Indiana @ Purdue preview
Ross Ade Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2011 ) Purdue 33, Indiana 25
After a tumultuous start to its conference play, Purdue has a chance to extend its season and become bowl eligible for the second straight year. The Boilermakers can secure that accomplishment on Saturday with a victory over Big Ten rival Indiana. Ironically, the Hoosiers provided the final hurdle in last year's bid, and Purdue responded with a 33-25 victory. This season, the Boilermakers began with five consecutive losses to start conference play, but last weekend's 20-17 triumph over Illinois kept their postseason aspirations alive. Indiana lost for the seventh time in nine outings last weekend with a 45-22 setback to Penn State.
TV: 12 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Purdue -5.5
ABOUT INDIANA (4-7, 2-5 Big Ten): Cameron Coffman threw for 454 yards and two scores and favorite target Shane Wynn reeled in a Big Ten season-best 12 receptions in the loss. While the passing numbers were certainly impressive, the Hoosiers' defensive statistics have been staggering over the last two games. Taking into consideration Wisconsin's 62-14 throttling on Nov. 10, Indiana has yielded a stunning 1,151 yards in two weeks. On the flip side, the Hoosiers have mustered only 85 rushing yards in that span.
ABOUT PURDUE (5-6, 2-5): The Boilermakers are finding success on the ground as Akeem Shavers and Ralph Bolden combined for 191 rushing yards versus Illinois. The pair also totaled 166 yards in the previous week against Iowa. A recipe for another big day exists against Indiana, which is yielding 235 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Robert Marve has rebounded from his third torn ACL and thrown five touchdowns and no interceptions in his last four games.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Boilermakers are vying for their first three-game winning streak since 2007.
2. Indiana emerged victorious in its last trip to West Lafayette in 2010.
3. Purdue coach Danny Hope has yet to win in three attempts on Senior Day.
PREDICTION: Purdue 24, Indiana 20