What is the Old Oaken Bucket? Who leads rivalry series between Purdue, Indiana?

The 100th chain link will be added to the Old Oaken Bucket after Friday night's rivalry game between Purdue and Indiana.

It's a series that has historically been dominated by the Boilermakers, holding a 77-43-6 record since it began in 1891. Their largest margin of victory came in the second meeting, 68-0, on Nov. 5, 1982.

Though the Hoosiers handed their archrivals their most lopsided loss in the series last season, 66-0. And the stakes haven't been higher for IU in this rivalry: ranked its highest at No. 2 nationally, a chance to finish its first 12-0 season, a spot in the Big Ten championship game to be clinched and a likely first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.

And yet, the Boilermakers have high stakes in respect going into an offseason where another roster overhaul will be used pitching recruits and transfers on what can be accomplished at Purdue. Recency bias has heavily skewed how bad the program is in, but the 17-game Big Ten losing streak — and 20 games against Power Four opponents — was started after a win over IU, just two years ago.

Here's what to know about the Old Oaken Bucket trophy, and the rivalry.

Why do Purdue and IU play for the Old Oaken Bucket?

Though the two sides began play in 1891, the Bucket wasn't added till 1925. Alumni groups for each school based in Chicago were tasked with finding an appropriate object and Russell Gray (Purdue) and Clarence Jones (IU) said "an old oaken bucket would be a most typical trophy from this state and should be taken from a well somewhere in Indiana," according to Purdue's website.

The bucket came from the Bruner farm in southern Indiana between Kent and Hanover, the website said, and "family lore suggests the bucket might have been used by Confederate General John Hunt Morgan and his soldiers during their incursion into Indiana in 1863 during the Civil War." Though the IU website offers an alternative: "Another story traces the origins of the bucket to Illinois, where it was first repaired at the American Steel Foundries of Granite City, Illinois and given an “antiquated” look by H. Raymond McCoy of the same company."

What is the Old Oaken Bucket?

The Old Oaken Bucket is the rivalry trophy between Purdue and Indiana football. The bucket is symbolic for life in Indiana and chain links are added after each game to represent the victor with either a "P" or an "I." On three instances, there is a link with a "P" and "I" attached to represent ties.

How many chain links are on the Old Oaken Bucket?

There are 99 chain links representing either team. They include three links with both an "I" and a "P" for three ties. Otherwise, there are 63 Ps and 33 Is for the all-time series record.

Who has the most wins in the Old Oaken Bucket rivalry between Purdue and Indiana?

Purdue has 63 wins, IU has 33 wins and there have been three ties since the Bucket was introduced.

When was the Old Oaken Bucket stolen?

It's been a decade since the truth came out of when the Old Oaken Bucket was stolen by three IU students in 1958, and later returned to Purdue's campus. Stuff of legend:

Doyel in 2015: 3 men walk into a bar and steal Old Oaken Bucket

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Old Oaken Bucket history, Purdue football Indiana rivalry game trophy