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Iowa Football: Hawkeyes look to avoid upset at Purdue in Week 10

By Justin Heisey

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 27: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes directs the offence against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 27: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes directs the offence against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 27, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Iowa football heads out to West Lafayette, Indiana to take on Jeff Brohm and the Purdue Boilermakers. Can they avoid the same fate as Ohio State?

The narrative for both teams going into this game is very similar. Iowa came into their matchup with Penn State last week with a legitimate chance to take control of the Big Ten West and the Wisconsin loss to Northwestern only gave them a boost as they entered Happy Valley that afternoon. Going into halftime, the Hawkeyes were tied with Nittany Lions behind two first-half forced safeties (you read that right) and a weird trick play from the PSU 10-yard line where Iowa punter Colten Rastetter lined up in shotgun and hit defensive end Sam Brincks for a touchdown.

Purdue just simply did not look good against Michigan State last week. The Boilermakers were the talk of the town after demolishing Ohio State at home a week prior and many thought that they would put on a show against Michigan State’s 113th ranked pass defense. David Blough turned the ball over three times with two of those coming on productive drives and the other coming on the opening drive of the game.

The most unfortunate thing to note about this matchup was that Michigan State beat Purdue without Brian Lewerke. Rocky Lombardi (the greatest name for a quarterback ever) took over for the Spartans and threw for 46 total passes for over 300 yards and two touchdowns against a weaker Purdue defense. The Boilermakers are probably a longshot to win the Big Ten West this season, but they put themselves one step closer to doing just that or making a bowl game with a win over Iowa this weekend.

Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: West Lafayette, Indiana
Venue: Ross-Ade Stadium
TV: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

Purdue’s defense isn’t anything to write home about but their offense has played stellar in most weeks leading into the Michigan State game. Outside of the three interceptions, Blough still threw for 277 yards. Had he protected the ball better he could’ve topped 300 for the fourth consecutive week.

Iowa has a good defense, but their offense wouldn’t last in a shootout. Purdue’s passing offense ranks 11th nationally with Blough and freshman sensation Rondale Moore leading the way. Force the Hawkeyes into a situation where they have to outscore you and you can win the game.

Michigan State laid the blueprint out last week for slowing down the Boilermakers prolific offense and that is to stick to Rondale Moore like glue. Moore was held under 10 yards per reception for the first time since the Boilermakers lost to Eastern Michigan (It’s still weird to say that) and Iowa’s defense must do the same this weekend. Avoid a shootout here is a must.

Betting Odds

Over/Under: Purdue -3

Points Spread: 51

CFB Playoff and bowl projections entering Week 10. dark. Next

Prediction

I’m honestly surprised to see that Purdue is favored to win this week after the lackluster showing against Michigan State a week ago, but I get it. The winner of this game still has a chance of making it to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Title game and unfortunately for Purdue, defense travels and Iowa has one heck of a defensive unit. Purdue’s offense will look better at home but Blough will make some mistakes.

Final Score: Iowa 28, Purdue 24

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