Bucket half-empty or half-full?

When IU and Purdue University face off for the Old Oaken Bucket this weekend, you can forget about any kind of records, stats, numbers or any other sort of collection of data, for that matter. It really doesn't matter that Purdue is averaging almost 300 passing yards a game, or that IU's defense gives up close to 30 points a contest. It wouldn't matter if the Boilermakers were still undefeated and the Hoosiers hadn't won a game. When these two teams meet for the 107th time Saturday, either team is capable of winning.\nEntering this game are two teams with seasons gone wrong. IU got off to a 2-0 start, including a win over then-No. 24-ranked Oregon, but then lost five in a row, virtually eliminating any chance the Hoosiers had at a postseason appearance. \nPurdue was 5-0, ranked and considered a legit contender for a Rose Bowl appearance until the Boilermakers dropped four in a row by a combined 10 points. The Boilermakers gained bowl eligibility last week by defeating a weak Ohio State team, despite having had to start a turnover-prone backup at quarterback in Brandon Kirsch. \nWhen you look a little closer, the teams begin to resemble one another even more. Both teams can run and pass the ball well on offense, and both teams feature a senior quarterback, which is unheard-of for the Big Ten this season. Additionally, both teams have defenses that can create turnovers and havoc for opposing offenses, but still have not been able to close out close games.\nWin or lose, this is the last game of the season for the Hoosiers, the same of which cannot be said for Purdue. The Boilermakers are 6-4 overall this season, making them bowl eligible, but six wins won't get you far in the bowl world. An additional win could push Purdue up a few bowls, which would, in turn, mean more money for the school and the Big Ten. \nBut do the Hoosiers really care about that? I highly doubt it. Just because IU can't accomplish anything with a win over Purdue doesn't mean the team's taking this game lightly. And just because the so-called "experts" most likely will pick Purdue to win -- considering it's in West Lafayette -- that still does not mean the Hoosiers are going to roll over for the Boilermakers. \nIn the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket, nobody rolls over, and nobody takes the game lightly.\nAt the end of the day Saturday, somebody will score a key touchdown or make a play that proves to be the turning point of the game, but nobody will care about stats. IU coach Gerry DiNardo and Purdue coach Joe Tiller both will be willing to take a win, even if it's not pretty. And the players, well, all the players will be playing for pride and respect. Just don't remind DiNardo of the one stat that still haunts him -- he is winless against Purdue since his arrival in Bloomington.