INSIDE SLANT

The last time Indiana and Purdue played for the Old Oaken Bucket in Bloomington, it took a 49-yard field goal by Austin Starr in the final minute to give the Hoosiers the win, earning the team a trip to a bowl game. This time around, there is no bowl on the line, but that doesn’t mean the game is meaningless.

Indiana’s seniors have been through a lot during their time at IU, and they want to go out on a high note.

The players know that if a few breaks had gone their way, they could be planning for the postseason. Instead, the battle vs. the Boilermakers will be the final game of their college careers, and coming on the heels of last season’s 62-10 loss in West Lafayette, the Hoosiers will be looking for payback.

IU’s marketing people are turning to the past to bring traditions back to the football program, and it has been a focus of Director of Athletics Fred Glass to rebuild the fan base by improving the atmosphere at Memorial Stadium. The fans have responded by giving the team its highest average attendance since the 1992 season, and the team’s competitiveness has been one of the keys to the increased interest.

The fact the team is hungry makes it unlikely that the players are going to roll over this week. Senior running back Bryan Payton says there are a number of players who have the score “62-10” hanging in their lockers or in their apartments to make sure they won’t forget what happened last season. The team’s leadership is treating the Old Oaken Bucket game as the program’s bowl, and IU desperately wants bragging rights for the next year.

One of the signs of progress this season has been the fact that the debate over the job security of head coach Bill Lynch has died down over the past couple of weeks, and he certainly hasn’t lost his players. Last year, the same really couldn’t be said, and this year’s seniors have helped change the atmosphere of the program.

Winning would give IU a boost heading into the postseason, and there’s every reason to believe the Hoosiers will be ready to go come Saturday afternoon. This isn’t a make-or-break game for the program, but IU’s seasoned squad wants something to smile about and will be ready to play.

NOTES, QUOTES

• QB Ben Chappell and Purdue QB Joey Elliott have similar numbers in a number of passing categories. Chappell has completed one fewer pass (245) than Elliott (246), he has thrown three fewer TDs (15) than Elliott (18) and both have thrown 13 interceptions this year.

• Indiana ranks ninth in the Big Ten in run defense, giving up 162.3 yards a game. Purdue, meanwhile, is even worse, giving up 171.4 yards a game.

• Indiana’s Tandon Doss is second in the conference with 911 receiving yards this season, 104 yards behind Purdue WR Keith Smith.

• SERIES HISTORY: Purdue 69, Indiana 39, ties 6 (Last meeting: Purdue 62, Indiana 10, Nov. 22, 2008)

Scouting The Offense:   Indiana’s passing game has been solid in recent weeks, and QB Ben Chappell has been efficient because he has had time to throw the football. The Hoosiers haven’t been all that explosive, but they have done a good job of staying on the field and putting together long drives. Chappell must do a better job of leading his receivers to give them a chance to pick up the all-important yards after the catch. Chappell has a tendency to throw the ball either to his receivers or behind them instead of allowing them to catch passes in stride.

The Hoosiers’ running attack has sputtered a bit in recent weeks, but that could be because IU was playing some of the better run defenses in the Big Ten. Darius Willis and Bryan Payton both run hard and know how to finish runs, and with Purdue ranking dead last in the conference vs. the run, look for the Hoosiers to try to establish the ground attack early to open the passing game.

Scouting The Defense:   Indiana needs to do a better job of wrapping up when it makes tackles. The Hoosiers did a good job of flowing to the ball last week vs. Penn State, but all too often the initial hit failed to bring down the Nittany Lion runner. IU must look to wrap up on tackles and has to hit through the Boilermakers to stop ballcarriers in their tracks. The pressure also will be on the Hoosier secondary to play tight defense and not allow Purdue to score on big plays. Giving IU’s pass rush time to be effective will be critical.

DEs Greg Middleton and Jammie Kirlew must be disruptive and put pressure on Purdue QB Joey Elliott early to try to get into his head. Middleton in particular loves to play against the Boilers and always enjoys a solid game. It’s Middleton’s final college game, and he hopes to impress pro scouts by playing at a high level in a rivalry game.

Quote To Note:   “In all honesty, we’re not talking about that. I think we have played hard every week—other than the Virginia game—and we’ve really concentrated on the process of what we have to do each and every day to get better. I think sometimes when all you talk about is, ‘This is a must-win or everything you’ve worked for is out the window,’ then you get away from what we’ve done pretty well. That’s play the next play. For us, that’s the next practice. That’s the approach we’re taking.”—Head coach Bill Lynch on whether the coaching staff is pointing out the importance of making sure the Hoosiers don’t lose again or the team’s bowl hopes are out the window.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: Purdue at Indiana, Nov. 21—Neither team will be going to a bowl game this season, which means the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket will be the de facto bowl for both squads. The Hoosiers won in 2007 before losing in 2008, and IU would love to pay Purdue back for a 52-point blowout in West Lafayette last season. There should be plenty of intensity and trash-talking in this one.

Keys To The Game:   Indiana has to take advantage of opportunities that are presented to it and can’t waste chances when Purdue turns the ball over. Getting the crowd into the game by getting off to a fast start will be critical for the Hoosiers, who desperately need a confidence boost after suffering some heartbreaking defeats this season. Indiana’s offense must convert third downs, and the defense must get off the field when Purdue is faced with third-and-long situations.

Players To Watch:  

MLB Matt Mayberry—Mayberry has been playing like a man possessed in recent weeks, and he won’t slow down for his final game. He has improved in coverage and will be a factor in the middle of the field.

DE Greg Middleton—Middleton’s speed will help him get around the edge on passing downs, but he can’t lose contain on Purdue’s Joey Elliott. Middleton must enjoy the best game of his career to give IU a boost up front.

QB Ben Chappell—Chappell can’t take many chances with the ball and has to be patient in the pocket. The junior sets the tone for the offense and must be prepared to be a leader if the game is close.

Roster Report:  

• Junior LB Tyler Replogle missed last week’s game vs. Penn State with the lingering effects of a concussion, but he is expected to be back this week vs. the Boilermakers.

• RB Darius Willis is practicing again and will play this week vs. Purdue after missing last week’s game.

• WR Tandon Doss is six receptions shy of taking over the No. 1 spot on IU’s single-season receptions list. He currently has 73 catches on the year.

• Indiana has expanded the student seating for the game from the usual 8,100 seats to more than 12,000. The game is expected to approach a sellout.