More ($): Purdue's eyes turn to 2019

Looking Ahead ($): Purdue Offense

After taking its lumps at times this season, but looking advanced at others, during what amounted to a transitional year, Purdue's defense should enter 2019 in a much more stable place than it both began and ended 2018.

Here, we take a look at what Purdue figures to have defensively.

Purdue needs a great off-season here, but it does seem to have a chance to be improved next season up front, following a season in which it was young and new and often looked it, playing too without the luxury of much depth.

First things first: The Boilermakers need defensive tackle Lorenzo Neal back full-strength after he tore his ACL against IU and missed the bowl game. Purdue, quite honestly, had virtually no chance without him. He's one of the best interior linemen in the Big Ten and a foundational presence for the Boilermaker defense.

Assuming that piece is back in place, at full strength, then young players loom large around him.