The Battle for the Old Oaken Bucket between the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers is one of the most underrated rivalries in the Big Ten. It is set to be played once again this fall during Thanksgiving weekend. The Hoosiers will welcome the Boilermakers to town on November 28, and will undoubtedly be looking for another emphatic victory.
The Indiana and Purdue programs are in very different places right now
While the Hoosiers have been taking the college football world by storm, the Boilermakers are in the midst of a historic drought. The two programs could not be in more different places right now.
Over the last two seasons, Indiana is 27-2 and is coming off a perfect 16-0 campaign that culminated in a historic National Championship. Up in West Lafayette, the Boilermakers are 3-21 in the last two years with just one of those wins coming against an FBS opponent. Purdue has also gone 0-18 in the Big Ten over the last two seasons, while Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers are 18-1 with a Big Ten title.
Tracking every Indiana Football transfer portal departure: Where are they now?
Beating Purdue is always top of mind for Indiana fans, and Cignetti has been sure to deliver in his two Battles for the Old Oaken Bucket. Not only is Cignetti 2-0 against Purdue, but the Hoosiers have completely obliterated the Boilermakers in those matchups. Specifically, Indiana has beaten Purdue by a combined score of 122-3. Yikes!
Barry Odom trying to get the Boilermakers off the ground
Purdue head coach Barry Odom has his work cut out for him. He took over a program completely at rock bottom, and managed to go just 2-10 and 0-9 during his first season. Odom is just two seasons removed from winning Mountain West Coach of the Year at UNLV, but it will probably be a while before he gets Purdue out of the cellar of the Big Ten. He takes over as defensive coordinator this season, which he hopes leads to a big improvement after finishing 17th in total defense in the Big Ten in 2025.
Purdue offense looking to build on steady improvements
Things have slowly been trending up for the Boilermaker offense over the last two seasons, but it still needs plenty of work. Purdue went from 127th in total offense in 2024 to 102nd in Odom's first season, and while things should be better this season, a huge leap shouldn't be expected.
New NCAA Football rules for 2026 and what they mean for Indiana
QB Ryan Browne is entering his fourth season at Purdue after throwing for 2,153 yards last season. He tossed more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (9), and big plays were few and far between. Browne has a strong WR core at his disposal, but he undoubtedly has to be more accurate and consistent if the Boilers want to make any sort of noise in 2026.
Purdue's biggest portal additions come on the offensive line
Two of Purdue's biggest portal additions come on the offensive lie. Center Boaz Stanley comes over from South Carolina, while guard Micah Banuelos heads to Purdue via USC. Both will start, and on an offensive line full of transfers, they should be the leaders of the group.
New Purdue AD gives bulletin board material to Cignetti, Indiana
Earlier this month, new Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland gave Cignetti and the Hoosiers some added bulletin board material. That might not have been such a great idea. "We are here to win championships," said the new Boilermaker AD. "If you don't want to win championships, go to Indiana."
Is that the most tone-deaf statement of all-time? My goodness. Cignetti doesn't need any further motivation, but after what McClelland's comments, Cig may try to hang 100 on the Boilers this season. Look out.
Indiana vs Purdue score prediction
66-0 two years ago. 56-3 last year. What does Cignetti have in store for this year's Battle for the Old Oaken Bucket? Our way-too-early score prediction points to another big Hoosier win.
Purdue: 10
Indiana: 55
Add us as a preferred source on Google