The Day After: Predictions Revisited After Indiana Walloped Purdue 66-0

Read about how Hoosiers On SI did with its pregame prognostications for the Old Oaken Bucket game.

Indiana's Zach Horton (44) runs after the catch during the Indiana versus Purdue football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – In the wake of Indiana’s Old Oaken Bucket-winning 66-0 destruction of Purdue on Saturday it begs a chicken or egg question.

Was Purdue that bad, or was Indiana that good?

Probably a very solid yes on both accounts.

Indiana had too much to play for to show any mercy to the struggling Boilermakers. There were College Football Playoff ramifications and the fact that the Hoosiers hadn’t won the Old Oaken Bucket since 2019. Curt Cignetti doesn’t need much motivation to win any game, and he had plenty to present to his Hoosiers in the run-up to this one.

The bigger mystery is how utterly defeated Purdue looked like right from the start of the game. For the Boilermakers, this should have been their bowl game, a chance to really stick it to Indiana where it would hurt. A Purdue win, or even a close loss, could have done mortal damage to the Hoosiers’ CFP hopes. Purdue had every right to be as motivated as the Hoosiers clearly were.

Yet? Purdue capitulated in a shocking manner. The 67 total yards the Boilermakers amassed says plenty. The complete lack of stopping power completes the conversation.

“That’s about as dominant a performance as I’ve ever seen,” Purdue coach Ryan Walters said.

Here are this week’s three keys and a prediction for the Purdue game:

1. Shore Up The Pass Protection

Indiana's Kurtis Rourke (9) passes during the Indiana versus Purdue football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

When Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke was sacked on the first series of the game, it seemed to portend bad things in the pass protection department. He was sacked again on Indiana’s third series.

It wasn’t a good start, and it doesn’t completely quell the concerns about Indiana’s ability to protect Rourke. But Rourke was not sacked again, and Purdue didn’t record any quarterback hurries, either.

So there was improvement regarding sacks, but Purdue is certainly not going to be in the same caliber of competition Indiana will face in the College Football Playoff, so the concern still remains.

2. Don’t Underestimate The Cold Weather

Indiana players get loose in the snow before the start of the Indiana versus Purdue football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. / Rich Janzaurk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The weather came into play, but not as expected. There was always a small chance for precipitation in the long-range forecast, but I don’t think anyone anticipated the snow that fell until it began to drift into Indiana in the afternoon.

The snow made for a picturesque tableau at Memorial Stadium, but the turf didn’t really cause any problems with footing. I walked on it afterwards, and it was still surprisingly soft. Temperatures never dropped to the point where it ever was in danger of freezing over.

As for concern the cold weather might affect the passing game? Not a chance. Rourke tied an Indiana record with six touchdown passes as he completed 23 of 31 passes for 349 yards. If Indiana does somehow get to host a game, Rourke’s proven ability in the cold is a nice thing to have in the bank.

3. Don’t Let Purdue Get Any Early Hope

Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) runs the ball while Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Aiden Fisher (4) and defensive lineman Lanell Carr Jr. (41) defends in the second half at Memorial Stadium. / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

How about no hope at all? Oddly enough, one of Purdue’s most impactful plays was the pass interference drawn on the first play of the game. The Boilermakers would only have one more play in the game – a 16-yard pass to tight end Max Clare – that would gain more than that 15-yard pass interference penalty.

Purdue gained 23 yards on its first series due mainly to that penalty – and it was the second-longest drive of the day. Indiana’s defensive dominance was awe-inspiring.

Prediction

From Purdue’s perspective, I began thinking about this game a few weeks ago and how bad it might be.

It was already becoming apparent that Indiana might need to hang a big number on the Boilermakers for College Football Playoff purposes. On top of that, Cignetti strikes me as the man least likely to take it easy on a rival. Purdue’s weaknesses play to Indiana’s strengths. I thought it would be ugly.

However, Purdue showed some spunk in a competitive loss at Michigan State Nov. 22, and the weather wasn’t going to be good, and so I held back a bit – to the degree predicting a 48-0 Indiana victory constitutes “holding back.”

I should have stuck with my original feeling. Indiana’s defense put up the zero I anticipated. Indiana’s offense put up a 66 I perhaps should have seen coming.

Related stories on Indiana football

• INDIANA CONTINUES GREATEST SEASON: In a dominant 66-0 victory over Purdue, Indiana continued its greatest-ever season with an 11-1 record. CLICK HERE.

• TODD GOLDEN COLUMN: While other rivalry games produced upsets or near-misses, Indiana did not mess with Purdue. CLICK HERE.

• WINNING THE BUCKET MEANS EVERYTHING TO KATIC: He was at Indiana through good, bad and great. Mike Katic wanted to finish it all the right way with the Old Oaken Bucket in his hands. CLICK HERE.

• LIVE BLOG: Follow along with Hoosiers On SI's live blog of the Old Oaken Bucket game. Highlights and game action included. CLICK HERE.

• WATCH: Elijah Sarratt scores an 84-yard touchdown against Purdue. CLICK HERE.

• STATEMENT GAME FOR INDIANA SENIORS: Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said that a good finishing performance against Purdue ‘must get done’ to cement the legacy of Indiana seniors. CLICK HERE

• PREDICTIONS, KEYS FOR BUCKET GAME: Hoosiers On SI's predictions and three keys for the Old Oaken Bucket game. CLICK HERE.