Bucket Game Matchup To Watch: Andre Brown Jr. vs. Elijah Sindelar

Written By Alex Compton

Ohhhhhhh boy here we go. After a two game win streak, it all comes down to the Bucket Game for Indiana, as they look to make a third straight bowl game. Purdue is also sitting at 5-6 after a road win against a very sub-par Iowa team, which adds to the intrigue of what should be one of the best Bucket Games in recent memory. The Hoosiers turned to the ground early and often last week in a 41-0 win on Senior Day, as both Cole Gest and freshman Morgan Ellison had big days running the ball. My matchup of Richard Lagow vs. Kiy Hester went in favor of IU, as he was able to find the tight ends over the middle of the field all day with great success, according to PFF College Football (see below). This week’s matchup centers on the passing game again, but this time with an IU defender in the spotlight. 

ELIJAH SINDELAR VS. ANDRE BROWN JR. 

Purdue beat Iowa last weekend during a six play stretch. In that time, they went away from Joshua Jackson (B1G’s best corner), and abused the other side of the field to the tune of two touchdown throws to Anthony Mahoungou in their road win. They saw the matchup, went at it, and used it until Iowa adjusted. That is very similar to NFL concepts, where they exploit the weak links and go at it the whole game. This week, I can’t imagine Purdue going at Rashard Fant much at all on Saturday, so that leaves Brown Jr. as the man in the spotlight. He has been very solid this year after returning from injury, but his biggest test of the year likely comes this weekend. The receivers aren’t better than the ones he has matched up against this year, but the amount of times he will be thrown at is what makes this game such a challenge. Brown did miss IU's win against Rutgers, so if he his out against Purdue it'll be the same concept but instead of Brown it'll be Raheem Layne or A'Shon Riggins that needs to step up.

David Blough went down with a season-ending injury a couple of weeks ago, and that essentially ended the quarterback carousel that first year coach Jeff Brohm had rolled with this year. Elijah Sindelar is now the top guy, and he has shown some flashes of being a really good QB in the league in the near future. He reminds me a lot of Nate Sudfeld, as he is a lanky, pocket-passing QB that can make all the throws. Purdue’s offense has become incredibly one-dimensional with Sindelar taking over and with some injuries to running backs, so Brown will have to be ready on Saturday. If he can win a majority of his one on ones, IU’s defense will be set up really nicely to handle the Boilermaker offense on Saturday.