Purdue Boilermakers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Odds & Game Pick (2021)

Things are looking extraordinary in Iowa City this year as the Hawkeyes have climbed to #2 in the national rankings following a 6-0 start, having now won 12 games in a row, including nine in the Big 10. Their opponent in this one, the Purdue Boilermakers, have seen a mixed back to this point in the season but come to town upset-minded and undoubtedly capable of doing it.

Let’s take a closer look.

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Details

• Opening Line: Hawkeyes -12.5, O/U 43
• Current Line: Hawkeyes -11.5, O/U 43

Overview 

The Iowa offense is helmed by senior Spencer Petras, who comes into this game looking to continue a solid start to the season, throwing for 1,100+ yards and a touchdown to interception ratio of 9:2. Assisted by a stable of backs, Tyler Goodson leads the charge for the Hawkeyes backfield, with 518 yards and five touchdowns on the season.

Their defense, however, is what’s made the difference for this team. This week, they rank #4 in the country, allowing just 13.1 points per game, and #1 in the nation with 20 turnovers, including 16 interceptions.

Averaging just one turnover per game, primarily interceptions, Purdue has, if nothing, done an exceptional job of ball security. After a lackluster start by quarterback Jack Plummer, Aidan O’Connell got his first start last week and threw for 357 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in their 13-20 loss to Minnesota.

Despite losing, it’s worth noting the Boilermakers outgained the Gophers 448-294 and allowed four sacks on the day. They also committed two turnovers inside the red zone, and the box score reads of a game that very quickly could’ve (and should have) went a different direction in the end.

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Trends 

• Away team is 9-2 ATS in L11 meetings
• Under is 5-0 in Boilermakers L5 October games

Bottom Line

Coming in off one of the biggest wins in program history, it’s hard to see how there isn’t at least some let down in this spot as they’ve ascended to the CFP conversation. Additionally, I don’t think this Purdue team is as bad as many perceive, with their only loss pre-Minnesota coming on the road at Notre Dame in a game they also won in the stat sheet.

In the end, I like for the Boilermakers to keep this one close well into the second half.

Pick: Boilermakers +11.5

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