickell and the Boilermakers hoping to bounce back from a 4-8 season under Ryan Walters.

Wisconsin will come off a road game against Big Ten newcomers USC before welcoming Purdue to Camp Randall. They'll then hit the road again for a matchup with Rutgers, making week six a potential trap game for the Badgers as they endure a tough travel schedule.

Game Info

When: Saturday, Oct. 5th - Time TBD

Where: Camp Randall Stadium - Madison, WI

TV: TBD

Radio: Badger Sports Network

History

To call the series between Wisconsin and Purdue lopsided would be an understatement, especially in recent history. The Badgers are 53-29-8 against the Boilermakers all time, but UW has won a whopping 17 straight games dating back to 2004.

Last season, Luke Fickell and the Badgers took home a decisive 38-17 win in West Lafayette despite trailing in passing yards and logging just one more rushing yard than the Boilermakers.

Last Season

4-8 Overall; 3-6 Big Ten

23.9 points per game (82nd of 133)

30.4 opp. points per game (98th of 133)

2023 SOS: 52nd of 133

The first year under a new regime was tough for Purdue. After six seasons with the program, Jeff Brohm resigned in the offseason and took a head coaching job at Louisville. Former Illinois defensive coordinator Ryan Walters was brought in, becoming one of the youngest Power Five head coaches.

The Boilermakers brought in former Texas QB Hudson Card in hopes of providing a boost to the offense, but they struggled to get in a consistent groove, ranking 67th in yards per game at 379.9 and 82nd in points per game with 23.9.

On the defensive side, Purdue had its fair share of issues under defensive coordinator Kevin Kane, who followed Walters to West Lafayette after two seasons as a linebackers coach with the Illini. In the first year under Kane's scheme, the Boilermakers ranked last in the Big Ten in scoring defense and pass defense. They also allowed more plays of 20+ yards than anyone in the conference while giving up 382.1 yards per game.

2024 Preview

During the offseason, Purdue added some new faces into the mix through the transfer portal, bringing in 18 transfers. Highlighted by former Georgia players CB Nyland Green, WR CJ Smith, and WR De'Nylon Morisette, as well as former Illinois RB Reggie Love III and former Notre Dame OL Joey Tanona, Purdue will have several new contributors in 2024.

The Boilermakers will have matchups against Notre Dame, Oregon State, and Nebraska heading into week six. It's not the easiest stretch of games to begin the season -- especially for a team that hasn't made many marginal improvements since last season -- but again, this could be a potential trap game for the Badgers.

Ryan Walters is searching for an identity for his squad heading into his second year at the helm, but it may be an uphill battle after failing to make any splash moves. That said, they do still have Hudson Card under center, which could give Purdue a fighting chance to improve in 2024.

Wisconsin football has an excellent opportunity to extend a dominant streak and earn an early win in conference play. Camp Randall should be rowdy for the Big Ten home opener, which should give the Badgers a leg up to do just that.

Related: Wisconsin Football 2024 Preview: USC Trojans

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You can also follow Jake Maier at @JakeJMaier on X.