Keys to a Hoosier Win in the Old Oaken Bucket Game
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Written by Zach Greene
Indiana heads into the final game of the season with a 2-9 record and is one of two power five teams to not have a power five win this season. This Saturday at 3:30pm the Hoosiers will travel to West Lafayette were they will be 15 point underdogs. Purdue and it’s fans will be fired up to return the favor to IU after losing their last game vs Indiana way back in 2019. To add, both programs were talking major trash to each other before the season trying to get recruits and could not be more pumped up for this match-up. That said, let’s dive into five keys for the Hoosiers to pull of an upset on Saturday.
1. Silence the Crowd
Like I mentioned earlier Purdue and it’s fans will be fired up for this game. Purdue comes into this game 7-4 and has had two big upset wins over ranked opponents in Michigan State and Iowa both of whom the Hoosiers lost too. The stadium will be roaring and I’m sure there will be some f bombs dropped. For as young and beat up as the Hoosiers will be, for them to compete in this ball game they cannot let it get to them. Players need to focus on what they can do individually and DO THEIR JOB simple as that right?
2. Never Give Up
Yes, the Hoosiers season has long been over, but it is not yet. The Hoosiers still have one more game left to prove that this year’s team can compete at the highest collegiate level. What better way to end their season than to pull off an upset against their rival Purdue? It will be challenging, but I don’t expect Purdue to play perfectly. Emotions will be all over the place for this game. Unlike previous games, the coaches should not have to prepare for this game mentally. For many players, it will be their last time ever suiting up in a Hoosiers uniform, so the motivation will already be there.
3. Key on DL on George Karlaftis
Karlaftis is a projected first-round pick and can change ball games. Just like when the Hoosiers traveled up to Ann Harbor and saw Aidan Hutchenson, Karlatis needs to be keyed on and double-teamed. The Hoosiers fell to stop Hutchenson when they lost at the Big House. For the Hoosiers to win on Saturday, they need to check Karlaftis at the time of scrimmage, double team him, and run some no-huddle to tire out him and his defensive unit.
4. 4+ Yards per Carry
Like I have been saying all season, this Hoosiers team needs to run the football. Especially with the addition of QB Donaven McCulley whom they seem not to trust to throw the football down the field. Running the football will open his ability to run the ball and ease the pressure off the young 18-year-old. To add, when the Hoosier's offense is placed in third in long, it does not end well.
5. Design Blitzes
Remember last season when the Hoosiers had one of the best defenses in the country and were able to create a lot of havoc well that is long behind us. I expect DC Charlton Warren to dial up some cornerback blitzes this Saturday. If CB Tiawan Mullen can go on Saturday, we should see them. The Hoosiers will play like a team that does not have much to lose because they don’t. Let’s see if Warren and Allen dive into their pockets for the game Saturday.