| Indiana relied on special teams and explosive plays to manufacture a win last week, and while this would be two straight "pride only" wins to end the season, the opportunity to, depending on what happens Friday, knock their biggest rivals out of the Big Ten Championship Game, would be pretty damn satisfying. The formula has to be the same for the Hoosiers, who scored on runs of 34 and 79, plus an 88 yard kick return, a Michigan State turnover inside their own red zone, and two blocked field goals. Indiana's six scoring drives last week consisted of 4 plays, 1 play, no plays, 4 plays, 9 plays, 2 plays. One scoring drive of more than 4 plays. The Hoosiers Big Ten worst run offense won the day against Michigan State's Big Ten worst run defense. But even after that, Indiana's run offense is still dead last in the conference in both rushing ypg and ypc. That's how far behind they were. Purdue's run defense is squarely middle of the pack in the conference, which might be good enough, if Indiana is still completely one dimensional behind Dexter Williams. Williams completed just 2-7 passes, and only one completion occurred in regulation. And they were still largely reliant on those explosive plays. Their two long touchdown runs boosted their ypc from 3.4 to 5.8. For Purdue, they will know by Friday evening what is at stake. If Nebraska can upset Iowa, Purdue is playing for their first trip to the Big Ten Championship Game. If they can't, it just trying to improve their bowl status, and win the Oaken Bucket for the fourth time in five tries (with a convenient skip in 2020 against the best Indiana team in two generations). I expect the Boilermakers to be plenty motivated either way, with Aidan O'Connell starting to play better, like he did in 2021, and in non conference play, after a rough start to Big Ten play. The biggest issue with him might be who is going to snap him the ball. Jeff Brohm confirmed that center Gus Hartwig, the leader and best player on Purdue's offensive line will be out. Josh Kaltenberger finished the Northwestern game, and likely gets the nod, but outside of O'Connell, Hartwig is probably the most important player to Purdue on that side of the ball. The Hoosiers were playing like probably the second worst team in the conference for the past couple months, and found a way to win last week while getting outgained by 250 yards. I don't think that changes who I think they are. |
