Big Ten title game scenarios? Purdue coach Jeff Brohm's focus is on beating Indiana
Jeff Brohm hears the chatter out there. He knows people are talking about what’s at stake on Saturday when Purdue (7-4 overall; 5-3 Big Ten) plays at Indiana (4-7; 2-6) at 3:30 p.m. ET. Brohm understands there’s more than the Old Oaken Bucket on the line.
“We have got a big one ahead of us in a rivalry game that means a lot, so we have to just focus on that,” said Brohm.
What-ifs? Big Ten title game scenarios? Brohm isn’t interested.
“In these type of games, doesn’t matter what your record is,” said Brohm. “Anybody can win the football game. I know the game we lost a couple years ago, they had a really, really good, talented team. They were playing well. We were not playing so well. Took them three overtimes to beat us, and that was at our stadium.”
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Purdue’s path to the Big Ten title game is clear. A win at Indiana will get the Boilermakers at least a share of the West division championship for the first time in school annals. To reach the Big Ten championship game in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 3, Purdue needs Iowa to lose at home to Nebraska. Will Brohm be watching the Cornhusker-Iowa game?
“I know it’s Friday,” said Brohm. “I don’t know what time the game is. I’m sure as we’re traveling it’ll pop on people’s phone, things like that.”
The Nebraska at Iowa tilt begins at 4 p.m. ET on Friday. So, come kickoff on Saturday, Brohm and Purdue will know what’s at stake since the Iowa-Nebraska outcome will be in the books.
For now, predictably, Brohm is focused on toppling the Hoosiers for the fourth time in five meetings since becoming Purdue coach in 2017. (The 2020 game was scrubbed due to COVID.) Rivalries feature plenty of in-state players on both sidelines.
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“Any time you get to play against your buddies and people that you grew up with or you played with or against makes it more meaningful,” said Brohm. “Of course, our fans are a big part of this, and you always want to go out on a good note with a win.”
Indiana picked up a big and unexpected victory last week at Michigan State to end a seven-game losing streak. With seven losses, the Hoosiers are eliminated from bowl consideration. Still, Indiana no doubt would enjoy winning the Bucket for the first time since 2019 (44-41 2 OT win) and denying Purdue at worst a share of the division crown.
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“Now, we got to go to their stadium, and they’re coming off a big win (39-31 2 OT at MSU) where they made some adjustments and changes and sparked them to win,” said Brohm, whose team took a 44-7 decision vs. IU in 2021. “I’m sure they’ll have a few other things up their sleeves and be ready to go.
“If we don’t match that preparation and intensity, we’ll be the ones leaving with a frown on our face.”
