Indiana @ Purdue preview
Ross-Ade Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 21, 2009 ) Purdue 38, Indiana 21
Other than the annual battle for the Old Oaken Bucket and state pride, there won't be much at stake in Saturday's Indiana-Purdue game.
The Boilermakers host the Hoosiers in the 113th meeting of the in-state schools. The Big Ten rivals are staggering going into the season finale for both teams.
Purdue (4-7, 2-5 Big Ten) has lost five consecutive games and saw its chances to become eligible for a bowl game end with last week's crushing 35-31 loss at Michigan State.
The Boilermakers led 31-20 early in the fourth quarter, but gave up two touchdowns in the last seven minutes for their toughest loss of the season.
Purdue quarterback Rob Henry completed 16 of 26 for 189 yards and two touchdowns, but threw a critical interception that helped start Michigan State's comeback.
After the lead was cut to 31-28, the Spartans blocked a punt and recovered at Purdue's 5-yard line, setting up the winning touchdown run by quarterback Kirk Cousins.
The Boilermakers haven't won since defeating Minnesota 28-17 on Oct. 16. Purdue has been outscored 189-70 in its losing streak, which includes a 49-0 loss to Ohio State, a 44-10 defeat to Illinois and a 34-13 loss to Wisconsin.
Purdue's problems look mild compared to what Indiana (4-7, 0-7) has gone through. In an attempt to become bowl eligible, Hoosiers coach Bill Lynch put together an easy non-conference schedule in hopes his team would clean up on the creampuffs and grab at least two wins in the Big Ten.
Too bad only part of the plan was successful. Indiana swept games with Towson, Western Kentucky, Akron and Arkansas State, but has come up empty in the conference.
The Hoosiers have had several close calls. Indiana lost by seven points to Michigan and dropped a three-point decision to Northwestern. Indiana's 18-13 loss to Iowa was sealed in the last minute when Demarlo Belcher dropped the game-winning touchdown in the end zone.
To their credit, the Hoosiers responded to their humiliating 83-20 loss at Wisconsin two weeks ago with a solid effort against Penn State. Indiana was tied with the Nittany Lions 24-24 in the fourth but a blocked punt resulted in the go-ahead touchdown for Penn State, which scored the final 17 points for a 41-24 win.
Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell will be playing his final collegiate game. He's completed 62.6 of his passes for 2,965 yards this season. Chappell has thrown 21 touchdown passes and only nine interceptions.
Purdue is looking for its third straight win over Indiana. The Boilermakers have won seven of the last eight games in the rivalry.
Indiana has lost 12 consecutive conference games.