Everything you need to know about the heat between IU and Purdue
Do you know why it’s called the Old Oaken Bucket trophy?
As we enter the final week of the college football regular season, fans eagerly await the games they’ve had marked on their calendars since August, it’s Rivalry Week.
Across the country many teams prepare to face their most hated opponents, whether it’s Michigan/Ohio State, Notre Dame/Stanford or Alabama/Auburn, players and fans are all ready for their most important game of the season.
In Bloomington, Hoosier fans are focused on one thing… beating Purdue. The longstanding, interstate disdain between the Hoosiers and Boilermakers is well documented. Every IU student, alumni or fan knows that even wearing Purdue’s colors during rivalry could (and will) be viewed as treason.
To get ready for the game here are some facts about the history of the rivalry that will make even the fakest of fans sound like an expert…
IU and Purdue first played on November 14, 1891. Purdue won the meeting by a whooping 62-0.
These two teams have met 119 times since that first game.
Purdue leads the series with a record of 72-41-6.
The teams play for the Old Oaken Bucket trophy which was named after a poem from 1817 by Samuel Woodworth,
"How dear to this heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view!
The orchard, the meadow, the deep-tangled wild-wood,
And every loved spot which my infancy knew!
…And e'en the rude bucket that hung in the well—
The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket,
The moss-covered bucket which hung in the well.”
IU Football is currently on a four-year winning streak against Purdue. 2012 was the last time Purdue ended up on top.
Entering this year’s game both teams stand at 5-6 on the season. Hoosiers are 2-6 in the conference, Boilermakers 3-5. Purdue is technically the favorite heading into the game. The spread opened up at -3 for the Boilermakers.
IU has beaten Purdue 20 times on the road. This year’s matchup will be played in West Lafayette.
With basketball season just starting to warm up, the most important stat still is…
National Championships:
IU: 5
Purdue: 0
GO HOOSIERS!