2024 B1G Media Days: Spotlight on Purdue Boilermakers

The 2024 college football season is inching closer and closer to kickoff. This week, the Big Ten Conference kicked off its Media Days in Indianapolis.

The Purdue Boilermakers were an interesting topic, creating some controversy as to whether or not they will be competitive. Purdue finished 4-8 in 2023. Coach Ryan Walters wants the doubters' words to be used as fuel this season.

Purdue Boilermakers Aren't Happy

Walters was reminded at B1G Media Days that Purdue was picked to finish last this season. That's partially due to the new-look conference, but also in relation to a 4-8 2023 season. While the Boilermakers may have lost some talent to the NFL, such as Tyrone Tracy, they are optimistic over what is to come.

"I definitely feel like there's a chip on everyone's shoulder in the building," Walters said. "We're here to compete. The three things we talk most about in our program are competitive, selfless and disciplined with competitive being at the forefront."

Walters added, "So, when you go 4-8, you better have a chip on your shoulder. I feel like the guys we brought in feel like they have something to prove as well. Definitely use it as motivation. Can't really pay attention or harp on it too much, but we're not going to turn a blind eye to the elephant in the room. We definitely addressed that as a team."

Purdue's 2024 Outlook

Walters is heading into his second season at Purdue, but it's not going to be easier this season.

The B1G added more competition in the offseason with Oregon, USC, UCLA and Washington. Washington may have taken a step back after losing coach Kalen DaBoer to Alabama and players to the NFL. However, they were still in the national championship game last season. Oregon also poses a huge threat to the Boilermakers as they will be coming to Lafayette, Ind., on October 18.

The Boilermakers kick off their season on August 31 against Indiana State. This should line up as a win for them . After that, they will have 2 weeks to prepare to host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on September 14. That's followed by a road trip to Corvallis, Ore., to face the Oregon State Beavers. The matchup with Notre Dame could be the start of a gauntlet for Purdue.

After Oregon State, the Boilermakers' schedule consists of Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Oregon, Northwestern, Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan State and Indiana. This is a tough schedule and Walters is quite aware of it. "I know 4-8 sucks, I don't ever want to be here again," he said. Can the Boilermakers bounce back in 2024?