First Look: Indiana

Here’s an early look at Purdue’s final opponent of the 2023 season, the arch-rival Indiana Hoosiers.

Date/Time: Saturday, November 25, Noon E.T.

Location: Ross-Ade Stadium

Surface: Bermuda Grass

Capacity: 61,441 (tickets)

2023 schedules/records: Purdue 3-8 (2-6 Big Ten), Indiana 3-8 (1-7 Big Ten)

Series notes: The 125th meeting between Purdue and Indiana will occur Saturday afternoon in Ross-Ade Stadium. The Boilermakers hold a 76-42-6 advantage in the series, which dates back to 1891, a 60-0 win for Purdue. Purdue enters the game on a two-game win streak against Indiana, defeating the Hoosiers to cap both the 2021 and 2022 seasons after the game was not played in 2020. The 2022 win clinched Purdue’s first-ever Big Ten West title as the visitors overcame a halftime deficit to win 30-16. Purdue will look to build on its 39-23-4 lead in games played in West Lafayette.

TV: BTN

Early line: Purdue -3, O/U 45.5

STORYLINES TO WATCH

Battle of 3-8 teams

Purdue and Indiana each enter the finale with 3-8 records, marking underwhelming seasons on both sides. The history of the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry features a plethora of matchups between sub-.500 teams, marking nothing new despite some success on both sides in recent years. Purdue and Indiana each entered the matchup with identical 3-8 records in 2014, an Indiana victory in West Lafayette. The teams also entered with matching 3-8 records for Joe Tiller’s final game at Purdue, a 62-10 thumping of Indiana which resulted in Tiller leading the band in “Hail Purdue,” and Indiana showing coach Bill Lynch the door.

The Hoosiers’ three wins came against Indiana State, Akron and Wisconsin, while the Boilermakers defeated Virginia Tech, Illinois and Minnesota. Each team enters off a frustrating loss, as Indiana missed a game-tying field goal in the final seconds against Michigan State, and Purdue fell to Northwestern with two scoreless red zone trips haunting the Boilermakers.

Finish strong

While year one didn’t go as Ryan Walters had hoped, the season finale does provide an opportunity for Purdue to win its two trophy matchups of 2023. Purdue steamrolled Illinois 44-19 to retain the Purdue Cannon for a fourth consecutive year, while Purdue will look to keep the Old Oaken Bucket inside the Kozuch Performance Center for a third straight year. With bowl eligibility out of the picture, a win over Indiana can provide the Boilermaker faithful to head into the winter on a positive note.

Hot seat in Bloomington?

Following a 6-2 season in 2020, Indiana handed Tom Allen a seven-year contract extension worth just shy of five million dollars per year. At the time, it seemed like a no-brainer. After all, the Hoosiers had made consecutive bowl games and appeared on the path to success. Since then, however, success has eluded Indiana. Allen’s squad went 2-10 in 2021 before following it up with a 4-8 record in 2022. Now, at just 3-8, patience is wearing thin in Bloomington, as the Hoosiers are just 3-23 in Big Ten play over the past three seasons. The elephant in the room? Allen’s buyout, which seems to be in the ballpark of $19 million should athletic director Scott Dolson decide to move on.

Pro Football Focus on Indiana

• Receiver Donaven McCulley, a converted quarterback, posts the top grade on the Hoosier offense. A big target, McCulley is the go-to guy
• Since taking over the starting job, quarterback Brendan Sorsby is playing quite well
• The Hoosiers don’t get much pressure on opposing quarterbacks with just 19 sacks in 11 games
• The secondary has been a strength for Indiana with both safeties and a starting corner grading well
• As a team, Indiana posted some of its best grades in November against Wisconsin and Illinois

Ryan Walters on Indiana

An update will be provided following Walters’ Monday afternoon press conference

Purdue-Northwestern coverage: Ten observations: Purdue-Northwestern | Grading the Boilermakers: Purdue-Northwestern | Three and Out: Purdue’s loss at Northwestern | Five Factors: Purdue’s 23-15 loss at Northwestern | Data Driven: Purdue’s loss at Northwestern