WEST LAFAYETTE -
The Bucket as consolation prize. We've been here before, of course. Last year, for one, when Purdue and Indiana both had losing records. A bunch of years, for another.

But this is Purdue, and ever since Joe Tiller hit town back in 1997 the Boilers were set for bigger things. It's why Danny Hope was hired, to provide the energy that was missing in Tiller's final years, to be the spark to get the program back to its bowl-making ways.

And Hope had the team to do it. There were inexperience issues between quarterback and receivers, but those were solved. Joey Elliott rates with any quarterback in the Big Ten. Keith Smith and Aaron Valentine are a formidable receiving combination. The offensive line is solid: Defensive end Ryan Kerrigan is a force of nature; kicker Carson Wiggs has a big-time leg; back-from-injury linebacker Jason Werner is one of the feel-good stories of 2009; and nobody wants to get in defensive tackle Mike Neal's way.

Purdue could easily be 9-2 without needing divine intervention. The Boilers' record is a testament to turnovers and mistakes and blown opportunities. So the Boilers are 4-7, and the luster from wins over Ohio State and Michigan is fading fast.

Bowl hopes are gone, the Indiana Hoosiers await and keeping the Old Oaken Bucket, symbol for this rivalry, is all that remains.

“It's not like there's nothing left to play for,” Werner said. “We'll do what we can to get the Bucket. It's a pride thing. How much pride do you have?”

Pride was wounded from Saturday's 40-37 loss to Michigan State that spoiled Senior Day. It was the fifth time the Boilers had turned victory into defeat. There was a fumble that gave the Spartans their first touchdown, horrific kickoff coverage, a blocked field goal, a couple of blown coverages and one bad defense of a reverse.

Elliott set career highs for yards (373), completions (39) and attempts (55). It wasn't enough.

Smith set a career high for receptions (15). It wasn't enough.

The Boilers ran a season-high 92 plays and had more than twice the time of possession as Michigan State. It didn't matter.

They found a way to lose, as they have so often in this what-might-have-been season.

Yeah, it hurts.

“We'll go to Bloomington and they'll be ready,” Elliott said, “but it's another game. I'd have liked to have had this one at Ross-Ade Stadium.”

Purdue lost two years ago in its last visit to Memorial Stadium, just its second loss to the Hoosiers in the last 12 meetings.

It has no desire to start a trend, just as it has every intention to bounce back after the latest loss.

“We started 1-5 and had no trouble bouncing back,” Hope said. “We pursued some great moments. I don't anticipate it being any different this week.

“We'll come back and work hard. The biggest prize of the year is waiting. We have a chance to beat our archrival. They've played hard all year. It ought to be a great matchup. It won't take long to shake this off. We have a lot to play for.”

You bet they do. If the Boilers win the turnover battle, if they cover kickoffs, don't go soft in the secondary, punish IU quarterback Ben Chappell, exploit the offensive balance they have shown against far better defenses than Indiana's and play to their talent, the Bucket will stay in West Lafayette.

If not, then somebody needs to take a long look in the mirror.