Indiana Football: The Hoosiers look to regain the Old Oaken Bucket

Indiana Football are a slight underdog in their annual rivalry game against Purdue.

It’s Bucket Week in Bloomington and West Lafayette, Indiana. The Hoosiers seek a happy ending to what has been a tough season. The Boilermakers also look to put a bow on a tough first season under new head coach Ryan Walters.

Saturday afternoon is the 127th edition of the Old Oaken Bucket game between these two bitter interstate rivalries. The universities are about a two-hour drive down interstates 65 and 69 from one another.

Although the Boilermakers have a substantial edge in the all-time series (76-42-6), the Hoosiers have been much more competitive in the last decade, winning five of the previous nine contests (they did not play in 2020).

This should be a tight ball game, with the Boilermakers favored by less than a field goal at home.

Analyzing the Odds:

Odds: Purdue -2.5/ Indiana +2.5

Team Totals: Over/Under 50

Money Line: Purdue -155/ Indiana +130

Indiana looks to rebound after consecutive heartbreaking losses against Illinois and Michigan State. They lost to Illinois on a walk-off touchdown in overtime and a go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter against Michigan State. This season could have looked a lot different had it not been for four losses by less than ten points, including three by one possession558.

Purdue played like a team breaking in a new coach, quarterback, and regime. Ryan Walters is learning to be a head coach, while quarterback Hudson Card transferred in from Texas. The former Illinois head coach learned quickly how difficult it is to coach without six NFL players in the secondary.

Can the Hoosiers have a happy ending by reclaiming the Old Oaken Bucket? Here are more details about the game.