Saturday, September 27, 2014

RossAde Stadium in West Lafayette

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

You never know what you're going to get with this up and down Iowa (3-1) team. Two weeks ago at home the Hawkeyes couldn't do anything against their in-state rivals and ended up allowing Iowa State to get their only win of the season thus far. Then last week Iowa inexplicably held the nation's leading rusher James Connor in check and won in Pittsburgh with a back-up QB. The Purdue game marks the first of six winnable Big Ten games for the Hawkeyes who can put themselves in good position going into matchups with Wisconsin and Nebraska to end the year.

The Hawkeyes hadn't been too impressive on offense for the better part of three and a half games until C.J Beathard stepped in for the injured Jake Rudock and fueled a 17-3 second half that propelled Iowa to an upset victory. Beathard was 7/8 for 98 yards but Iowa had a noticeably better kick in their step in coming back from a 17-7 deficit. They say you don't lose your job to injury and Rudock is back at the top of the depth chart, but this time with a fire lit underneath him. The Boilermaker defense is about the middle of the pack meaning either quarterback, or RB Mark Weisman for that matter could have a big day.

The Boilermakers may have their hands full against an Iowa defense allowing under 20 PPG. To compound matters Purdue doesn't really have a niche to go to and fire up their squad. The passing game is ranked 73rd in the country at a pedestrian 229 YPG while the rushing attack doesn't strike much fear in opponents, ranking 96th with 131.5 YPG. If Iowa is vulnerable anywhere on defense it's through the air, where they allow over 250 YPG compared to only 95.5 on the ground, 17th best in the country.

The Hawkeyes had an easy time of it on their last visit to West Lafayette, winning 38-14 last November. It's not hard to determine what fueled that Iowa victory as the Hawks outgained Purdue 318 to 53 on the ground. That rushing dominance and the importance of avoiding a letdown after a big win should be the repeated recipe for success for Iowa to make it two in a row.

Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Trends

Iowa Hawkeyes are 1-3-0 Against the Spread

Iowa Hawkeyes are 1-3-0 against the Over/Under

Purdue Boilermakers Betting Trends

Purdue Boilermakers are 3-1-0 Against the Spread

Purdue Boilermakers are 2-1-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Iowa Hawkeyes

09/21/14 DB Greg Mabin Ankle "?" Saturday vs. Purdue
09/21/14 QB Jake Rudock Hip left last game, "?" Saturday vs. Purdue
09/21/14 FB Macon Plewa Undisclosed "?" Saturday vs. Purdue
08/27/14 DL Darian Cooper Knee out for season
08/18/14 FB Adam Cox ACL out for season

Purdue Boilermakers

No injuries to report at this time

Josh's Pick: Take Iowa

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