‘We’ve got to take care of business’: Indiana football knows what’s at stake in season finale as it looks for bounce back performance

The season finale for Indiana football will be a first this year — the first time IU is looking to avoid a multi-game losing streak. Indiana’s loss to Ohio State on Saturday was a major moment for the program. The lights were bright and the entire country was watching. And for Indiana, it didn’t go as planned.

But there’s no time to rest as Indiana turns its attention to the Old Oaken Bucket and a matchup with Purdue to close out the regular season. And, there’s now a lot at stake — more than any other game this year.

“They all understand what a rivalry game is, and they know what’s at stake,” Cignetti told reporters on Monday. “I expect us to have a great week.”

When the College Football Playoff rankings are released on Tuesday, it’ll be the first time this season that Indiana will drop. After being unranked, and an afterthought, to start the year, Indiana now faces its first bit of true adversity. There’s no room for error anymore after its loss to the Buckeyes and their chance to cement its spot in the playoffs is gone.

While a win on Saturday against Purdue would almost certainly lock up a playoff spot, Cignetti isn’t wasting any time discussing the ‘what ifs’.

“Looking forward to this game,” Cignetti said about Purdue. “I said what I had to say about the College Football Playoff after the (Ohio State) game. The only thing I’m going to say today is we’re sitting in a good spot. But we’ve got to take care of business. That’s that.”

On paper, this isn’t an opponent that has been able to hang with Indiana this year. Purdue sits at the bottom of the Big Ten at 1-10 and has scored 10 points or less in six different games.

But this is just another game. This is the in-state rivalry for all the bragging rights, and the Old Oaken Bucket.

“Total focus on Purdue, rivalry game,” Cignetti said. “Obviously big game, Saturday night, 7:00, Thanksgiving week, weekend. Really need to get the students back. Need to pack the stadium. It’s got to be loud. It’s got to be a winning edge for us. We’ve got to have a great week of preparation and take care of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, put ourselves in the best position for Saturday.

“They’re a capable team, and they’re not having the kind of season they wanted to have, obviously … At this level, everybody is capable. We’ve got to play well and play very well.”

Records are thrown out at this point in the season when Purdue and Indiana football face off.

Indiana hasn’t won in the rivalry since 2019 — and all of the pressure will be on the Hoosiers this Saturday.

And Cignetti points to some key moments and games over the last few weeks that shows how Purdue can still show up when needed.

“Quarterback is a very talented guy. He’s got arm talent and really good escapability. Tight end is a weapon with 46 catches. The one receiver, 7, is a very explosive player, and they’ve got a speed guy, too, and then they’ve got some guys that make good contested catches,” Cignetti said. “I’ve always thought the running back was good. The center is an excellent player. Right tackle is very athletic. Scheme is good.

“Defensively they’ve given up some points, but they’ve tweaked a few things and they’re playing better defense. They’re a very capable football team.”

Saturday’s kick will be the first ever night matchup between the two schools and could turn into fireworks if Indiana ‘takes care of business’.

SEE ALSO: Despite loss to OSU, is Indiana football still deserving of CFP spot?: ‘The answer’s so obvious’

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