It seems like a lifetime ago that IU last played, but it has only been two weeks. The No. 2 Hoosiers have plenty on the line Friday night in West Lafayette when they take on the two-win Boilermakers. IU will raise the Victory Flag, keep the Bucket and clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game if…
1. Stay in the Moment
As stated above, the Hoosiers have more than just the Old Oaken Bucket at stake. It can be easy to put the cart before the horse in these situations. Indiana has to stay focused on the task at hand. While Purdue is a dismal 2-9 and have not beaten a Power Four team since 2023, they have put a scare into several opponents this season. They should have beaten Rutgers and Minnesota and they probably should have knocked off Michigan at Michigan.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti knows where his focus has to be.
“ Look, we are 100% focused on Purdue and nothing else. We have respect for Purdue. If you don’t respect your opponent, then you’re starting in a bad spot” Cignetti said. “I respect what I see on tape. They’re playing hard. They’re making plays. They’re in games. They’re doing a good job up there coaching, and we have to go up there prepared, and we got to play well. I mean, we’re going on the road to play a Big Ten football team, in-state rival. That’s all we’re thinking about.”
2. Play A Clean Game
The easiest way to get in trouble on the road is to beat yourself. Cignetti has said on multiple occasions that in order to win games, they need to not lose the game first. The Hoosiers do not make many losing plays these days.
Indiana is third in the country in fewest penalty yards per game at 27.8 yards. IU has committed just 42 penalties all year. Turnover margin is another indicator of making winning or losing plays. The Hoosiers are leading the country in turnover margin at +15. They took the ball away from their opponents 22 times while turning it over themselves just seven.
Purdue sits 40th in the country in penalty yards per game at 47.9 with 55 total accepted penalties against. 40th is not terrible, but where Purdue really struggles is turning the ball over. The Boilermakers have given the ball away 19 times this season and have only gained nine turnovers for a -10 turnover margin.
Play a clean game and IU should walk out of Ross-Ade with their 12th win of the season.
3. Don’t Take the Bait
Purdue is going to give IU their best shot and probably try and get them to engage in something stupid. Unlike the Boilermakers, IU will have more games to play after the Bucket Game and the last thing IU needs is a dumb penalty in the second half that affects a player’s availability for the next game. Don’t get caught up in the “IU Sucks” chants or trash talk. IU needs to let their play dictate the message. If Purdue wants to play stupid games, let them and just take care of business on the scoreboard.