Iowa vs. Purdue Prediction, Game Preview

Okay, Iowa (10-0), now isn’t the time to blow it. The Nebraska game next week might be enough of a problem, but Purdue (2-8) already proved against the Huskers it could come up with a shocker. It’s spoiler time now for the Boilermakers, while the Hawkeyes just need to survive and advance. Check out the Purdue vs. Iowa game preview and prediction.

Purdue vs. Iowa Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, Nov. 21
Game Time: 12:00 pm
Venue: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA

Network: ESPN2

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Why You Need To Care

Purdue continues to be plucky, but the wins aren’t coming. The Boilermakers had Northwestern in trouble, but still lost 21-14. On the year, they have three losses by a touchdown or less, and that doesn’t include the Marshall loss that came on a late pick-six when driving to try to tie/win the game. With Indiana left, there’s still time to have some fun, but ruining Iowa’s year would be the highlight.

Here you go, Iowa. Beat Purdue, and you take the West title and you have a shot at the title. But it’s about more than that now. Iowa doesn’t need style points, it just needs wins. It was a fight to get by Indiana and Minnesota in tight victories, but it doesn’t matter. Beat Purdue, beat Nebraska, and it’s off to the Big Ten title game at 12-0 with a shot at the playoff with a win.

Why Purdue Will Win

Can the Purdue passing game possibly go off? Iowa got lit up by Minnesota last week, and David Blough needs to come up with a massive performance. He showed against Nebraska he could carry the team to a win, and he threw for 287 yards against the Northwestern defense. As long as he offsets the Iowa running game by keeping it on the sidelines – Purdue has to own third downs – this could be tighter than expected.

Why Iowa Will Win

There won’t be anything flashy about what Iowa is going to do. The Purdue run defense has allowed 632 rushing yards and six touchdowns over the last two weeks, and it gave up two rushing touchdowns or more in each of the last eight games. Iowa is going to run, it’s going to keep running, and then it’ll run again. The Hawkeyes have hit the 200-yard mark in four of the last five games with 18 scores in the stretch.

Player Who Matters

So now who’ll run the ball for Iowa? Jordan Canzeri was the main man before getting hurt, rushing for 256 yards against Illinois before wearing down. Akrum Wadley stepped in against Northwestern and ran for 204 yards and four scores, and ran for 120 yards and a touchdown against Indiana, but he got hurt. Last week, it was LeShun Daniels took over against Minnesota and ran for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Running back depth used to be a nightmare for Iowa, but now it’s a plus, mainly because the O line has been so special.

What’s Going To Happen?

Iowa isn’t going to blow it here – that’s what the Nebraska game is for. In the final home game of the year for the Hawkeyes, this won’t be the game when the defense falters.

Purdue vs. Iowa Prediction

Final Score: Iowa 44, Purdue 14, Line: Iowa -21, o/u: 57.5

Must See Rating: 5: The Night Before – 1: Donny! … 2.5