3:40 pm
October 16

Purdue @ #2 Iowa

Who will WIN this matchup?

Purdue Boilermakers (3-2)

@ #2 Iowa Hawkeyes (6-0)

 

Current odds:

Purdue Boilermakers: (+350)

Iowa Hawkeyes: (-450)

 

• The line for this game is Iowa by 11.5 points.

• This season is looking like it might be a special one for Iowa, but a home loss to Purdue this week would throw a wrench into those plans.

• Iowa (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) already has defeated three ranked opponents — No. 17 Indiana, No. 9 Iowa State and No. 4 Penn State. Last Saturday the Hawkeyes rallied past the Nittany Lions 23-20 as Spencer Petras found Nico Ragaini with a 44-yard touchdown pass with 6:26 remaining.

• Iowa has won 12 games in a row and has captured nine straight contests against Big Ten opponents. The offense generally has been solid, with at least 23 points in every game this season, but the Hawkeyes’ undefeated start has truly been fueled by the defense.

• Kirk Ferentz’s team ranks fourth in the nation — and first in the Big Ten — in scoring defense, allowing just 13 points per game. The turnover story has been particularly impressive, as Iowa leads the nation in turnovers forced (20), interceptions (16) and turnover margin (+15). Nine Iowa players have intercepted at least one pass.

• Cornerback Riley Moss leads Iowa with four picks, but he sustained a knee injury last week and was not listed on this week’s depth chart Monday.

• Purdue (3-2, 1-1) has scored just 13 points in each of its past three games. Two of those contests were losses, including last week’s 20-13 home defeat to Minnesota. The Boilermakers outgained the Golden Gophers 448-294 but were doomed by mistakes — allowing four sacks and committing two turnovers in the red zone.

• Aidan O’Connell started at quarterback in place of the inconsistent Jack Plummer and went 33 of 51 for 357 yards with a touchdown and an interception. David Bell (six catches for 120 yards) topped 2,000 yards receiving for his career and certainly will be a focus of the Hawkeyes’ defensive game plan.

• In their all-time series against Iowa, the Boilermakers hold a 49-39-2 advantage, including three wins in the previous four games.

8/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
#2 Iowa Hawkeyes
Previous Pick
Next Pick