Purdue Football Not Projected to Play in a 2021 Bowl Game, According to CBS Sports
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 2021 college football season is less than three weeks away, and CBS Sports tried its hand at predicting the postseason by posting bowl projections.
The list featured nine Big Ten programs and included Ohio State competing for a national championship appearance against Clemson in the Cotton Bowl. Wisconsin was also listed, making a trip to the Rose Bowl.
But with nine teams representing the conference in the postseason, that would mean five are left out. Purdue football was one of them, joining Maryland, Rutgers, Illinois and Michigan State.
The Boilermakers earned bowl appearances in its first two seasons under coach Jeff Brohm, which included a victory in the Foster Farms Bowl in 2017. But since then, it's been a two-year drought.
The team looks to get back to winning form during the 2021 season, which features a full, 12-game schedule. Here's a look at the bowl predictions for the rest of the conference.
CBS Sports Bowl Projections for Big Ten Programs
- QuickLane Bowl: Nebraska vs. Toledo
- Guaranteed Rate Bowl: Minnesota vs. Kansas State
- Pinstripe Bowl: Northwestern vs. Pittsburgh
- Music City Bowl: Michigan vs. Missouri
- Las Vegas Bowl: Indiana vs. Arizona State
- Outback Bowl: Penn State vs. Kentucky
- Citrus Bowl: Iowa vs. Florida
- Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. Oregon
- Cotton Bowl (CFP Semifinal): Ohio State vs. Clemson
Stories Related to Purdue Football
- BIG TEN DAILY, AUG. 12: Indiana running back Sampson James has entered the transfer portal, four-star tight end Theodor Ohrstrom from Sweden will announce college decision on Aug. 18, and Ohio State safety Jaylen Johnson will miss 2021 season with ACL injury. CLICK HERE
- PURDUE NOT INCLUDED IN 247SPORTS BOWL PROJECTIONS: The Purdue football program hasn't made a bowl appearance since 2018. With a difficult season ahead in the upcoming season, 247Sports projects the Boilermakers not to make the postseason. CLICK HERE
- TJ SHEFFIELD CHARGED: According to reports, Purdue wide receiver TJ Sheffield was charged with battery on a public safety official. He has been a full participant in the team's fall practices. CLICK HERE
- PURDUE DEFENSE EMBRACING AGGRESSIVENESS: Under co-defensive coordinator Brad Lambert, the Purdue defense is already making strides in fall camp. He's teaching aggressiveness at all levels, something the Boilermakers were void of a year ago. CLICK HERE
- OREGON STATE DEFENDER LIKELY OUT FOR MATCHUP WITH PURDUE: Oregon State defensive end Isaac Hodgins suffered a foot injury during the team's practice Sunday and underwent surgery. The Boilermakers are scheduled to open the season against the Beavers on Sept. 4 at Ross-Ade Stadium. CLICK HERE
- MERSHAWN RICE READY TO CONTRIBUTE: Purdue wide receiver Mershawn Rice has yet to make his first college reception. He's overcome injuries during his first two seasons and is now prepared to contribute on offense in 2021. CLICK HERE
- SEMISI FAKASIIEIKI INJURED IN PRACTICE: Semisi Fakasiieiki was carted off the field Monday during Purdue football fall camp. The redshirt fifth-year senior has played appeared in 28 games for the program during his college career. CLICK HERE
D.J. Fezler is a staff writer for BoilermakersCountry.com. Hailing from The Region, he is from Cedar Lake in Northwest Indiana and has spent the last two years covering Purdue football and basketball.