Indiana vs. Purdue Prediction, Game Preview

Win and you’re in. Beyond being a big rivalry game for the Old Oaken Bucket, Indiana (5-6) can close out a solid season with a win over its neighbor and get a bowl invite to keep the season going. Purdue (2-9) has played better than its record, but this is its equivalent of a bowl game. Check out the Indiana vs. Purdue prediction and game preview.

Indiana vs. Purdue Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, November 28
Game Time: 12:00 pm
Venue: Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN

Network: BTN

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Why You Need To Care

It’s been a fun season for Indiana, even with a six-game losing streak before last week’s dominant 47-28 win over Maryland. The Hoosiers pushed Michigan into double-overtime, gave Iowa problems, and had Ohio State on the ropes, but coffee’s for closers only – IU couldn’t come through. The best win on the resume might be Western Kentucky, and the defense might be a rumor, but who cares? Beat Purdue, and go bowling for the first time since 2007 and for just the second time since 1993.

Purdue had its moment beating Nebraska 55-45 a month ago, and it gave Northwestern a run, but 2-9 is still 2-9 no matter what. There have been signs of life, and there were chances in losses to Bowling Green and Michigan State, but the program has a long way to go to get back among the living. A win over Indiana to ruin the rival’s bowl hopes would be a good way to end things, though, and a huge positive going into 2016.

Why Indiana Will Win

The Hoosiers won’t make this hard … run, keep running, and don’t stop. Purdue has allowed three touchdown runs in four of the last five games with 250 rushing yards or more in four of the last seven. IU’s passing game has been terrific with Nate Sudfeld healthy and rolling, but Jordan Howard will be the main man for an attack that ripped apart Iowa and Michigan, but struggled last week a bit against Maryland after the star back went out early. Howard missed most of the Terp game with a knee injury, but it didn’t matter – Sudfeld and the passing game saved the day. The Hoosiers can hit the Purdue defense any way it wants to.

Why Purdue Will Win

Time to get the air show rolling. Purdue hasn’t been bad throwing the ball with several 200+ yard games, but most of the work has come in desperation comeback mode. There is a passing game, though, and it should be able to fire at will on the worst pass defense in college football. The Hoosiers held Maryland down last week – the Terps don’t really throw – but they’ve been hit for 200 yards or more through the air in every other game. Purdue is 2-0 when throwing four touchdown passes, 0-9 when it doesn’t. Indiana has allowed three scoring throws ore more six times, and four or more three times.

Player Who Matters

Nate Sudfeld has thrown one pass against Purdue in his Indiana career, completing an 18-yarder in the 2013 win. Banged up last year, and bruised for a time this season, this is either the final game of his solid career, or his big moment to carry the team to a bowl game. Last week he led the charge back against Maryland with 385 yards and four touchdowns for his fifth 300-yard game on the season. While the goal will be to have Jordan Howard run the ball, if he’s banged up again, it’ll be bombs away.

What’s Going To Happen?

The emotion of the rivalry game will soon be pushed aside for Indiana’s need to go bowling. The IU offense will click early on in an impressive shootout win.