Candy Stripe Catchup: Indiana football casts a long shadow over rival Purdue

Nov 28, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers head coach Barry Odom and Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti speak before the game at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images | Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Indiana football’s sudden rise, from an 11-2 debut under Curt Cignetti in 2024 to an undefeated 16-0 national championship run in 2025 has several programs around the country asking the same question.

“If they can do it, why can’t we?”

Perhaps nowhere is that as much of an issue than it is just two or so hours north of Bloomington in West Lafayette, where rival Purdue has won three games in two seasons under two different head coaches. For decades the Boilermakers have been able to hold gridiron superiority over the Hoosiers, from the all-time series record to recent success and heights.

Now? Not so much. Indiana’s won each of the past two Old Oaken Bucket games in blowout fashion, outscoring Purdue 122-3, on top of winning the only national championship between the two in January. There’s still the all-time series record, sure, but old memories and box scores provide small comfort in the face of the present reality.

Scott Dochterman of The Athletic went in deep on this thread recently, speaking to those inside and outside of the Purdue football program to get the pulse. It’s worth a read, especially if you’re trying to get as many perspectives on Indiana as you can.

It’s also worth approaching the issue from the Indiana perspective. The rivalry is as lopsided as it’s ever been, historically. Indiana’s not just at the top of the Big Ten, it’s at the top of the sport writ large, downing the likes of Ohio State, Alabama and Oregon last season. Purdue is at the bottom of the Big Ten and arguably the sport, owning one of the worst records in FBS these past two seasons while losing to fellow conference bottom dwellers in the process.