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We all knew it was likely that the Old Oaken Bucket would stay in Bloomington for another year, but it is now official, and not in the way many had hoped:
BREAKING: Purdue and Indiana have mutually agreed to cancel Saturday’s game in Bloomington because of rising COVID numbers in both programs. First time since 1919 the rivalry game will not be played. pic.twitter.com/BrxH3T1tme
— Eric Crawford (@ericcrawford) December 9, 2020
The people in 2121 are going to be pissed.
As mentioned above, it is the first time since 1919 that Purdue and Indiana will not play. It is also the first time EVER in the Bucket portion of the series, established in 1925, that the game will not be played.
With the cancellation Purdue is denied a chance at its first road win over a top 10 opponent since winning at Notre Dame in 1974. As of right now the Big Ten Champions Week is still on for next week, but that has to be in doubt as well. Purdue would very likely play Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, or Maryland, I suppose there is a very, very small chance they could move Indiana and Purdue to next week since the Big Ten also announced Ohio State will be able to go to the Big Ten championship game instead of Indiana.
It is more likely the season is over unless a bowl game offers an invite, as this year they can go to teams with losing records, but that also seems unlikely.
This also means Purdue will host consecutive games with Indiana since 1899-1900. Indiana hosted in consecutive years in 2013 and 2014 thanks to the Big Ten realignment.