Bucket Game Day (Eve) Primer: Indiana at Purdue
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Written By T.J., Inman (@TJHoosierHuddle)
What: Indiana (5-6) at Purdue (5-6)
Where: Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, IN
When: Saturday, November 25 at Noon
How to Watch: The game will be broadcast on ESPN2. You can also listen to the game on the IU Radio Network with the legendary Don Fischer on the call.
Bucket History: The Old Oaken Bucket came into being in 1925 at a joint meeting of the Chicago chapters of both schools alumni organizations. The two decided to “discuss the possibility of undertaking worthy joint enterprises on behalf of the two schools.” An old oaken bucket was determined to be “the most typical Hoosier form of trophy, that the bucket should be taken from some well in Indiana, and that a chain be made of bronze block “I” and “P” letters should be provided for the bucket.” The first game for the Bucket was contested in 1925 and ended in a 0-0 tie.
What’s at Stake: The Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers will meet for the 120th time in the history of the rivalry. While the Boilermakers lead the series overall (72-41), Indiana has won the contest four straight times and is looking for their first five-game winning streak ever. More importantly, the Hoosiers and Boilers are both one win away from bowl eligibility and to the victor shall go the spoils. This is the first Bucket game between head coaches Tom Allen and Jeff Brohm (the last time both schools had first-year head coaches, Joe Tiller and the Boilers hammered Cam Cameron and the Hoosiers). While the stakes are not as high as they have ever been in this rivalry (remember, these two have played with the Rose Bowl on the line), they are as high as they have been in quite some time.
What to Watch For
1. A Pair of Top 40 Defenses
Think back two years when this matchup was contested. Kevin Wilson and Darrell Hazell were the head coaches and Tom Allen had yet to arrive in Bloomington. Neither team had anything remotely resembling a competent defense. One year later, Tom Allen had led the Hoosiers to the best defensive improvement in the country as IU’s defensive coordinator. Fast forward to present day, Nick Holt (Purdue’s DC) and Jeff Brohm have done the same thus far for the Boilermakers and IU is now ranked in the top 25 in total defense. The Hoosiers are surrendering only 329.8 yards per game while Purdue is giving up only 359.5. The Hoosiers have shut out two opponents in a season for the first time since 1993 and Purdue hasn’t allowed more than two touchdowns in a game since mid-September. IU is equally adept against the run and the pass while Purdue is stronger against the run and slightly vulnerable against the pass. Both squads have strong front sevens and experienced secondaries and it’s likely that more than 15 seniors will be starting on the combined defensive units. In short, points will likely be at a premium.
2. Pressure Sindelar
The Indiana Hoosiers pass rush has been on fire lately and they will have a chance to significantly impact Saturday’s contest. IU now has 35 sacks this season and is averaging 3.2 per game. That number places them third in the conference, ahead of both Penn State and Ohio State. Meanwhile, Purdue’s offensive line has given up 2.6 sacks per game (third worst in the conference and only better than Maryland and Illinois). Greg Gooch, Robert McCray and Jacob Robinson have played really well lately and the Hoosiers will need them to continue their fine form if they are to come out victorious. Purdue’s running game is not particularly strong. They have some capable backs in D.J. Knox, Markell Jones, Tario Fuller and Richie Worship but their offensive strength is the deep passing game. Jared Sparks (who may not be 100%), Jackson Anthrop, Brycen Hopkins and Anthony Mahoungou are all very capable of breaking big plays. Mahoungou in particular is a scary player to go against. He had a pair of touchdowns against Iowa that broke that game open and led the Boilers to a win in Kinnick Stadium. Cole Herdman is a quality tight end as well. Purdue has five pass-catchers averaging more than 11 yards per reception. The key for the Hoosiers will be shutting down Purdue’s running game and then pressuring the immobile Elijah Sindelar. Much like Richard Lagow, Sindelar is not a threat to run the ball (-52 rushing yards on the season).
3. Controlling Emotions
The stakes are high and the biggest problem for both teams will be harnessing the passion and energy and channeling it into productive play as opposed to reckless penalties or turnovers. The Indiana Hoosiers were very sloppy with the ball for parts of this season and dug themselves a huge hole in turnover margin. However, they were on the plus side against both Illinois and Rutgers and were as “sharp” in all phases as possible in last week’s contest. IU’s -7 in turnover margin is not a great representation of how the Hoosiers are currently playing. Purdue has been pretty good with turnovers and sit at +3 on the season. Rivalry games tend to hinge on a play made here or a play not made there and it’s very possible this one is no different. Which team can make the play when one is presented to them? Which team will make the critical penalty to prolong a drive that leads to points? In close games with a lot on the line, the sharper team often wins. That will likely hold true for the Bucket Game.
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