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After a strange, short season thanks to COVID, a full, 12-game season awaits PJ Fleck and Minnesota.

As we inch closer to the season, The Gopher Report will rank each opponent from easiest to hardest.

Today we continue our Ranking The Schedule series with a look at Purdue.

Minnesota at Purdue

Saturday, October 2nd | TBD

Ross-Ade Stadium | West LaFayette, Indiana

TV: ESPN Networks TBD

2-4 Overall Record

Iowa - Win, 24-20

@ Illinois - Win, 31-24

Northwestern - Loss, 27-20

@ Minnesota - Loss, 34-31

Rutgers - Loss, 37-30

Nebraska - Loss, 37-27

David Bell - Wide Receiver - Junior

David Bell is the rising star for the Purdue offense, and will definitely be their go-to guy with Rondale Moore now in the league. Bell recorded 53 receptions for 625 yards and eight touchdowns in just six games last season and was named first-team All-Big Ten. Look for him to be one of the top receivers in the conference again this season.

George Karlaftis - Defensive End - Junior

Karlaftis didn't have the season he was expecting in 2020 because of unfortunate injuries and COVID protocols, and is looking to bounce back to his 2019 form (17.0 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 7.5 sacks) this season. Karlaftis has the ideal frame for his position and uses his strength to make plays in the backfield.

OC Brothers - Linebacker - Sophomore

Brothers transferred to Purdue from Auburn and is looking to be an immediate difference maker for the Boilermakers. There have been rumblings that Brothers is looking like a top dawg so far throughout spring practice and summer workouts, so things are shaping up for him to have a breakout year.

This is where the series begins to get difficult. At this rank we still believe that Minnesota will ultimately come out with the win, but the level of competition is getting much stronger by the week. This is also the first road game of the series.

Jeff Brohm has struggled in four seasons at Purdue, with the best record being 7-6 in his first year at the helm.

Offense has always been a strong point for Purdue under Brohm, but the defense will need to improve in a big way before this team gets back to above .500.

A few staff changes were made throughout the offseason in hopes that the tables will turn in 2021. This could be the year that it happens, but if history is any indicator, this should be a road win for Minnesota.

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