Hammer and Rails - 2019 Old Oaken Bucket Game: Indiana (7-4, 4-4) at Purdue (4-7, 3-5) Game CenterPurdue's Okayest Bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52787/Hammer_And_Rails_favicon..png2019-12-01T14:00:00-05:00http://www.hammerandrails.com/rss/stream/207457332019-12-01T14:00:00-05:002019-12-01T14:00:00-05:00The Whistlstop Tour: Week 14 of Big Ten Football
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Indiana at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1sqqqWFzoJ02WVaB9NGNaQxkRLM=/0x0:3712x2475/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65804448/usa_today_13732556.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Another season is in the books, at least for Purdue. </p> <p id="hHLbjC">Another football season has come and gone. The final weekend of the season saw Ohio State dominate Michigan and Wisconsin ruin Minnesota’s season. Purdue tried to cancel #9Windiana, but couldn’t quite do so. </p>
<p id="0wLMkt">Everything still sucks. </p>
<p id="Un8VYE"><strong>Iowa 27, Nebraska 24</strong></p>
<p id="QGptf6">Iowa put its kicker on scholarship after <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2019/11/30/20988518/iowa-hawkeyes-football-morning-after-nebraska-cornhuskers-and-the-regular-season-keith-duncan-bhgp">booting the Cornhuskers</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="8Gpcqc">In fact, this might have been one of the best years record wise for a Hawkeye team with a non-mobile quarterback. I love <span><strong>Nate Stanley</strong></span> and the heart and soul that he brings every single week, not to mention his legendary quarterback sneak, but he makes the expression “molasses in January” seem like the hare in the ‘Tortoise and the Hare’ fable. The years with the best win-loss success in recent memory have been led by more mobile quarterbacks like <span><strong>C.J. Beathard</strong></span> (2015 - 12 wins), <span><strong>Ricky Stanzi</strong></span> (2009 - 11 wins), and Drew Tate (2004 - 10 wins). Will Spencer Petras or <span><strong>Peyton Mansell</strong></span> be more mobile next season? Absolutely. Will this lead to a more prolific offense? Possibly, only time will tell.</p></blockquote>
<p id="hWQgyQ">Nebraska will head into the offseason frustrated and just 4-8 against the Big Ten West under <a href="https://www.cornnation.com/2019/11/30/20988675/the-morning-after-loss-to-iowa-is-a-reflection-of-nebraska-footballs-2019-season-huskers-hawkeyes">Scott Frost</a>:</p>
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<p id="WtraS4">Nebraska needed the win against a motivated <a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/"><strong>Iowa Hawkeyes</strong></a> team in order to qualify for a bowl. There is an extremely long shot that they may qualify as a five-win team but we might as well assume the 2019 season is over for the Nebraska football team after the loss to Iowa.</p>
<p id="XaWCOa">In many ways the 27-24 loss was a great reflection of the season. Missed tackles leading to huge plays. Substandard special teams, especially on kick-off coverage. Rotation of quarterbacks throughout. Unable to close on drives. The defense playing well in chunks but unable to close the deal. And oh ya. Six different kickers.</p>
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<p id="STnFfS"><strong>Indiana 44, Purdue 41 2 OT</strong></p>
<p id="yC0Ahj">Over at Crimson Quarry the dream of a nine win season is still alive as Indiana has finally figured out the recipe for beating a bunch of crappy teams (<a href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com/2019/11/30/20989627/three-things-indiana-44-purdue-41">and yes, Purdue is one of them)</a>: </p>
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<p id="0x13Ty">The Austin Starr Kick is always going to hold the sentimental vote but Saturday’s game might be the best game in the history of the Old Oaken Bucket. It was only the second overtime game in the history of the rivalry, which is hard to believe.</p>
<p id="9IamvM">The game had a bit of everything. It had lots of scoring, some big defensive plays, highlight reel plays, circus catches and lots of drama all with a bucket on the line.</p>
<p id="YeCBZz">For Indiana, though, there wasn’t a more fitting ending to the game than the ball being in <span><strong>Peyton Ramsey</strong></span>’s hands. First, the play design to get to the one-yard line was terrific. The decision to hurry to the line and run a sneak given everything Purdue was trying to do defensively was a great call as well. Special shoutout to Ronnie Walker for the push.</p>
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<p id="1DKTzS"><strong>Ohio State 56, Michigan 27</strong></p>
<p id="yWiFsr">The Buckeyes continued jsut beating ass on their way to the playoff. They are now 30-1 in their last 31 games, but no one has any idea <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2019/11/30/20989187/osu-michigan-college-football-2019-recap-highlights">what happened in that on</a>e:</p>
<blockquote><p id="GucJsV">Ohio State has now won The Game eight-straight times — the longest winning streak for the Buckeyes in the history of the series. UM head coach Jim Harbaugh now falls to 0-5 in the matchup, losing all four games against Urban Meyer and now his first against Day. The Wolverines had some opportunities in the first half to really give OSU a scare, but thanks in part to a fumbled snap and a few incredibly costly penalties, a happy rendition of “Carmen Ohio” got to ring through Michigan Stadium when all was said and done.</p></blockquote>
<p id="1BEqm1">Michigan continues to be good, but<a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com/football/2019/11/30/20989545/michigan-football-justin-fields-ohio-state-game-quotes-2019"> only third place good</a>:</p>
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<p id="K9YCXS">Ohio State quarterback <span><strong>Justin Fields</strong></span> got to experience the Ohio State rivalry for the first time on Saturday, and he had a great day during The Game. Fields went 14-of-25 for 302 yards and 4 touchdowns. When OSU needed Fields to make a play, he came up clutch time and time again.</p>
<p id="ThvrTk">At Fields’ post-game presser, he made a comment that caught the attention of college football fans worldwide. Fields claimed that Ohio State takes The Game vs. Michigan more seriously than the Wolverines.</p>
<p id="mp987U">“I think we just take it more seriously than they do,” Fields said. “We prepare for it all year, like (coach) said, we’re preparing for them next year right now so I think it just means more at Ohio State so that’s pretty much how I think the bigger reason why we have more success than they do.”</p>
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<p id="I4cn3i"><strong>Wisconsin 38, Minnesota 17</strong></p>
<p id="zHtw3S">It was a snowy day in Minneapolis and the Badgers took a big <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2019/11/30/20988046/grading-wisconsins-badgers-38-17-win-over-minnesota-golden-gophers-axe-jack-coan-jonathan-taylor">dump on the Gophers’ parade</a>:</p>
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<p id="o4fFTp">I tuned into this game right before <span><strong>Zach Hintze</strong></span>’s second quarter field goal narrowed the score to a 7-3 deficit for the <a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/"><strong>Wisconsin Badgers</strong></a> (I will explain why in the bonus grades). But in the final 40 minutes of play, Wisconsin thoroughly whooped up on the Minnesota Gophers 35-3 until Minnesota got a garbage time touchdown.</p>
<p id="vfHsyf">In the end, Paul Bunyan’s Axe is home because the No. 12 Badgers (10-2 overall, 7-2 B1G) capsized the No. 8 Gophers (10-2 overall, 7-2 B1G) by the thorough margin of 38-17.</p>
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<p id="eHMxw3">Minnesota was all set for Pasadena with GameDay in town, <a href="https://www.thedailygopher.com/2019/11/30/20989438/minnesota-football-wisconsin-wins-paul-bunyans-axe-and-the-big-ten-west-beating-minnesota-38-17">but Wisconsin always ruins GameDay</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="uJrUVP">Missed opportunities throughout this game for Minnesota, but also one where Wisconsin owned the line of scrimmage and didn’t make mistakes. Wisconsin came to TCF Bank Stadium and beat the Gophers. They move on to play next weekend in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/big-ten-championship-game"><strong>Big Ten Championship</strong></a> game against Ohio State.</p></blockquote>
<p id="H3FAUK"><strong>Penn State 27, Rutgers 6</strong></p>
<p id="tOskjY">The <a href="https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2019/11/30/20989614/penn-state-football-bsd-three-takeaways-from-penn-states-27-6-win-over-rutgers">Nittany Lions were bored</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="eJ6hzx">This isn’t an excuse, as it’s their job to care. But it was very clear from the jump that Penn State players wanted to be anywhere else but on the football field against Rutgers on Saturday. And who could blame them, really? You just lost a big game. The Scarlett Knights are a dumpster fire. It was cold, and you had to practice over Thanksgiving break. All of that manifested itself in a less than inspired performance in the win. The tenacity and effort level seemed to tick up after halftime, but there was a still a distinct lack of sharpness.</p></blockquote>
<p id="El2uhA">Rutgers officially goes down as the worst offense in Big Ten play of the modern era with only 51 points in 9 Big Ten games. They have now lost 21 consecutive Big Ten games, the most sicne Northwestern lost 38 <a href="https://www.onthebanks.com/2019/11/30/20988628/rutgers-football-comes-up-short-at-no-10-12-penn-state-in-season-finale-langan-campanile-pacheco">in a row from 1978-1982</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="mMuvbb">Every year it seems someone on the Rutgers defense is involved in a disproportionate number of plays for better or worse. This year it was <span>Christian Izien</span> (though last week <span>Tim Barrow</span> had the mantle). There were a lot of mistakes, but <span>Izien</span> plays hard and saved numerous touchdowns with hustle tackles.</p></blockquote>
<p id="hvGJIV"><strong>Northwestern 29, Illinois 10</strong></p>
<p id="xpbs62">Northwestern breaks <a href="https://www.insidenu.com/2019/11/30/20989217/rapid-reaction-northwestern-wins-fifth-straight-hat-over-illinois-lovie-smith-pat-fitzgerald">out and wins a game</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="k0eBmg">A usually anemic Northwestern offense exploded by way of a run-heavy scheme that featured a unique group of backs and a heavy dosage of <span><strong>Andrew Marty</strong></span> carries. In his first start, the Ohio native ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first NU QB since <span><strong>Clayton Thorson</strong></span> in 2015 to cross 100 yards, while the team as a whole picked up 378 yards on the ground.</p></blockquote>
<p id="Qomkwp">The Illini unfortunately reverted to the form <a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2019/11/30/20989181/illinois-fighting-illini-football-northwestern-wildcats-senior-day-ncaa-big-ten">we expected from them</a>:</p>
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<p id="qqpZCA"> A year ago, Illinois’ last home game was a heartbreaking loss. This year, Illinois ended its season with another loss, only this one was a different type of heartbreak.</p>
<p id="8zmDpE">In rainy, 40-degree temps, both teams felt the impact of the conditions, but Northwestern (3-9, 1-8 Big Ten) took home the Land of the Lincoln trophy for the fifth consecutive time and beat Illinois 29-10<strong> </strong>for its first conference win this season.</p>
<p id="Wnaxf2">With Illinois already bowl eligible after its win against Michigan State, there were still a few things at stake: ending the season with its best record since 2014, beating the enemy up North (as Lovie would say) and playing into a better bowl game.</p>
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<p id="H0SEHM"><strong>Michigan State 19, Maryland 16</strong></p>
<p id="ptadru">Michigan State is going <a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com/2019/11/30/20989088/game-thread-maryland-terrapins-vs-michigan-state-spartans">to a bowl, but wh</a>y:</p>
<blockquote><p id="rTpgZh">Let’s be frank, this season didn’t turn out how any of us wanted it to, but MSU still has a chance to finish it out on a positive note.</p></blockquote>
<p id="jP4Hcb">Maryland’s <a href="https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terps-football/2019/11/30/20989422/maryland-football-michigan-state-big-ten-finale-final-score-stats-recap-summary-matchup-results">season is mercifully over</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p id="hiQcHG">The final drive was symbolic of Maryland errors all game long, continuously failing to take advantage of key opportunities. It seemed like Mike Locksley’s squad didn’t stand a chance coming into this one, entering as 22-point underdogs. Maryland kept it close, but it just couldn’t finish when it mattered most.</p></blockquote>
<p id="FI1HQR"><strong>Non-Conference Opponents:</strong></p>
<p id="h63h5E"><strong>UNLV 33, Nevada 30 OT - </strong>A fight managed to break out at the <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=401117558">end of this one</a>. </p>
<p id="bRRjbi"><strong>Tennessee 28, Vanderbilt 10 - </strong>The Commodores <a href="https://www.anchorofgold.com/2019/11/30/20989868/stream-of-consciousness-thoughts-on-the-2019-football-season-to-forget">closed out a disappointing season</a>.</p>
<p id="bNICJS"><strong>West Virginia 20, TCU 17 - </strong>The Horned Frogs <a href="https://www.frogsowar.com/2019/11/29/20988380/west-virginia-20-tcu-17-no-bowling-for-the-frogs">will miss a bowl after finishing 5-7</a>. </p>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2019/12/1/20989865/week-14-big-ten-football-recapBoilerTMill2019-12-01T10:00:00-05:002019-12-01T10:00:00-05:00Indiana 44, Purdue 41: In Tweets
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Indiana at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-AOZN2aDOR5rj47B2oXaPTeeIWs=/0x134:4383x3056/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65803692/usa_today_13732718.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It is one final In Tweets for 2019</p> <p id="vA9UVE">The Bucket was lost, we never saw <span>Rondale Moore</span> after September, and basketball also lost in overtime. </p>
<p id="QXSZIP">Everything sucks. Here is In Tweets. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Me getting ready for both Purdue/IU and Michigan/Ohio State. <a href="https://t.co/xESVvYL6oW">pic.twitter.com/xESVvYL6oW</a></p>— Dr. J (no not that one) (@Air_Force_Juan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Air_Force_Juan/status/1200810611233284096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“Self-respecting” is making some assumptions.</p>— Nikolai Denmark (@NikolaiDenmark) <a href="https://twitter.com/NikolaiDenmark/status/1200815376898109440?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I mean, preventive officiating can be done, but THAT? Ref show</p>— Robert Baker (@kerba1123) <a href="https://twitter.com/kerba1123/status/1200827727047249920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You aren’t going to win this game with field goals. I miss the old Jeff Brohm</p>— Beneath The Paint (@BeneathThePaint) <a href="https://twitter.com/BeneathThePaint/status/1200834811625181184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">purdue left two guys wide open on third and goal. <br><br>that’s the tweet.</p>— the eight win havers (@crimsonquarry) <a href="https://twitter.com/crimsonquarry/status/1200826683756036096?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ramsey dives in with one of the footballs. <a href="https://t.co/UD1A0852wl">https://t.co/UD1A0852wl</a></p>— Kyle Charters (@KyleCharters79) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleCharters79/status/1200832653395673090?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Of course, IU scores and Shea Patterson fumbles at the same time.</p>— Dr. J (no not that one) (@Air_Force_Juan) <a href="https://twitter.com/Air_Force_Juan/status/1200841185096417280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Keys to Purdue’s offseason <br>1. Find a defense. <br>2. Fix the offensive line. <br>3. Drive dump truck of cash up to Levine’s Chick fil a to get him back.</p>— Jumbo Heroes (@jumboheroes) <a href="https://twitter.com/jumboheroes/status/1200842317021798400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Going to start building a fallout shelter at halftime. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TheApocalypseIsNear?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TheApocalypseIsNear</a></p>— Troy Stiffler (@TroyStiffler) <a href="https://twitter.com/TroyStiffler/status/1200843640190459904?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">You have been a Purdue fan long enough to know this answer. <a href="https://t.co/FBWkNjrOBX">https://t.co/FBWkNjrOBX</a></p>— Hammer & Rails (@HammerAndRails) <a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails/status/1200858354320494592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">whop pulling a train whistle after scoring his second TD of the day against purdue oh my god build him a statue</p>— the eight win havers (@crimsonquarry) <a href="https://twitter.com/crimsonquarry/status/1200858357340475392?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This is the Zander Horvath that we thought we would see at the beginning of the season.</p>— Kyle Charters (@KyleCharters79) <a href="https://twitter.com/KyleCharters79/status/1200865594268160000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Agreed <a href="https://t.co/PHdBj4sRgD">pic.twitter.com/PHdBj4sRgD</a></p>— Raymond Mahon (@RayTheMahon) <a href="https://twitter.com/RayTheMahon/status/1200868011286114304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">David Bell: <a href="https://t.co/J1fZlhihFo">pic.twitter.com/J1fZlhihFo</a></p>— Tyler Trent Fan Account (@Holmes_y_Rails) <a href="https://twitter.com/Holmes_y_Rails/status/1200872021762154497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">At what point do I call this relationship toxic? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/purdue?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#purdue</a></p>— Erin Couch-Gottfried (@ErinCouch) <a href="https://twitter.com/ErinCouch/status/1200860192440770560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just call it a tie, the best links on the chain are the IP ones.</p>— Tyler Trent Fan Account (@Holmes_y_Rails) <a href="https://twitter.com/Holmes_y_Rails/status/1200877696072458240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/HammerAndRails?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HammerAndRails</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JustTMill?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JustTMill</a> <br><br>I think this meme board helped Purdue overcome a 18 point deficit and force an OT! <a href="https://t.co/RdckLUKPH1">pic.twitter.com/RdckLUKPH1</a></p>— Isaac Romig (@IsaacRomig1) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsaacRomig1/status/1200877155066011650?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">OF COURSE there's a bounce pass in Indiana-Purdue.</p>— RossWB (@RossWB) <a href="https://twitter.com/RossWB/status/1200879716061908998?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">How will Purdue Basketball hurt me emotionally like Purdue Football</p>— Kyle Holderfield (@KholderfHR) <a href="https://twitter.com/KholderfHR/status/1200925238852247555?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"the Iron Bowl will have to wait for Indiana/Purdue to end" he said, not drunk at all</p>— BUM CHILLUPS (@edsbs) <a href="https://twitter.com/edsbs/status/1200876275088408576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 30, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This was eerily prescient:<br><br>3 point basketball win.<br>3 point 2 OT football loss.<br>3 point OT basketball loss. <a href="https://t.co/oXax5TWkun">https://t.co/oXax5TWkun</a></p>— Travis Miller (@JustTMill) <a href="https://twitter.com/JustTMill/status/1200968493979582467?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2019</a>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2019/12/1/20989687/indiana-44-purdue-41-twitter-recapBoilerTMill2019-11-30T19:34:05-05:002019-11-30T19:34:05-05:00Indiana 44, Purdue 41: Hope is a Good Thing
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Football: Indiana at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mZ2D3m48LO_xCthqhKwayixDWIY=/0x0:3644x2429/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65802143/usa_today_13732290.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Yes, Purdue was 4-8, but there is actual hope, still.</p> <p id="WDtPpF">Purdue’s first game of the season was a loss where the Boilermakers never trailed until the final snap. </p>
<p id="03ltLI">The final game of the season was lost on the final snap. </p>
<p id="SoHIR7">In between, it was a season of disappointment. Arguably, Purdue was about two plays from the postseason. If the <span>Kenneth Major</span> pass break up is ruled an interception Purdue has a win in Reno. Today, if <span>J.D. Dellinger</span> converts on a late first half field goal or if <span>Milton Wright</span> hangs on to a late 4th down pass to get Purdue in field goal range, Purdue wins. Like last year, it was a season of close calls. In the last 13 games in Ross-Ade Stadium Purdue has lost on the final play of the game four times now (Eastern michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana). </p>
<p id="KDyHdv">Of course, there are other factors in there as well. The bombed in late field goal at Nevada is meaningless if Purdue doesn’t blow a 17 point lead. Today Purdue threw an interception in the end zone, lost a fumble, and twice failed on fourth down in addition to missing a field goal. It is also a lot harder to win when you’re down 18 points deep into the third quarter. </p>
<p id="IAsml1">That’s not to say Prudue didn’t try. Xander Horvath had a career day, breaking runs like the Alstott of old as Purdue had a running game for the first time all season. <span>Aidan O’Connell</span> continued his amazing run of play by throwing for more than 400 yards and three touchdowns. If Wright doesn’t drop the 4th down pass with 7 seconds left <span>Dellinger</span> at least gets a chance to give O’Connell a third game-winning drive in the final two minutes in four games. </p>
<p id="HrT4Ml"><span>Brycen Hopkins</span> and <span>David Bell</span> were excellent as well. <span>Hopkins</span> saved his best for last and showed why he will be playing on Sundays next season. Bell finished the season with over 1,000 yards and, with a healthy <span>Rondale Moore</span> next season, will headline an explosive offense. O’Connell has made his case as the starter next season by throwing for almost 1,000 yards in the last four games. Much of that depends on if <span>Elijah Sindelar</span> returns, but would anyone be shocked or even disappointed if O’Connell starts at Nebraska to begin next season. </p>
<p id="j2Mfzq">Unfortuantely, all that was not enough. Purdue’s defense played well in spurts. it was enough to get back into the game, but not close it out. In both overtimes the Hoosiers converted a third and long to either score a touchdown or set one up. They had several other plays on the day too. In what was perhaps the best offensive output of the season for Purdue the defense struggled to get stops and did not force a single turnover. In fact, had <span>Logan Justus</span> not missed three field goals after not missing one all season Indiana likely wins going away. Purdue forced only three punts and gave up 11 of 19 third downs. </p>
<p id="b2BMhZ">It only capped off a disappointing year. In August we had dreams of 8 wins. Instead we have eight losses and the Bucket is back in exile. It doesn’t matter that it happened against the best Indiana team in a quarter century (and Indiana is legitimately good), Purdue failed to get it done and it stings. It stings evenw ith freshmen playing all over the field and arguably the team’s best four players (<span>Sindelar</span>, <span>Moore</span>, <span>Markus Bailey</span>, and <span>Lorenzo Neal</span>) all not playing a single down in the final eight games. </p>
<p id="TohXJb">We have to hope this was a minor setback before a big leap forward next year. Through everything, Purdue fought hard all season. It was completely overmatched at Penn State, but played a respectable final three quarters. It fought back for wins against Northwstern and Nebraska. It fought back from down 18 against a pretty good Indiana team and at least had a chance late. </p>
<p id="WAX75m">It won’t get any easier next year. A trip to Nebraska in week 1 will be tough. Memphis in the home opener looks scary. Triple Option fun against Air Force followed by a trip to Boston College won’t be easy. Purdue also has to go to Michigan, Minnesota, and Indiana as the Hoosiers have dramatically improved and will be tough. If Purdue returns to the postseason with 6-7 wins it sets the stage for what could be an excellent 2021 season. If not, it is time to question Jeff Brohm a little. The avalanche of injuries this season was staggering and Purdue still persevered. 4-8 next season won’t cut it, however. </p>
<p id="XKISUG">The good news is that is nine months away, and the Boilers lose less than a dozen players off the roster. Many of the seniors that walked for senior day today missed most of the season anyway. The wounds of this year will heal and Purdue will be tough next season. <span>Nick Holt</span> has a lot ot improve on defense, but the offense could be positively lethal. </p>
<p id="5GkIeg">Even then, the Bucket is gone, and for the first time in over 1,000 days Purdue has a loss to Indiana in men’s basketball or football. </p>
<p id="dFFLUC"></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2019/11/30/20989636/indiana-44-purdue-41-final-score-recapBoilerTMill2019-11-30T10:00:00-05:002019-11-30T10:00:00-05:00Indiana at Purdue: GameThread and How to Watch
<figure>
<img alt="NCAA Basketball: Louisville at Purdue" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/T30VR79cYgielFuUz4spqEUMHEs=/0x0:5472x3648/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65800430/usa_today_10445291.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>COME. AND. TAKE. IT. | Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>COME. AND. TAKE. IT. </p> <p id="UgLyYj">It’s one last time for Purdue football until September 5th when we open the season at Nebraska. Since I am planning on going to that game it means a loss, but at least that will be the last “first” visit to a B1G venue. </p>
<p id="TLBaHp">In the meantime, we have a Bucket to keep today and a hashtag to cancel with a nice home win. </p>
<ul>
<li id="gYlK7U">
<strong>Opponent: </strong><a href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com/"><strong>Indiana Hoosiers</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="rjDWcv">
<strong>Current Record: </strong>7-4, 4-4 Big Ten</li>
<li id="3FlNuD">
<strong>Stadium: </strong><a href="https://www.hammerandrails.com/football/2017/9/6/16228612/purdue-football-ross-ade-game-day-guide"><strong>Ross-Ade Stadium</strong></a>; Grass; Capacity of<strong> </strong>57,236</li>
<li id="23UFsq">
<strong>Tickets: </strong>Starting at <a href="https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=7219&awinaffid=173843&clickref=HammerAndRails%7Cxid:fr1574865000015bdi&p=[[https%253A%252F%252Fwww.stubhub.com%252Fpurdue-boilermakers-football-tickets-purdue-boilermakers-football-west-lafayette-ross-ade-stadium-11-30-2019%252Fevent%252F103950536%252F%253Fsort%253Dprice%252Basc]]" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>$30 on StubHub</strong></a>, Starting at <a href="https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8532386/type/am/sid/sbn%7Cxid:fr1574865000015ddg/https://seatgeek.com/indiana-hoosiers-at-purdue-boilermakers-football-tickets/ncaa-football/2019-11-30-12-pm/4594324" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><strong>$32 on SeatGeek</strong></a><strong> </strong>(fees included)</li>
<li id="MWeKgF">
<strong>TV and Kickoff:</strong> ESPN2, 12:00 PM EST</li>
<li id="aqYHoX">
<strong>Online Streaming: </strong><a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/"><strong>Watch ESPN</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="JZ3v7M">
<strong>Satellite Radio: </strong>Sirius XM Channel 84</li>
<li id="ohjJsc">
<strong>Odds: </strong>Indiana 7 point favorite</li>
<li id="C69Q4w">
<strong>All-Time Series: </strong>Purdue leads series 74-41-6</li>
<li id="UVBFMM"><strong>SB Nation Blog Representation: </strong></li>
<li id="gShrso">
<strong>Weather Forecast:</strong><a href="https://www.wunderground.com/hourly/us/wi/madison/53703/date/2019-11-23"><strong> </strong></a><a href="https://www.wunderground.com/hourly/us/in/west-lafayette/40.43,-86.91/date/2019-11-30"><strong>High around 50 and rain</strong></a>
</li>
<li id="4uZRc2">
<strong>2018 Indiana Record: </strong>5-7, 2-7 Big Ten</li>
<li id="Rtezbh">
<strong>2018 Indiana Postseason: </strong>None</li>
<li id="wh7ZSP">
<strong>Indiana Head Coach: </strong>Tom Allen (17-19 at Indiana, same CFB record)</li>
</ul>
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https://www.hammerandrails.com/2019/11/30/20985382/indiana-purdue-gamethread-and-how-to-watchBoilerTMill2019-11-29T14:00:00-05:002019-11-29T14:00:00-05:00Friday Drankin’: Function Brewing
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<img alt="A sports fan carries a beer after the alcohol products were..." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dKMMTCjG9n_9EcHBBOksUk0Hsgk=/0x0:5000x3333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65797416/1166819496.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jeremy Hogan/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It’s the season finale of Friday Drankin’</p> <p id="cIahXa">Bloomingotn has some really good beer. Upland is their most famous brewery and it has some very good offerings. Last season I featured Switchyard Brewing in this spot, then tried it out after the Bucket Game, you know, for scientific purposes. There are still more great breweries to explore in Bloomington, and today we’ll take a look at Function Brewing.</p>
<p id="sa44OF"><a href="http://functionbrewing.com/"><strong>Function Brewing</strong></a></p>
<p id="K8rptV">108 E Sixth Street</p>
<p id="Kl9nLi">Bloomington, IN 47408</p>
<p id="v2vjoz">Function Brewing is pretty close to downtown Bloomington and it is roughly a mile and a half from Memorial Stadium. It is an all ages taproom with full food service too. The food sounds amazing, too:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="sFnpS2">Our food is made with the highest quality ingredients and housemade components. We make our own: salad dressings, pickled vegetables, roasted vegetables, jam, pimento cheese, hummus, baba ghanoush, pesto, whipped cheeses, marinated olives, curry cashews, chimmichurri, pecorino crackers, crostini, croutons, aiolis, and many more sauces, items, and components.</p>
<p id="r1QI6w">If we don’t make it in house, we source local, high quality products from local artisans, farmers, and businesses. We go to great lengths to completely avoid high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oil in any of our food.</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="QE48x4">As for the beer, they don’t have a lot of detailed descriptions, but they are regularly expiramenting and trying new things:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="ngPr6v">We have a rotation of twelve made in-house beers to choose from. We’re lovers of all varieties, so we don’t focus on specific styles, but brew what our hearts desire.</p>
<p id="JlI3kJ">To date over 220 unique beers have been brewed (some as festival-only releases). Some of our favorite or most unique include:</p>
<p id="OpBauD">Tangent IPA, Hefeweizen w/ coconut and pineapple, Tart Cherry-Lime Golden Ale, Hazy IPA, Nut Brown, Coffee Milk Stout, Spiced Rye, Smoked Porter, Honey Brown, Toasted Rye Pale, Session IPA, Rye IPA, Oatmeal Brown, Saison, Roggenbier, Robust Porter, Jalapeno-Pineapple IPA, Orange-Chocolate Stout, Chipotle Stout, Szechaun Peppercorn Pale, Banana Stout, Smoked IPA, Spiced Apple Ale……….</p>
<p id="Xdczmf">We love to offer new beers, so our selection will always change.</p>
<p id="0HCzbM"><strong>On Tap Now</strong></p>
<p id="6jP79O">Tangent IPA</p>
<p id="lwraie">Acute Blonde</p>
<p id="DxpAXr">Digit Red Ale</p>
<p id="XikaC8">Theorem Milk Stout</p>
<p id="ntLiDg">Scalar Smoked Amber</p>
<p id="s7JEDS">Work NE IPA</p>
<p id="VExPRJ">Hypatia Belgian Golden Strong</p>
<p id="BmMvHe">Rhombus Roggenbier</p>
<p id="vKpzMD">Hypotenuse Robust Porter</p>
<p id="Qqnyar">ArcCot Spiced Apple Brown</p>
<p id="zCTXmc">Newton’s Nut Brown</p>
<p id="Yi8iOg">Collingwood English Golden Ale</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="4HBqnJ">I tried Switchyard last year and it was pretty good, so this is probably a stop at next year’s Bucket Game. </p>
<p id="oW088L"></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2019/11/29/20986627/friday-drankin-function-brewing-reviewBoilerTMill2019-11-29T10:00:00-05:002019-11-29T10:00:00-05:00Week 14 Big Ten Preview
<figure>
<img alt="Minnesota v Wisconsin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ZYV-7WXN8TSYePa8OJQn2d0KSHY=/0x0:4455x2970/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65796338/1072334440.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Axes! Buckets! Hats!</p> <p id="uwhxTb">Rivalry Week is here. It is time for trophies to be put up for grabs and for Michigan State and Penn State to pretend that Maryland and Rutgers, respectively, are important and rivals. The biggest game of the week is Wisconsin at Minnesota, where a Gopher win would very likely put them in Pasadena for the first time in almost 60 years regardless of what happens in Indianapolis. </p>
<p id="j6u4U0">This week we also have a Friday game in Lincoln.</p>
<p id="LTd3Uj"><strong>Friday</strong></p>
<p id="MpBH0z"><strong>#17 Iowa (8-3, 5-3) at Nebraska (5-6, 3-5) 2:30pm, BTN</strong></p>
<p id="TzGAdb"><a href="https://www.blackheartgoldpants.com/2019/11/27/20985094/matchup-to-watch-nebraska-cornhuskers-adrian-martinez-vs-iowa-hawkeyes-run-defense-aj-epenesa-bhgp"><strong>Black Heart Gold Pants Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="UJfLw1"><a href="https://www.cornnation.com/2019/11/27/20983269/reviewing-the-2019-iowa-hawkeyes"><strong>Corn Nation Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="f4ReVs">Nebraska needs a win for a bowl game, but I am not seeing it. Iowa has won four in a row in the series and five of the last six. It also does not help that Nebraska is just not that good. They make way too many mistakes and Iowa just keeps turning mistakes into field goals, like they did against Purdue. <strong>Iowa 26, Nebraska 20</strong></p>
<p id="EAK5a6"><strong>Saturday</strong></p>
<p id="NQUDtD"><strong>Indiana (7-4, 4-4) at Purdue (4-7, 3-5) Noon, ESPN2</strong></p>
<p id="xJu7MS"><a href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com/"><strong>Crimson Quarry Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="fxEhMd">Not much would be funnier than Purdue beating Indiana in its best season in a quarter century with a fourth string walk-on quarterback and a bunch of freshmen playing due to injury. #9Windiana has been a thing all season, but I would love to cancel it with a win here and keep the Bucket. It would give the program a lot of positive momentum going into 2020, especially with a very tough opening stretch at Nebraska and against a very good Memphis team. Unfortunately, Indiana is pretty good and has beaten teams it should all year. I think we keep it close, but the Bucket goes back into exile. <strong>Indiana 34, Purdue 27</strong></p>
<p id="v6lVVo"><strong>#1 Ohio State (11-0, 8-0) at #13 Michigan (9-2, 6-2) Noon, FOX</strong></p>
<p id="PXRNLW"><a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2019/11/27/20985224/advanced-analytics-michigan-ohio-states-toughest-test-rivalry-2019"><strong>Land-Grant Holyland Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="RY3mOB"><a href="https://www.maizenbrew.com/football/2019/11/27/20980298/michigan-wolverines-football-ohio-state-buckeyes-justin-fields-ryan-day"><strong>Maize N’ Brew Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="KgsN2U">Ohio State is going to win because they own Michigan. It is just a question of by how much. <strong>Ohio State 42, Michigan 28</strong></p>
<p id="nE0KTz"><strong>Northwestern (2-9, 0-8) at Illinois (6-5, 4-4) Noon, Fox Sports 1</strong></p>
<p id="KCARuG"><a href="https://www.insidenu.com/2019/11/26/20983815/three-matchups-to-watch-northwestern-vs-illinois-reggie-corbin-dre-brown-drake-anderson"><strong>InsideNU Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="lVAqC8"><a href="https://www.thechampaignroom.com/2019/11/27/20970435/champaign-room-fighting-illini-football-scouting-report-northwestern-wildcats"><strong>The Champaign Room Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="Y3izXX">At this point you have to think that Northwestern just wants the season over. If they finish 0-9 and Rutgers also finishes 0-9 they should be forced to play the Big Ten anti-Championship game at Warren Central High School next Friday night. For the Illini, their bowl drought is over and they can head to a decent one with a win here. <strong>Illinois 27, Northwestern 14</strong></p>
<p id="x8XUnj"><strong>#12 Wisconsin (9-2, 6-2) at #8 Minnesota (10-1, 7-1) 3:30pm, ABC</strong></p>
<p id="sWwU1n"><a href="https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2019/11/27/20982368/wisconsin-badgers-football-keys-to-victory-at-minnesota-gophers-axe-game"><strong>Bucky’s 5</strong><sup><strong>th</strong></sup><strong> Quarter Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="7WwFhl"><a href="https://www.thedailygopher.com/2019/11/27/20981054/minnesota-football-wisconsin-opponent-preview"><strong>The Daily Gopher Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="TuuPms">I want Minnesota to win this. They have gotten better as the season has gone on, dodging some early season potholes to get to 10-1. A win today gives them the Big Ten West and sends them to Indianapolis, where a stunning upset of Ohio State might get them to the playoff, but a loss still probably sends them to Pasadena for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/rose-bowl">Rose Bowl</a>. I don’t think Minnesota fans would mind after not going since 1962. <strong>Minnesota 31, Wisconsin 30</strong></p>
<p id="elEj9x"><strong>Rutgers (2-9, 0-8) at #10 Penn State (9-2, 6-2) 3:30pm, BTN</strong></p>
<p id="v2aVFv"><a href="https://www.onthebanks.com/2019/11/27/20986016/rutgers-has-reached-point-of-no-return-in-hiring-greg-schiano-big-ten-football-governor-phil-murphy"><strong>On the Banks Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="MrdZeQ"><a href="https://www.blackshoediaries.com/2019/11/27/20984707/just-the-stats-no-penn-state-vs-rutgers-thanksgiving-snow-rankings-lopsided-margin-of-victory-big"><strong>Black Shoe Diaries Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="6yLFGP">Rutgers has scored just 45 points in Big Ten play. Northwestern in 1981, generally considered to be the worst Big Ten ever, scored 75 points in nine Big Ten games. Strangely, almost half of Rutgers’ points were scored against Ohio State (21). They are not going to score 31 in this one. The only reason Rutgers has two wins is because they played two truly godawful teams in UMass and Liberty. <strong>Penn State 52, Rutgers 0</strong></p>
<p id="pkI1Dr"><strong>Maryland (3-8, 1-7) at Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) 3:30pm, Fox Sports 1</strong></p>
<p id="6si4dh"><a href="https://www.testudotimes.com/maryland-terps-football"><strong>Testudo Times Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="iXlTVC"><a href="https://www.theonlycolors.com/2019/11/27/20985866/get-to-know-the-opponent-maryland"><strong>The Only Colors Preview</strong></a></p>
<p id="7MxM5H">Michigan State needs a win to secure a bowl game and their reward is Maryland, a team who has been a complete mess since a 2-0 start had them in the top 25. Yes, The Terrapins were ranked at one point this season. Since then they have beaten Rutgers, and that’s it. Michigan State blew out Rutgers this week, so they will be fine. <strong>Michigan State 35, Maryland 10</strong></p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2019/11/29/20986680/week-14-big-ten-preview-how-to-watchBoilerTMill2019-11-28T10:00:00-05:002019-11-28T10:00:00-05:00Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with Crimson Quarry
<figure>
<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 23 Michigan at Indiana" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eglhijNKk_jTEn-bVy5st1JacQk=/0x0:4211x2807/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65793193/1185045207.jpg.0.jpg" />
</figure>
<p>This week we talk with Kyle Swick of Crimson Quarry. </p> <p id="FsP14y">We have one last Interview with an opposing blog for the season, and it is with Crimson Quarry. We here at Hammer & Rails don’t always get along with the guys at Crimson Quarry, but they were still nice enough to have Kyle Swick stop by to talk about the football Hoosiers:</p>
<p id="ApWav4"><strong>T-Mill:</strong> I have to admit that I am impressed by Indiana this year, and the Hoosiers deserve credit for beating the teams they should. What has been the biggest reason for the turnaround? </p>
<p id="PdVqob"><strong>Kyle: </strong>Kalen DeBoer. His impact cannot be overstated. The offense under Tom Allen’s regime was completely dysfunctional while Mike DeBord was in charge. It was uninspiring and ineffective, meaning the defense had to carry the burden each and every game. Michael Penix has looked All-B1G caliber in this offense and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/281131/peyton-ramsey">Peyton Ramsey</a> looks like a new quarterback entirely. DeBoer has excelled at diagnosing the strengths and weaknesses of the squad, emphasizing the former and minimizing the latter. Previously, it felt like we were trying to force players into roles and systems they weren’t suited for, instead of designing a system around the players we had. DeBoer doesn’t ask guys to do things they can’t do and doesn’t stay married to a specific game plan. The adaptability and effectiveness on offense has allowed a young defense to learn on the fly without having to bear the burden week-to-week.</p>
<p id="YaiUCp"><strong>T-Mill:</strong> The Hoosiers got pretty banged up in the Michigan game. Who is out for Purdue and how significant are the losses. </p>
<p id="JfTpmP"><strong>Kyle: </strong>Looks like we’re (relatively) full strength after some clarity from Tom Allen today. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/289252/whop-philyor">Whop Philyor</a> missed the Michigan game but is expected to be back. Starting tailback <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/323106/stevie-scott">Stevie Scott</a> and tackle <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/334430/matthew-bedford">Matthew Bedford</a> are the big question marks right now. IU has rotated tackles a lot since losing <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/281123/coy-cronk">Coy Cronk</a> early in the year and Bedford was a big part of that rotation. Stevie Scott has certainly been the bell cow of a young RB corps, and Indiana has struggled to run with their other guys. If Scott were to miss the game, I’d expect DeBoer to heavily substitute the horizontal pass game as our “rushing offense,” which has been our answer in games where the run game just wasn’t working.</p>
<p id="wBgTbU"><strong>T-Mill:</strong> Tom Allen absolutely deserves a raise and has built a pretty impressive base in three years. Is he getting a raise or could someone poach him?</p>
<p id="8UDJl5"><strong>Kyle: </strong>I imagine Tom Allen will get PAID this offseason, and Fred Glass has hinted as much. I’m not concerned about him being poached for a couple of reasons: first being that he truly, truly loves it here. He’s a guy that says he’s honored to coach this program and you actually believe him. As a B1G coach, it’d have to take a pretty big job to poach him, but I don’t think those kind of opportunities are going to line up to hire him anytime soon. For all Tom Allen has done for this program, his bottom line isn’t going to be all that appealing to trustees across the country. I just can’t see a place like Florida State being able to sell a guy who just cashed in his first winning season at Indiana as an answer for them. At least not yet. But if Tom Allen can turn <em>Indiana</em> into a consistent winner in this division ... who wouldn’t want him?</p>
<p id="w0Q6aj"><strong>T-Mill:</strong> After Michigan carved up the secondary is there concern with Purdue still having a solid passing game even with <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/290038/aidan-o-connell">Aidan O’Connell</a> playing? </p>
<p id="drqfS8"><strong>Kyle: </strong>The defense is young and figuring things out. There is a lot of rotation between snaps as the coaching staff is unafraid to switch things around if they think they can get a better mix. Watching from nearly field level, the secondary was not great but no secondary is going to hold up for as long as Michigan’s offensive line was giving Shea Patterson. On the rare occasions that Indiana generated pressure, Patterson was predictably unable to do much about it. I probably turned to the other guys four or five times on Saturday to say “any time we get [Patterson] to have to move AT ALL he can’t do anything.” But Indiana simply couldn’t make it happen. The front seven has to be better, and I like them to bounce back from what was easily their worst game of the year. That should make things easier on the DBs, in theory.</p>
<p id="2eaSkJ"><strong>T-Mill:</strong> Who are the top reserves if <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/323095/whop-philyor">Whop Philyor</a> and Stevie Scott can’t go? </p>
<p id="aXlZJG"><strong>Kyle: </strong>Whop should be good to go, so no worries there. Indiana is wildly deep at WR as it is. Even if you take Whop out, the Hoosiers would line up <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/289241/ty-fryfogle">Ty Fryfogle</a>, <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/262776/nick-westbrook">Nick Westbrook</a>, Donovan Hale, and <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/334435/david-ellis">David Ellis</a> in 4-wide sets. Of course you’d always rather have Whop out there, but IU fans can’t be too nervous with those four guys ready for snaps behind him. They’ve all played and played well this season, providing a great mix of experience and talent. Things get dicier behind Stevie Scott, as neither <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/306336/ronnie-walker-jr">Ronnie Walker Jr.</a> or <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/players/334437/sampson-james">Sampson James</a> have distinguished themselves in backup roles. But they’ve also not had the opportunity to get into a game and play a full complement of snaps.</p>
<p id="6VZinq"><strong>T-Mill: </strong>Finally, what do you see happening on Saturday?</p>
<p id="xgU6KP"><strong>Kyle: </strong>Last I checked the line had Indiana at -6.5 which sounds about right. I think Indiana is the better team this year by a fair margin but I’m wondering if their confidence is shot after another almost-win against a top team in the East and then a complete egg-laying at home. Indiana is certainly a program that is prone to spiraling out of control after a couple of setbacks and on the road in a rivalry game is an awful place to try and get yourself out of a rut. But this is a team that has been doing very un-Indiana things all season long, and I have faith that Tom Allen will have them ready to go. Indiana wins, Purdue covers. I’m just glad we’ve already achieved bowl eligibility without needing this game to make it happen, for once.</p>
<p id="L9XFE0"><strong>BONUS QUESTION: </strong>What are your thoughts on Mitch Daniels wanting to move the Bucket game to Lucas Oil? </p>
<p id="LZNAfV"><strong>Kyle: </strong>100% in favor of it if they continue to insist on playing it Thanksgiving weekend. The campuses are dead anyway and frankly neither atmosphere is so good that it’s worth preserving. They should absolutely try it out since the date takes a ton of students out of the equation. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2019/11/28/20986608/purdue-indiana-blogger-interviewBoilerTMill2019-11-27T10:00:00-05:002019-11-27T10:00:00-05:00Indiana at Purdue Preview
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<img alt="COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 02 Northwestern at Indiana" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LOi42yolqZr_7z-RcFO0BtQsBZE=/0x0:3600x2400/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65784456/1179500932.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s Old Oaken Bucket time and Purdue is going for three in a row. </p> <p id="gPhkDd">The last two seasons have been all about bowl eligibility with the Old Oaken Bucket game. In each of the last two seasons both teams have entered with a 5-6 record, but Purdue has prevailed to earn the postseason berth by a touchdown. In 2017 that was great. The Boilers rode the surprise bowl bid to a win in the Foster Farms Bowl over Arizona. The less said about last year’s bowl game, the better. In 2015 and 2016 Purdue was far from bowl eligibility, but Indiana won both to head to the postseason in consecutive seasons for the first time since the early 90s. </p>
<p id="2rkLRE">This year is different. Indiana is already bowl eligible and is trying to reach 8 wins for the first time since 1993. The dream of #9Windiana is also technically still alive, as they would need to beat Purdue and win their bowl game. For Purdue, the season that felt somewhat lost with the last collapse in Reno is nearly over. As many feared, that fourth quarter debacle has cost Purdue a chance at bowl eligibility this week, but the Boilers may not have enough healthy players to put on much of a showing in a bowl game anyway. Purdue is looking for a win to salvage some pride, keep the Bucket, cancel #9Windiana, and build momentum for 2020 by winning three of the last four after the season seemed lost at 2-6. </p>
<p id="1CGN9d">As always, expect a great rivalry game. </p>
<p id="ypGjJq"><a href="https://www.crimsonquarry.com/"><strong>Indiana Hoosiers</strong></a></p>
<p id="LS7bpA"><strong>2018 Record: (5-7, 2-7 Big Ten East)</strong></p>
<p id="V9i433"><strong>Bowl Result: None</strong></p>
<p id="uvj40T"><strong>Blog Representation: </strong><a href="http://www.crimsonquarry.com/"><strong>Crimson Quarry</strong></a></p>
<p id="vtfqoc"><strong>Series with Purdue: Purdue leads 74-41-6</strong></p>
<p id="Rc2mpl"><strong>Last Purdue win: 28-21 on 11/24/2018 at Indiana</strong></p>
<p id="WKkqhI"><strong>Last Indiana win: 26-24 on 11/26/2016 at Indiana</strong></p>
<p id="iYXYlh"><strong>Head Coach: Tom Allen (17-19 in third season at Indiana)</strong></p>
<p id="Kxyjyl"><strong>2019 so far for Indiana</strong></p>
<p id="Ah43at">A lot has been made about Indiana not beating anyone. To a point, that is true. Their seven wins are over 4-7 Ball State, 1-11 (and FCS) Eastern Illinois, 2-9 UConn, 2-9 Rutgers, 3-8 Maryland, 2-9 Northwestern, and 5-6 Nebraska. That’s a combined record of 19-59. Their four losses are to 5-6 Michigan State, 11-0 Ohio State, 9-2 Michigan, and 9-2 Penn State for a combined record of 34-10. By comparison, Purdue’s seven losses are to 7-4 Nevada, 5-6 TCU, 10-1 Minnesota, 9-2 Penn State, 9-2 Wisconsin, 8-3 Iowa, and 6-5 Illinois, a combined record of 54-23. Our wins are over 3-8 Vanderbilt, 3-8 Maryland, 2-9 Northwestern, and 5-6 Nebraska (combined record, 13-29). The worst loss between the two is TCU/Michigan State (an argument could be made that Nevada is better than both), while the best win each has is over Nebraska. </p>
<p id="5lfykk">That said, this is Indiana. Simply improving to the point where they beat the teams they should beat is a huge improvement. Last year the Hoosiers couldn’t beat Minnesota and Purdue and it cost them a bowl. Two years ago it was Maryland and Purdue that cost them. This is a program that has a nasty habit dropping close games it should win, and this year they have done what they needed to do while also giving Penn State quite a game in Happy Valley. Under Jeff Brohm Purdue has not gotten to that level. You just have to look at 2017 Rutgers and Nebraska, 2018 Eastern Michigan, and 2019 Nevada (given we had a 17 point 4th quarter lead) to see that. </p>
<p id="ZQlsGh">They aren’t even barely edging through these games, either. Nebraska and Maryland were close on the road while Purdue edged Nebraska in West Lafayette and blew out Maryland. There are only a handful of common opponents, but the schools both beat Maryland (Purdue by 26, Indiana by 6), Nebraska (Indiana by 7, Purdue by 4), and Northwestern (Indiana by 31, Purdue by 2). Both lost at Penn State (Purdue by 28, Indiana by 7). </p>
<p id="ciLOzE">Of course, injuries are a major factor for Purdue, but for Indiana as well:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">oh and before the injury card hits here was the second half saturday:<br><br>- #1 and #2 two quarterbacks hurt<br>- #1 running back hurt<br>- #1 wide receiver hurt<br>- #1 and #2 starting left tackles hurt<br><br>still 7-4!</p>— #26 crimson quarry (@crimsonquarry) <a href="https://twitter.com/crimsonquarry/status/1199132856334860288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2019</a>
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<p id="nVCecW">Gee, losing those six guys for one game is certainly the same as Purdue:</p>
<p id="zH50ow">#4 Quarterback in the last three games, #1 out for the last six, #2 for the last 3, and #3 the entire year.</p>
<p id="Zuvzrt">#3 Running back for the entire season, as <span>Tario Fuller</span> and <span>Richie Worship</span> have barely played. </p>
<p id="eBeCOm">#1 All-<a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/teams/american">American</a> receiver out for 6 games</p>
<p id="bh2D5j">#2/3 receiver <span>Jared Sparks</span> out for 8 of the last 9 games. </p>
<p id="PLbaXi">#1 center out most of the season</p>
<p id="wcrYi0">#1 linebacker out the last 9 games</p>
<p id="VZ75Ge">#1 defensive tackle out all season</p>
<p id="B8Psiq">#2 linebacker (<span>Cornel Jones</span>) out several weeks</p>
<p id="Bu0gZK">I mean, that is basically the same as missing their key guys for a game or a half a game in some cases (<span>Coy Cronk</span> and <span>Michael Penix Jr.</span> have been out far longer, I know). </p>
<p id="rRUV3J">So yes, injuries suck, and they could be a major factor for Indiana in this game as well because their top receiver and running back are questionable coming in. </p>
<p id="ic1iCx"><strong>Who to Watch on Offense</strong></p>
<p id="cb7yzI"><span><strong>Peyton Ramsey</strong></span><strong> – QB – </strong><span>Ramsey</span> originally lost the starting job to Penix, but was the starter last year and has filled in very well since Penix was shut down for the season. He has 1,890 yards and 10 TDs against 4 INTs while completing 71% of his passes. He has also been somewhat effective running the ball as he is No. 2 on the team at 156 yards and 4 TDs. </p>
<p id="KCCz7V"><span><strong>Stevie Scott</strong></span><strong> – RB – </strong>Scott has been excellent with 845 yards and 10 touchdowns as Indiana has relied on him a lot. Considering that <span>Jonathan Taylor</span> just rushed for another 130 yards as I wrote this, Scott is a concern. He left last week’s game with an injury, however, and is questionable this week. If he doesn’t play it would be a huge blow for Indiana. Freshman Sampson James is probably the top backup option, but he has only 132 yards rushing and averages 2.8 yards per carry. </p>
<p id="DyC0FT"><span><strong>Whop Philyor</strong></span><strong> – WR – </strong>Like <span>David Bell</span>, <span>Philyor</span> is one of the best receivers in the Big Ten with 61 receptions for 863 yards and 3 TDs. He missed last week with a concussion sustained against Penn State and is also questionable. <span>Ty Fryfogle</span> and <span>Peyton Hendershot</span> each have 42 receptions and over 500 yards, but if Philyor is out it would be a significant loss. </p>
<p id="ecSudX"><strong>Who to Watch on Defense</strong></p>
<p id="dyAxdj">Perhaps the biggest reason for Indiana’s renaissance is its defense. Yes, Michigan shredded them through the air last week and Ohio State killed them, but Ohio State does that to everyone. The Hoosiers are right in the middle of the conference in total defense and give up 100 yards less than Purdue per game. The pass defense gives up 193 yards per game and the run defense gives up 134.9 yards per game. Of course, Purdue is heavily skewed towards the pass and is one of the worst rushing teams in the country, so we already know we’ll be one-dimensional. </p>
<p id="A51wWQ"><span><strong>Allen Stallings IV</strong></span><strong> – DL – </strong>Stallings has had a decent season with five sacks and 20 tackles overall. As a team Indiana has 25 sacks compared to Purdue’s 18, but Purdue has given up 27 and Indiana has given up just 18. <span>Demarcus Elliott</span> and <span>Jerome Johnson</span> also each have three sacks. </p>
<p id="gWpojl"><span><strong>Micah McFadden</strong></span><strong> – LB – </strong>Indiana does not have a tackling machine like our <span>Ben Holt</span>, but McFadden leads them with 51 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and an interception. The sophomore linebacker is developing into quite a defender and is going to be the heart of their defense for a while. </p>
<p id="H7QctJ"><span><strong>Tiawan Mullen</strong></span><strong> – DB – </strong>Mullen has defended eight passes, but does not have an interception. As a team Indiana has only four interceptions, the fewest in the conference. If that trend holds <span>Aidan O’Connell</span> should be able to move the offense. Indiana is -1 in turnover margin on the season and Purdue’s recent improvement there has brought it up to -6. </p>
<p id="xIque0"><strong>Who to Watch on Special Teams</strong></p>
<p id="PD0yQZ"><span><strong>Logan Justus</strong></span><strong> – K – </strong>Our own J.D Dellinger has been good, but <span>Justus</span> has been virtually perfect. He is 14 of 14 on field goals with a long of 50 yards and he has only missed one extra point.</p>
<p id="IDk0FM"><span><strong>Haydon Whitehead</strong></span><strong> – P – </strong><span>Whitehead</span> is averaging a solid 41.9 yards per punt and which is a lot better than Purdue’s punter-by-committee approach. </p>
<p id="uwETdx"><strong>Game Outlook</strong></p>
<p id="NrXMXr">At this point we know what we’re going to get with Purdue and its injury situation. <span>Aidan O’Connell</span> has been pretty solid and has pushed his way into the conversation about starting next season. David Bell has been amazing, <span>Brycen Hopkins</span> is coming off of a career week, and there is at least a possibility <span>Rondale Moore</span> could come back. The Boilers availed themselves quite well at Wisconsin last week on offense and the defense at least won’t be facing Wisconsin’s line again. Playing at home against a rival Purdue is going to keep playing hard. </p>
<p id="OryH2P">With Indiana, the status of Philyor and Scott are huge. If they are out then these teams are probably pretty even. If both of them play the Hoosiers have a definite advantage, but if not, their offense could stall out. </p>
<p id="OxN2Tl">It will be an interesting game to see for sure. Purdue’s record is not great, but the Boilers have fought awfully hard the last three weeks and have shown a lot of improvement. Getting this game and going into the offseason with positive momentum would be a big step with so many freshmen playing big minutes. </p>
https://www.hammerandrails.com/2019/11/27/20984970/indiana-purdue-preview-old-oaken-bucketBoilerTMill