The first issue to be resolved is the extent of the Covid problem on the team, and IU’s ability to get it under control in order to be fully prepared for a game on the 18th.
The second issue is the outcome of the Wisconsin - Iowa game. If Wisconsin wins that game there is nothing to be gained by a Hoosier Hawkeyes match-up, by either IU or the B1G. A game between a 6-1 IU and an Iowa team on a 6 game win streak would be good TV and would send the winner to a NY 6 game. Assuming the first issue is fully satisfied. On the other hand a loss to a 5-3 Iowa would certainly leave the B1G without a NY6 participant, assuming NW doesn’t slip past the Buckeyes, but do beat the Illini. In other words one should expect the b1g to review the fluid situation that is the b1g champions week come Sunday.
FWIW, if Iowa loses and the Hoosiers and Purdue are healthy I would like to see a Bucket game and the rest of the B1G can make their own match-up. Lest Des feels a need to make his heretofore annual Bucket week appearances to chastise me for proposing this based on the belief that the Hoosiers would throttle the Boilers, nothing could be further from the truth. Before the season started I predicted Purdue would win the west. They had and still do have several excellent playmakers on both sides of the ball. My view was that fact plus a favorable schedule should have put them in a position to take their aerial circus to Lucas Oil to test both the Bucks and the Lucas Oil scoreboard. The playmakers are still there and jazzed up to rain on IU’s parade would be excellent incentive for them and IMO an IU win would still put the 7-1 Hoosiers in a NY6 game which should be incentive enough to produce a good match-up in addition to preserving the long running rivalry.
The second issue is the outcome of the Wisconsin - Iowa game. If Wisconsin wins that game there is nothing to be gained by a Hoosier Hawkeyes match-up, by either IU or the B1G. A game between a 6-1 IU and an Iowa team on a 6 game win streak would be good TV and would send the winner to a NY 6 game. Assuming the first issue is fully satisfied. On the other hand a loss to a 5-3 Iowa would certainly leave the B1G without a NY6 participant, assuming NW doesn’t slip past the Buckeyes, but do beat the Illini. In other words one should expect the b1g to review the fluid situation that is the b1g champions week come Sunday.
FWIW, if Iowa loses and the Hoosiers and Purdue are healthy I would like to see a Bucket game and the rest of the B1G can make their own match-up. Lest Des feels a need to make his heretofore annual Bucket week appearances to chastise me for proposing this based on the belief that the Hoosiers would throttle the Boilers, nothing could be further from the truth. Before the season started I predicted Purdue would win the west. They had and still do have several excellent playmakers on both sides of the ball. My view was that fact plus a favorable schedule should have put them in a position to take their aerial circus to Lucas Oil to test both the Bucks and the Lucas Oil scoreboard. The playmakers are still there and jazzed up to rain on IU’s parade would be excellent incentive for them and IMO an IU win would still put the 7-1 Hoosiers in a NY6 game which should be incentive enough to produce a good match-up in addition to preserving the long running rivalry.
