Purdue University’s Boilermakers, currently 2-2 under the leadership of coach Barry Odom, face a challenging matchup this Saturday against Illinois, a Top 25 team. The task is complicated by a peculiar streak linked to Taylor Swift’s album releases.
Unusual Streak Continues Against Illinois
The Boilermakers have an unusual statistic: they have never won a game that takes place shortly after a Taylor Swift album release. This curious trend began on October 24, 2006, alongside the launch of Swift’s debut album and has persisted through multiple releases, leading to ten consecutive losses.
Taylor Swift’s Album Release Timeline
Here are the crucial dates and corresponding Purdue outcomes:
- Oct. 24, 2006: “Taylor Swift” – Purdue lost 12-0 to Penn State.
- Nov. 11, 2008: “Fearless” – Purdue lost 22-17 at Iowa.
- Oct. 25, 2010: “Speak Now” – Purdue lost 44-10 at Illinois.
- Oct. 22, 2012: “Red” – Purdue lost 44-28 at Minnesota.
- Oct. 27, 2014: “1989” – Purdue lost 35-14 at Nebraska.
- Nov. 10, 2017: “Reputation” – Purdue lost 23-13 at Northwestern.
- Aug. 23, 2019: “Lover” – Purdue lost at Nevada a week later.
In 2020, due to scheduling, the trend did not continue. After Swift’s album “folklore” was released on July 24, Purdue won against Iowa on October 24, 2020. This break continued until the release of “Red (Taylor’s Version)” on Nov. 12, 2021, resuming with a 59-31 loss at Ohio State the following day.
Recent Trends and Future Outlook
Purdue seeks to improve its record following the latest album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” released just before their game against Illinois. The Boilermakers’ recent form shows promise, as they have demonstrated significant improvement this season after a disappointing 2024 campaign.
The question remains: will Purdue break the streak this Saturday? Recent performances suggest a potential turning point, but history indicates a challenging road ahead.
