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When: 3:30 p.m. today
Site: Memorial Stadium (52,692, FieldTurf), Bloomington.
TV: Big Ten Network Radio: 1380 AM, 100.1 FM
Line: Purdue by 3
Records: Purdue 4-7, 3-4 Big Ten; Indiana 4-7, 1-6
Series: Purdue leads 69-36-6
On the Web: For a video preview, go to “Boiling Point” and “Eyeing IU” at www.journalgazette.net
OFFENSE
Points per game: 26.9 (65th in NCAA)
Yards per game: 397 (51st)
Passing yards per game: 259.8 (30th)
Rushing yards per game: 137.2 (73rd)
The skinny: The unit has been shockingly productive considering how inexperienced it was to start the season. Fifth-year senior and first-year starter Joey Elliott has 2,821 yards passing with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He’s been able to do it because receivers Keith Smith (86 catches, 1,015 yards) and Aaron Valentin have emerged as standouts. Sophomore Ralph Bolden.(931 yards, nine TDs) could be more consistent but has been spectacular at points. The offensive line has been intact, and that’s helped keep pressure off Elliott.
DEFENSE
Points per game: 29.8 (92nd)
Yards per game: 368.8 (70th)
Passing yards per game: 197.5 (37th)
Rushing yards per game: 181.4 (92nd)
The skinny: With all four seniors healthy in the secondary, the unit has improved and hasn’t allowed a quarterback in the Big Ten to throw for more than 224 yards. The cornerback combination of Brandon King and David Pender may be the league’s best, and safeties Torri Williams and Dwight Mclean pack a punch. That experience allows Purdue to blitz more, and it will come from all angles. The front four can generate its own pressure. End Ryan Kerrigan leads the league with 11 sacks, and Mike Neal (five sacks) and Kawaan Short (44 tackles) have been solid inside. Linebacker Jason Werner has a team-high 74 tackles, including 14.5 for a loss.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Field goals: Carson Wiggs, 13 of 19
Kickoff return average: 19.67 (99th)
Punt return average: 8.42 (68th)
Punting average: 37.84 (113th)
The skinny: Wiggs has kicked eight field goals from at least 40 yards this season. He had a school-record 59-yarder in the season opener. But Hope wants Wiggs to work more of placement on kickoffs, an issue that bit the team against Michigan State. Chris Summers has been inconsistent punting, and there have been struggles in the return and coverage teams. For as much effort spent on special teams, Purdue has been only iffy most of the season.
COACHES
Danny Hope
Seasons: First
Record: 4-7
Vs. Indiana: First meeting
The skinny: For the most part, Hope has had his team prepared to play. Players have fed off his intensity and energy, much-needed traits for the rebuilding program. There’s no doubt he understands the rivalry experience and will have the guys geared to play Indiana. But the season has been soured by some of Hope’s decisions, whether it was a late timeout on the goal line in a loss to Notre Dame or his post-game childish blame-game to Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez.
INJURIES
Purdue: DT Nick Mondek (foot), WR Keith Carlos (foot) doubtful.
Points per game: 23.7 (87th)
Yards per game: 356.2 (74th)
Passing yards per game: 246.3 (35th)
Rushing yards per game: 109.9 (103rd)
The skinny: Ben Chappell has grown during his first full year as a starter. The junior has thrown for 2,675 yards and 15 touchdowns while completing 63 percent of his passes. Coach Bill Lynch often talks about Chappell’s smarts, how he avoids sacks by tossing the ball out of bounds. Tandon Doss and Damarlo Belcher are his top threats. Doss has 73 catches for 911 yards and five touchdowns. Belcher, a North Side graduate, has 706 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Mitchell Evans is used for IU’s wildcat formation.
Points per game: 28.7 (87th)
Yards per game: 407.5 (94th)
Passing yards per game: 245.3 (95th)
Rushing yards per game: 162.3 (82nd)
The skinny: Opponents build game plans around defensive ends Jammie Kirlew and Greg Middleton. Kirlew leads IU with 5 1/2 sacks, Middleton has three. Linebacker Matt Mayberry, like Kirlew and Middleton a senior, leads the Hoosiers with 99 tackles. Fellow linebackers Tyler Replogle and Will Patterson rank second and third on the team with 75 and 63 tackles, respectively. The Hoosiers will again be without safety Ray Fisher. Indiana ranks last in the Big Ten in third-down situations. Opponents have converted 48.6 percent of the time.
Field goals: Nick Freeland, 14 of 23
Kickoff return average: 24.04 (26th)
Punt return average: 9.56 (55th)
Punting average: 33.81 (94th)
The skinny: Fisher’s absence hurts IU on special teams. He led the Big Ten with a kick return average at 37.4 yards per return and returned to kicks for touchdowns. Doss has been serviceable in the spot, averaging 20.7 yards per return. Doss also returns punts. Kicker Nick Freeland’s longest field goal this season is 38 yards. Indiana has had two field-goal attempts blocked. Chris Hagerup is eighth in the Big Ten in punting. IU is eighth in the conference in kickoff coverage.
Bill Lynch
Seasons: Third at IU, 14th overall
Record: 14-22 at IU, 95-89-3 overall
Vs. Purdue: 1-1 (as IU’s coach), 1-3 overall
The skinny: Lynch and the Hoosiers have had two extremes in his first two Bucket Games as IU’s coach. In 2007, Austin Starr’s field goal in the final minute gave the Hosiers a 27-24 victory and propelled the team to the Insight Bowl. Last year, IU fell 62-10. Despite some tough losses this season, Lynch has kept the team’s spirits up. IU has been in nearly every game it’s played this year.
Indiana: CB Ray Fisher (knee), DE Darius Johnson (shoulder), DT Jarrod Smith (back) out; S Jarrell Drane (thigh), OL Cody Faulkner (shoulder), RB Demetrius McCray (head), OL Justin Pagan (shoulder), OL Mike Reiter (knee) questionable; RB Darius Wills (ankle), DL Terrance Thomas (shoulder) probable.
