First Glance: Hoosiers will Travel to West Lafayette in Search of the Old Oaken Bucket in Week 14

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The annual Old Oaken Bucket Game will be held on November 30th at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette this year. The last four Bucket Games have had bowl implications and the 2019 edition shouldn’t be any different. Purdue was won the last two in the series after losing four-straight, while the Hoosiers have been shut out of the postseason two years in a row. Winning at Purdue is never an easy task and this year’s version of the Boilermakers have the potential to be pretty darn good. However, anything can happen on rivalry weekend and the Hoosiers are pretty talented themselves. I expect a raucous atmosphere again in West Lafayette and I think Tom Allen wouldn’t want it any other way. Having this rivalry heat up, is great for the health of college football in the state of Indiana.

Week Fourteen: Purdue Boilermakers

Date & Time: Saturday, November 30th, Time: TBA

Venue: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana

TV: TBA

Boilermakers at a Glance

Head Coach: Jeff Brohm

Entering his 6th season as a head coach, 3rd season at Purdue

Overall Record: 43-23

At Purdue: 13-13 (9-9)

Last Season: 6-7 (5-4 in B1G) Lost to Auburn in the Music City Bowl

Boilermakers Returning Leaders

Passing: Elijah Sindelar (26-44, 59.1 Comp% , 283 yards, 2 TDs 3 INTs)

Rushing: Rondale Moore (21 att. 213 yards, 10.1ypc, 2 TDs)

Receiving: Rondale Moore (114 rec, 1,258 yards, 11 ypc, 12 TDs)

Tackles: Markus Bailey (115 tackles, 10 TFLs, 5.5 Sacks)

Boilermakers Preseason Predictions

Athlon’s: 6th in the Big Ten West

Lindy’s: 6th in the Big Ten West

Phil Steele: T-4th in the Big Ten West

Street & Smith’s: 2ndin the Big Ten West

S&P+ Projections: 5.4 wins (58th nationally)

Impact Newcomers for the Boilermakers

1. George Karlaftis, DE- The Boilermakers got a difference maker on the edge when in-state four-star recruit George Karlaftis chose Purdue. At 6’4” and 265 pounds, he may be the opening night starter at defensive end. Karlaftis made 332 career tackles at West Lafayette High School.

2. Jalen Graham, LB- Another true freshman who could find their way into the starting line up is Jalen Graham, a 6’3” 215-pound linebacker who played defensive back in high school in Michigan.

3. David Bell, WR- Turning to the offensive side of the ball now, Purdue got a gem in four-star wide receiver David Bell who is coming out of Indianapolis’ Warren Central High School. He won Gatorade Indiana Player of the Year after hauling in 85 passes for 1,542 yards and 23 touchdowns. Bell is talented enough to crack the starting rotation as well.

Offensive Preview

Wide receiver Rondale Moore will be the focus of the Boilermaker offense, but it is more than just the All-American speedster. Elijah Sindelar will look to bounce back from an injury filled season to replace David Blough at quarterback. Sindelar has plenty of experience under his belt and actually was Purdue’s opening night starter last season. He has thrown for 2,547 career yards in parts of three seasons. It’s his job full-time now. Behind him is Jack Plummer, a former three-star recruit, who had a solid showing in the spring.

While Rondale Moore headlines the receiving corps after leading the Big Ten in receptions and putting up 1,258 receiving yards along with 12 touchdowns, the group is more than just him. True freshman stud David Bell joins the group and should be in line to start. Junior Jared Sparks, a former quarterback, made 28 catches last year and should be the third starter. Jackson Anthrop, who saw his playing time diminish last year after a solid freshman campaign, is a capable backup. Milton Wright is another four-star recruit who can breakout on to the scene. This group is much deeper than it has been in a long time.

Tight end Brycen Hopkins is one of the better tight ends in the conference and is coming off a 34-catch 583-yard junior campaign. His numbers should stay steady or improve as his 6’5” 245-pound frame is an inviting target.

It may seem like Purdue is a super team by now, but they have their weaknesses. The Boilermakers need their offensive line to gel quickly, but they only return one starter and they lose most of their experienced depth. If the line cannot perform, a less mobile Sindelar will struggle.

Purdue was already dealt an early season injury as projected starting running back Tario Fuller is out indefinitely after breaking his jaw in two places. Fuller had 11 carries for 14 yards last season. Zander Horvath who had 42 yards on nine carries last season will shoulder the early season load.

Defensive Preview

The Boilermakers have a chance to be pretty good defensively as they will try and build around All-Big Ten linebacker Markus Bailey. Western Kentucky transfer Ben Holt made 116 stops for the Hilltoppers last year and will be plugged in at one of the strong side linebacker spot. Cornell Jones is back after making nine tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.

The secondary was an issue for Purdue last season and outside of safety Navon Mosely, return a lot of youth. Cornerback Kenneth Major led the team with three interceptions. Fellow sophomore Dedrick Mackey had two pass break ups in his limited playing time. The free safety position will be manned by redshirt freshman Cory Trice.

The defensive line returns nose guard Lorenzo Neal, a senior who made 30 tackles last season including two for a loss and two sacks. Junior Anthony Watts will man the tackle position after posting 42 tackles in 2018 and Derrick Barnes will take over the LEO position. Barnes made 92 tackles, including five for a loss, last season. The wild card of the bunch will be highly touted defensive end George Karlaftis, a four-star freshman from West Lafayette. If he lives up to his expectations, Purdue’s defense should be plenty stout to make a run at a division title.

Special Teams Preview

Purdue will have to break in a new punter in freshman Brooks Cormier who has a live leg. JD Dellinger is back after redshirting last season. He has hit 20-of-29 field goals in his Purdue career.

Expect Rondale Moore to be used on both kick and punt return since he is too good not to have the ball in his hands. Moore had 662 kick return yards and 82 punt return yards.