Indiana Football: 3 keys to win over Purdue in Old Oaken Bucket matchup

The Indiana football program heads on the road for its final matchup of the 2023 season and it’s a trophy game — the biggest of its season.

Indiana faces Purdue in the98th installment of the Old Oaken Bucket game.

The Hoosiers are the only one-win team in Big Ten play this year.

What needs to happen for Indiana football to come away with a win? Here are three keys.

Indiana Football vs Purdue: Key players, notes and opening spread

Indiana needs to be able to slow down the Purdue rushing attack

Devin Mockobee and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are two of the best backs in the Big Ten and they both are extremely active in the Purdue backfield. Not only are they the only teammates in the league to both have at least 500 rushing yards, but they are also the only two players to average 5.0 yards per carry or more in Big Ten-only games. Mockobee is fourth in the league with 765 yards and Tracey Jr is eighth at 668 yards. In league games, Tracy has been averaging 6.8 yards per carry while Mockobee has averaged 5.6 yards per carry. The Boilermakers have averaged 328 rushing yards over the past two games, breaking 300 yards in both. Overall, Purdue ranks fourth in the Big Ten in rushing — at 167.9 yards per game. Indiana comes in ranked last in the league in rushing defense — giving up 150+ yards in five games this year. With Purdue quarterback Hudson Card coming off of an injury that kept him out last week, it’s imperative for Indiana to lock up the run game as best it can and face Card to make explosive plays through the air.

“They’re running different schemes and they’ve adapted throughout the season just to be able to match their talent up front with their talent in the backfield. I think they’ve got two elite running backs who do a good job of running what they do, and that’s obviously a huge part of it,” Indiana football head coach Tom Allen said. ” … Obviously, the proof is in the numbers and the film doesn’t lie.”

Indiana’s offensive line needs to win the line of scrimmage

While Purdue’s defense ranks last in total defense in the league, there are two notable players who are among the top in both the Big Ten and the nation. Linebackers Nic Scourton and Kydran Jenkins are extremely disruptive in the backfield and will certainly cause issues for Indiana on Saturday. Scourtin leads the Big Ten and is 19th nationally in sacks (8) while Jenkins ranks second in the conference and 23rd overall in the country in sacks (7.5). Scourtin has had at least a sack in four straight games. Jenkins and Scourtin rank second and third in the Big Ten respectively, in tackles for loss as well. Overall, Purdue’s entire defense ranks second in the league in sacks and eighth in the nation (33). It’s the most since the 2010 season for the Boilermakers. Opponents against Indiana have had at least three sacks in five of the last eight games.

Continue to use the rushing game to open up the entire offense

Brendan Sorsby has been very effective for Indiana this season but it’s all about the rushing game for Indiana as of late. Not only is it an effective way to move the ball down the field but it’s also a terrific way at opening up the passing game for Sorsby and Indiana. The Hoosiers have run for 162 and then 205 yards in the last two games with four touchdowns on the ground. They have averaged 4.2 yards per carry. Against Michigan State, both Trent Howland and Josh Henderson rushed for 70+ yards and averaged nearly 5.0 yards per carry. Add in the rushing ability of Sorsby and Indiana has formed a nice three-headed attack. Led by Howland who has had career-highs in yardage in four of the last six games, Indiana needs to continue pushing the running game first.

“It takes a lot of pressure off when you get to a second-and-six and you miss a throw and still have the run available on third down, or if you run it on first, get a second-and-six, and miss the throw. You still have the run available. You’re still in third-and-medium, which when you have the run game going, it provides you a lot more options,” Indiana football offensive coordinator Rod Carey said this week. “That is great comfort from everybody on that when you are in that situation. The key is that we have to stay in that situation, and it still has to be productive.”

The Boilermakers are giving up 141.3 rushing yards per game and just 3.9 yards per carry.

SEE ALSO: ‘You remember the intensity of the game’: Old Oaken Bucket provides one last test and motivator in a year of struggle for Indiana football

Make sure to follow Hoosier Illustrated, part of the Full Ride Network, on Twitter @Indiana_FRN, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date on all of the news, updates and coverage of Indiana University athletics. You can also listen to the Talking’ Bout the Hoosiers podcast on Spotify.