3 & Out Defense: Week 14 Purdue Boilermakers

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TJ Simmons and the young Hoosier defense will try to end on a high note against Purdue

TJ Simmons and the young Hoosier defense will try to end on a high note against Purdue

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@sammyj108)

Well, it’s that time of year again. It is time for the Bucket Game and an all too early good-bye to the college football regular season.  The Hoosiers close of the 2013 campaign at home against the 1-10 Purdue Boilermakers.  The Indiana defense has struggled all season, but could end on a high note when they face Purdue’s anemic offense, which has not scored over 24 points in a single game all season.  So light up the grill, crack open a beverage, grab a camping chair, and read about the keys to victory for the Indiana defense.

1. Don’t Give The Boilermakers Hope- Indiana’s defense has made some mediocre offense’s look as if they can light to world on fire, they cannot do that today.  The Hoosiers have to seize the momentum early with stops and turnovers and crush the will of this Purdue team who probably just wants to go home at this point.

2. Create Big Plays and Capitalize- Last week the Hoosiers forced three Ohio State turnovers, however they were only converted into seven points.  Points off of turnovers can be lethal to a bad football team to Purdue.  It takes the life out of a team and gives that energy to the opponent.  Purdue doesn’t do anything particularly well on offense so the Hoosiers should be able to tee off a little bit on the Boilers.

3. How About a Shut Out?- Talk about sticking it to Purdue! How great would it be for the moral of the Hoosier program to go out there and pitch a shutout to win the Bucket? It is a tall task, but Purdue is only averaging 13 points per game and have been blanked twice so far this season.  The only way this is possible is if the Hoosiers can jump out early and smother the Boiler offense, while putting up early points themselves.  If IU rushes out to a 21-0 lead early I really don’t know if the Boilers will score despite the recent play of the Hoosier defense.

Enjoy it Hoosier Nation. This is the last hurrah for the 2013 edition of Indiana Football.  Send these seniors out with a win and bring that Bucket back to Bloomington.