Purdue's struggles under coach Darrell Hazell have come with plenty of excuses:
We're installing a completely new coaching system.
The schedule is really tough (2013).
John Shoop.
Well, according to ESPN's Football Power Index, the strength of schedule will not be one in 2016:
The five toughest and five easiest schedules for Power 5 schools according to FPI (via @ESPNStatsInfo). #CmonBigTen pic.twitter.com/qpyc0egYtE
— Chantel Jennings (@ChantelJennings) April 7, 2016
In 2013 the schedule was legitimately tough. Purdue played three teams that played in BCS bowls after the 2012 season (Northern Illinois, Notre Dame, Wisconsin), hosted an undefeated juggernaut (Ohio State), went to a conference champion (Cincinnati), the eventual Rose Bowl champion (Michigan State), and played two other bowl teams (Iowa and Penn State).