Indiana at Purdue

Time: Noon ET

TV: ESPN2 (Mike Patrick, play-by-play; Tommy Tuberville, analyst; Paul Carcaterra, sideline)

Radio (Purdue): Sirius 135 / XM 196 / Tunein.com (Tim Newton, play-by-play; Pete Quinn, analyst; Kelly Kitchel, sideline; Rob Blackman, host)

Pregame: Gold and Black Radio, 11 a.m. Friday

Purdue roster | Purdue Schedule/Results | Purdue Game Notes

Indiana roster | Indiana schedule/Results | Indiana Game Notes

Tickets

More: Seniors hope to leave lasting legacy | Players grasp Bucket stakes | Number Crunching | Palm talks bowl scenarios ($)| Purdue has extra motivation | Purdue on the verge

Analysis ($): Vs.: Coaches or players?

The Boilermakers have been able to run the ball effectively against teams that struggle to stop the run, but where does that put it against Indiana? The Hoosiers rank 48th nationally against the run, so they are above average. Purdue has abandoned the run (mostly because it has been ineffective) in the last two weeks. And, with a less-than-mobile Elijah Sindelar running the Purdue offense, not sure the ground game will be a point of emphasis for Purdue. Does it need to be for the Boilermakers to prevail? That's another question.

Purdue got it going when it had to against Iowa, accounting for well over 50 percent of its passing yards on the two touchdown scoring drives on its first two possessions in the third quarter. The concern here is that Indiana plays press man and has really been able to bring pressure against opponents, posting 14 sacks in the last three weeks. The Hoosier secondary has improved after some early-season injuries. For Purdue to win, it will have to be effective in throwing the ball, and Sindelar says his health has improved in the past week. Purdue must keep him upright as it did for enough of the game against Iowa.

This is Purdue's bread and butter, and it will need to remain that way for one more game. The Hoosiers did have two runners, Morgan Ellison and Cole Gest, break the century mark last week against Rutgers, but it too has struggled, at times, to run the ball against elite defenses. The Boilermakers are on a tear in this category, having kept their last four opponents under 100 yards rushing. Purdue has a good chance to do it again this week. It may be a necessity.

Quarterback Richard Lagow has a lot of good receiving options, especially wide receiver Simmie Cobbs Jr. and tight end Ian Thomas. It is a high-risk, high-reward scheme, but the physicality of the Hoosiers' receiving corps will be a challenge for the Boilermakers. Purdue's ability to bring pressure, as it did with six sacks last week at Iowa - the most by the Boilermakers in 10 years - could tell the tale. Containment is key here for Purdue.

The Hoosiers are dangerous in the punt return game, ranking 15th nationally. This is due primarily to J-Shun Harris' 19.0 return average with two touchdowns. IU kicker Griffin Oakes is one of the best in the Big Ten, hitting 15-of-16 field goal attempts with a long of 51. This game will be close, and a special teams play could decide it. The Hoosiers advantage here is slight.

On paper the Hoosiers may have a slight advantage in the measurables and there are plenty of reasons for Indiana to be able to pull what would be a mild upset. Yet, the emotion of Senior Day, and the way the Boilermakers picked themselves off the deck to deliver an improbable win at Iowa should give Purdue confidence that it can complete its best November performance in years. All of the above makes this Bucket Game one of the most evenly matched, intriguing contests in the 92-year history of the trophy game.

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