College Football: 25 most underappreciated team rivalries of all time

21. Indiana Hoosiers vs. Purdue Boilermakers

Since 1925, the Purdue Boilermakers and the Indiana Hoosiers have competed on the gridiron for the Old Oaken Bucket. The trophy is a reference to an old poem written by Samuel Woodworth in 1817 that describes the state of Indiana and the sense of pride and enjoyment that comes from being from there. Thus, it’s an apt award to hand out to the winner of this intrastate college football rivalry matchup.

While the trophy was first handed out in 1925, the game between Purdue and Indiana has been played since 1891 and has been played every year since 1920. Overall, the rivalry has been played 111 times and the Boilermakers have a hefty advantage with a 74-41-6 record over the Hoosiers since their first meeting.

In recent years, though, there has been much more parity in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket. While Purdue has been victorious in the past two years, the two teams have split the last eight meetings between them. There is always history and state pride on the line when these two teams meet, giving it some glory regardless. However, more parity has helped it gain a little steam.

As we know, Indiana is a basketball state more than they are a football state. Perhaps that’s why Indiana-Purdue in college football isn’t exactly one of the most prestigious rivalries in the sport. Having said that, it’s a game deserving of plenty of love given the Indiana pride on the line every time that the two teams go to war.