BLOOMINGTON | Indiana's goal was to finish this season in a bowl game.

In the Hoosiers' minds, they still can.

Today, Indiana and Purdue will square off for the 85th Old Oaken Bucket -- or in this ever-changing world, what some would dub the first Old Oaken Bucket Bowl.

"This is our bowl game, right here," senior defensive end Jammie Kirlew said Tuesday. "This is our last game, the last time the senior class will play together."

The Hoosiers and Boilermakers have no choice but to accept the fact that they will not be making the postseason.

Indiana (4-7, 1-6 Big Ten) watched those hopes vanish with last Saturday's loss at Penn State. The Hoosiers have lost four straight and seven of eight since starting 3-0, leaving them two wins short of becoming bowl-eligible with only one game left.

Purdue (4-7, 3-4) also came up short, despite improving in the second half of the season.

The Boilermakers rallied from a 1-5 start to win three of four, including a rare sweep of Ohio State and Michigan, before last Saturday's home loss to Michigan State ended their bowl hopes.

Though Purdue's players want to keep the Bucket every bit as much as the Hoosiers want it back in Bloomington, they see this game a little different.

"It's been a great season. A lot of good memories, a lot of ups and downs. I think our football team has made a lot of strides in a good way," Purdue quarterback Joey Elliott said. "The Indiana game is always a big one on our schedule."

The disparity in emotions may have more to do with how this series has gone over the past 12 years.

Purdue holds a 10-2 advantage since 1997. Indiana's only wins during the stretch came in Antwaan Randle El's next-to-last college game in 2001 and in 2007 when Austin Starr made a 49-yard field goal with 30 seconds left to end the Hoosiers' 13-year bowl drought.

The Boilermakers, meanwhile, have scored at least two dozen points in each of the series' past seven games, topping 60 twice since 2004.

But this season's matchup won't come close to matching the emotions of the last two years.

Starr's long kick in 2007 set off a jubilant celebration at midfield, fulfilling Terry Hoeppner's promise to play in a bowl game five months after the Hoosiers coach died of complications from a brain tumor.

Last year, the Boilermakers said farewell to coach Joe Tiller with a 62-10 win, the largest victory margin in the series since 1892. Tiller celebrated by leading the band.

Indiana wants to make amends after that bleak day in West Lafayette.

"Yesterday, I heard it (the 62-10 score) maybe seven times," senior running back Bryan Payton said. "I know some of the guys have it on their lockers or pasted in their apartment rooms, so, yes, I know what those numbers mean."

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Purdue (4-7, 3-4 Big Ten) at Indiana (4-7, 1-6)

When: 2:30 p.m. today.

TV/Radio: Big Ten Network (cable); WJOB-AM (1230); The Lakeshore-FM (89.1).

Series Record: Purdue leads 69-38-6.

Last Meeting: 2008, Purdue won 62-10.

What's at Stake

Both teams lost last week and now are out of bowl contention, so their battle for the Old Oaken Bucket will amount to their bowl game. Both teams lost several close games this season and would like to end it with something positive to take into the offseason. Indiana remembers Purdue's blowout victory from last season.

Key Matchup

Purdue QB Joey Elliott vs. Indiana pass defense. Elliott leads the Big Ten in yards passing per game and total offense. Indiana has the worst pass defense in the Big Ten. Indiana's best chance is if Jammie Kirlew, a defensive end who has 5.5 sacks this season, can pressure Elliott.

Players to watch

Purdue: WR Keith Smith. He had career highs of 15 catches for 152 yards in last week's 40-37 loss to Michigan State. He has 86 catches for 1,015 yards this season, and coach Danny Hope believes he is one of the best receivers in the nation.

Indiana: QB Ben Chappell. Perhaps because Indiana hasn't won the big games, Chappell's success has been a bit overlooked. He ranks only behind Elliott in the conference in yards passing per game. He has 15 touchdown passes, though his 13 interceptions have played a role in Indiana's struggles. -- AP