Numbers That Matter in the 2016 Bucket Game

Written By Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

It’s the final week of the regular season and that means it is Bucket Week, the biggest week of the IUFB calendar. The Old Oaken Bucket trophy dates back to 1925, although the IU-Purdue series dates all the way back to 1891, so there are a lot of numbers to look at historically and statistically in terms of the game.

Four- The Hoosiers are going for their fourth straight Bucket win on Saturday, it’d be their longest winning streak against Purdue since winning four in a row from 1944-47. Indiana’s longest streak without a loss in the series came between 1916 and 1923 when Indiana went 4-0-2, however the Bucket had not yet been initiated as a trophy yet.

Five- Indiana is going for their fifth win this decade against Purdue. Indiana has only won or broke even in a decade just three times going 5-5-0 in the 1990’s, 7-3-0 in the 1940’s and 4-2-1 in the 1900’s. The overall rivalry stands at 72-40-6 in favor of the Boilermakers, while the Bucket series has Purdue with a 58-30-3 lead. So winning or at least clinching a non-losing decade is a big deal for Indiana.

121- Purdue is ranked 121st nationally in both scoring and rushing defense as they give up 39.4 points per game and 246.3 yards on the ground per game. Indiana’s offense should be able to light up the scoreboard and spark their struggling running game.

20.3- While Purdue has been mostly awful in 2016, Hoosier defensive backs must keep an eye on wide receiver DeAngelo Yancey who is averaging 20.3 yards per catch, tops in the Big Ten. Yancey has 43 receptions for 873 yards and nine touchdowns. He’s the most explosive option the Boilermakers have on offense. Over his last three games Yancey is averaging 105.3 yards per contest and 24.3 yards per catch.

Minus-18- Purdue is tied for last in FBS football with a minus-18 turnover margin. They have not been able to hold on to the ball all year and that is highlighted by the 19 interceptions that quarterback David Blough has thrown in 11 games. As a team the Boilermakers have 30 total turnovers (23 interceptions and seven fumbles), so Indiana’s defense should be on the look out for ample takeaway opportunities. To put it in perspective, IU has been careless with the ball this year, yet have only a minus-six turnover margin.

10- The Hoosiers will have 10 seniors who will be appearing for the final time in Memorial Stadium on Saturday. T.J. Simmons, Ricky Jones, Dawson Fletcher, Clyde Newton, Wes Rogers, Dan Feeney, Dimitric Camiel, Mitchell Paige, and Ralph Green are the 10 fourth or fifth year seniors on the roster.