A battle of Big Ten West teams is hitting TV screens on Saturday afternoon. The Purdue Boilermakers just took down Illinois by 25 for their first conference win. Meanwhile, the Iowa Hawkeyes rallied to beat Michigan State to earn a Big Ten win.
These schools play every year, with the last two meetings ending with a road win. Will Purdue push it to three, or is Iowa destined for a 4-0 start at home?
Homecoming 🐤#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/ic5p87lJZu
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) October 3, 2023
Purdue Boilermakers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Odds and Match Details
Team | Spread | Total | ML |
Purdue | +2.5
-110 |
Over 39
-110 |
+110 |
Iowa | -2.5
-110 |
Under 39
-110 |
-130 |
*Odds Subject to Change |
Fixture: Purdue Boilermakers @ Iowa Hawkeyes
Date and Time: October 7, 2023, at 3:30 p.m. EST
Location: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa
Field Surface: FieldTurf
Weather: Partly Sunny, Breezy, and 60 Degrees
Key Stats
Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue’s 2-3 record can be pinned on a defense allowing 29.6 points per game. They’ve allowed at least 35 points in three games already. The Boilermakers are ceding 398.2 total yards per game, with four of their opponents gaining at least 375 yards.
When it comes to stopping passes, the Boilermakers are giving up 249.8 yards per game and 7.2 yards per attempt. They have 16 sacks, led by Kydran Jenkins’ four. On the ground, opposing teams are gaining 148.4 yards per game on 4.1 yards per carry.
The @BoilerFootball offense showed UP last week. pic.twitter.com/kWDePeCVVk
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 3, 2023
Fresh off a season-high 44-point outburst, the Boilermaker will try to deliver again. Purdue comes into this game averaging 399.0 yards and 28.0 points per contest. That’s despite eight turnovers that have led to a -2 differential.
They’re gaining 150.2 rushing yards per game this season. Tyrone Tracy Jr. has a rushing touchdown in each game of the season. Through the air, Purdue is gaining 248.8 yards per game, with Hudson Card completing 63.8% of his passes.
Iowa Hawkeyes
DEFENSE ‼️
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) October 1, 2023
Iowa’s strength is once again on the defensive end, where they’re holding teams to 16.8 points per game. However, they’re allowing 320.8 yards per game. That includes consecutive games giving up 349 or more against a Big Ten foe.
Against the run, the Hawkeyes are limiting opposing teams to 3.8 yards per carry and 138.2 yards per game. Through the air, foes are only gaining 182.6 yards per game and 4.7 yards per attempt. Only one team has exceeded 17 points against Iowa’s 2023 defense.
The offense is what gets Iowa into trouble, as they’re only putting up 22.2 points per game. That’s possible through 240.8 yards per game, the Big Ten’s lowest mark by a decent amount. Also, starting quarterback Cade McNamara tore his ACL last week and has been officially ruled out for the season.
With him healthy, Iowa was only gaining 133.8 passing yards per game. When running the ball, the Hawkeyes are only picking up 3.5 yards per rush and 107.2 rushing yards per game. In two conference games, they only have 298 total yards and 26 points, which all came last week.
Game Prediction
For as strong as Iowa’s defense (and special teams) can be, it won’t matter if they can’t score. That was a major concern before McNamara went down, and it won’t be any better this week. Deacon Hill is taking over, bringing a 42.9% completion rate, 164 yards, one touchdown, and one interception into this game after 35 pass attempts. That’s not encouraging, nor is Iowa’s rushing attack that will be the center of attention.
Purdue will have plenty of opportunities to move the ball and score in this one. With how Iowa’s defense has performed in their first two Big Ten chances, the Boilermakers may be the rare team to put up 20 points against them. That may provide a comfortable cushion against this iteration of the Iowa offense.