Alright guys, last game of the season- The Old Oaken Bucket. Two below average teams are going to stand toe-to-toe Saturday. And I think the rivalry match-up is going to be closer than you presume.
Both 3-8 teams. Both have an shake-ups at quarterback. Both have some breakout players (Kory Sheets- Purdue/ Thigpen, Lewis-IU). Expect Purdue QB Curtis Painter to start under center for the Boilers. Lynch has decided who's going to be the starter but he wouldn't say at Wednesday's practice. My best bet is Kellen Lewis. he took snaps with the first unit on offense. So did Chappell, but I could tell No.4 wasn't into it as much.
Painter vs. Lewis. Should be a good match-up. But IU will have their hands full with PU running back Kory Sheets more than Painter. Sheets has some size of Thigpen and expect him to get countless carries on Saturday. IU linebacker Will Patterson did not practice on Wednesday but you can best bet he will be in the lineup.
I'm hearing that a lot of you don't think IU stands a chance. Guys, hate to tell you, Purdue is not that much better. I personally think they were a more letdown this year than the Hoosiers.
Both teams, however, have a lot to play for. You obviously know it's going to be the last time the seniors suit up for a collegiate game and, of course, it's PU coach Joe Tiller's finale. IU wants to ruin Tiller's day, no doubt about it. This game is very important for Lynch and his coaching staff. It's a rivalry game, on ESPN2, it's his opportunity to show the naiton what's up his sleeve. Lynch needs to deliever more than anybody in this game. There's a lot of people calling for his head, so coach can cease some of the skepticism if he captures the bucket for the second, consecutive year.
If Purdue wins, it's murder for IU. They desperately need a turnaround and it has to start this weekend. If the Hoosiers loss, there's no telling how the fan base will react at the start of next season. IU needs to attract more fans.
What do you think is going to happen this weekend? Who captures the Old Oaken Bucket? Which team needs this win more than the other?
