Purdue Boilermakers: College Football Preview

Nov 8, 2014; West Lafayette, IN, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Darrell Hazell during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Ross Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sandra Dukes-USA TODAY Sports

Purdue Boilermakers head coach, Darrell Hazell is entering his third season in West Lafayette. Can the Boilers take the next step toward B1G relevance?

The Boilermakers have remained Big Ten bottom feeders for too long. Under the supervision of Coach Darrell Hazell, the Purdue Boilermakers are finally trending in the right direction. It’s not like anyone is picking them to win the Big Ten title, but they are improving. In the last two seasons, the Boilers have shown marked improvement going from 1-11 in 2013, to 3-9 in 2014.

Entering his third season as head coach, Hazell needs the trend to continue in 2015. What is the over-under for the Purdue Boilermakers? Is a 5-7 or 6-6 record possible this year? If we shake the magic 8-Ball the ‘outlook is uncertain.’ Under Hazell, the Purdue Boilermakers are winless at home in the Big Ten play. Their first goal should be getting that first ‘W’ at home.

More from Purdue

• Preseason College Basketball All-Indiana Team 2018-19
• Indiana College Football Roundup: Week of October 27
• IU vs Purdue: Battle For The Old Oaken Bucket
• Boilermakers: A.J. Hammons Returns; Purdue Beat Cardinals 96-61
• Boilermakers Eyeing Third Straight Win Will Host Cardinals

There are still some glaring issues with the roster, but much of this season is going to depend on developing a winner’s mentality. Purdue needs to win and get used to that feeling. A winning culture is not easily to built overnight, but if it is done over a span of three years, the foundation can be laid. That confidence and winning mentality begins with the head coach and becomes contagious to players.

During his weekly press conference, Coach Hazell said his team is “quietly confident and executing at a high level.” If this is more than the prototypical coach speak, then the they are finally building upon that foundation. Purdue will open the college football season against Marshall. This game will garner national attention because it is the lone Sunday game. Coach Hazell told reporters; “I think it’s fantastic to be the only game on tv.” He continued, “… It’s a special, special situation that not a lot of teams get and I can’t wait until 3:05 on Sunday.”

Next: Will the Boilers' Defense Step Up?