The #15 Iowa Hawkeyes (7-2) turn the page to Purdue (3-6) after winning the last two games, 24-10 and 30-0. Iowa's defense has been otherworldly, and in Kinnick Stadium, only Ohio State has scored more than 13 points this season. The Hawkeyes are -17.5 point home favorites and right on the outside looking in on the college football playoffs.

After reaching 3-3, Purdue has lost three straight games to Washington (38-26), Penn State (31-17), and Maryland (34-29). The Boilermakers have averaged 7.8 yards per pass or less in all three games and have five turnovers in that span (six takeaways). Purdue hasn't played at Iowa since 2023 (Iowa won 20-14). Iowa has won two straight in the series, but are 3-3 in the last six at home versus Purdue.

If Purdue wants to pull off the upset, Ryan Browne will have to be cooking. Browne threw for 296 yards last week versus Maryland, the most yards he's thrown since Week 1. However, he recorded his second game of the season without a touchdown. Iowa's defense has held the last three teams to one passing touchdown, two interceptions, and a 58.6% completion percentage. The Hawkeyes have held five out of six teams to visit Kinnick Stadium this season to 13 or fewer points.

Let’s dive into the schools on both sides of the ball, look at a few key players, and see where the numbers take us.

Game Details and How to Watch Iowa vs Purdue

  • Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
  • Time: 7:30 PM Eastern
  • Site: Kinnick Stadium
  • City: Iowa City, IA
  • TV/Streaming: NBC | Peacock

Game Odds for Iowa vs Purdue

The latest odds as of Friday courtesy of DraftKings:

  • Moneyline: Iowa Hawkeyes (-950), Purdue Boilermakers (+625)
  • Spread: Iowa -17.5 (-108)
  • Total: 47.5 points

#15 Iowa Hawkeyes

Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz
2026 Record: 7-2 (4-2)
Offensive Points Per Game: 27.8 (73rd)
Defensive Points Per Game: 12.2 (3rd)
2026 Strength of Schedule: 34th
2026 Remaining Strength of Schedule: 50th

The Iowa Hawkeyes Offense:

Despite losing Kamari Mouton to injury, Iowa's offense has a nice 1-2 punch it can rely on to relieve pressure from quarterback Hank Brown. Those backs are L.J. Phillips Jr. and Xavier Williams. In the last two games, they've alternated big games. Williams had 78 yards on 20 carries versus Wisconsin, and Phillips posted 128 yards on 21 carries at Northwestern. I'd expect a heavy dosage of both, as Brown has turned the ball over a few times during Iowa's 3-1 stretch in the last four games.

Iowa Player to Watch on Offense: QB Hank Brown

In Iowa's last four wins, Hank Brown has at least two total touchdowns in all four. Brown ran for a score and threw another in the 24-10 win at Northwestern, but had a season-low 126 passing yards, mainly due to game script. Brown threw for 222 yards and went 20-of-24 against Wisconsin in his last home game. On a negative note, Brown has thrown four interceptions in his last four games, and Purdue has had six takeaways in the last three games.

The Iowa Hawkeyes Defense:

Over the last three games, it's hard to find a defense playing better than Iowa's. The Hawkeyes have allowed 23 total points in that three-game span and earned one shutout. Iowa's defense held its last three opponents to 7-of-28 on third downs and 39 total first downs. None of the quarterbacks have reached 200 passing yards, and the defense has 11 sacks and 22 TFL in that three-game stretch. In other words, Iowa's defense is trying to carry them to a Big Ten Championship Game.

Iowa Player to Watch on Defense: LB Cam Buffington

Cam Buffington has continued his Bobby Boucher impression by stacking tackles on tackles each game. Buffington had 12 tackles at Northwestern last week and 8, 10, and 8 in the three games prior (plus 3.0 sacks). Buffington has four double-digit tackling performances in nine games and leads Iowa with 82 tackles — the next closest is at 55! Expect to hear Buffington's name called plenty on Saturday as he inches closer to 100 tackles.

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Purdue Boilermakers

Head Coach: Barry Odom
2026 Record: 3-6 (2-4)
Offensive Points Per Game: 29.8 (T-58th)
Defensive Points Per Game: 32.3 (123rd)
2026 Strength of Schedule: 21st
2026 Remaining Strength of Schedule: 10th

The Purdue Boilermakers Offense:

Purdue's offense has mustered 26, 17, and 29 points over the last three games and scored 26 or more points in four out of their six losses this season. The offense has rarely been the issue, as Ryan Browne has continually moved the ball for this offense with six games of 200-plus passing yards. During the three-game losing streak, Purdue has gone 5-of-10 on fourth downs, 14-of-43 on third downs, and has had 26 first downs against Maryland after 25 total versus Penn State and Washington. The Boilermakers aren't afraid to attack downfield or go for it on fourth downs.

Purdue Player to Watch on Offense: QB Ryan Browne

Ryan Browne ranks 19th in the country with 2,260 passing yards entering the week and is coming off 292 versus Maryland. Browne was sacked a career-high seven times last week versus Maryland, which could be just as bad versus Iowa's stingy defense. On the other hand, Browne had one of his best performances coming on the road this year at UCLA when he posted season-highs of 378 yards and three touchdowns. Let's see what he can do in his only visit to Kinnick Stadium.

The Purdue Boilermakers Defense:

Purdue has allowed 38, 31, and 34 points over the last three games, given up a first down on 14-of-30 on third downs, but forced six turnovers (five came in one game). The Boilermakers have only recorded four sacks in three games and permitted at least 96 rushing yards to four different rushers. Iowa will try to take advantage of that poor rushing defense, which ranks 99th at 170.8 yards per game.

Purdue Player to Watch on Defense: LB Jojo Hayden

Jojo Hayden now has back-to-back games with double-digit tackles and three on the season. Hayden racked up 11 tackles at Penn State and against Maryland in the last two weeks after grabbing interceptions in consecutive weeks against Minnesota and Washington. Hayden leads the Illinois transfer and leads Purdue with 70 tackles. The next closest is 58.

Purdue and Iowa, Betting Trends

Iowa trends

  • Iowa is 6-3 ATS
  • Iowa is 7-2 to the Under, ranking tied fifth-best
  • Iowa is 3-2 ATS at home
  • Iowa is 4-2 ATS as a favorite
  • Iowa is 4-2 ATS in Big Ten play
  • Iowa is 5-1 to the Under in conference play, tied for third-best

Purdue trends

  • Purdue is 3-6 ATS
  • Purdue is 7-2 to the Over, tied seventh-best
  • Purdue is 3-3 ATS and 4-2 to the Over as an underdog
  • Purdue is 1-2 ATS and 2-1 to the Under on the road
  • Purdue is 2-4 ATS in Big Ten play
  • Purdue is 4-2 to the Over in Big Ten play

Rotoworld Best Bets

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans Iowa to cover:

Iowa's defense has allowed 13, 0, and 10 points over the past three games. Iowa played Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Northwestern- some bruising opponents- and Iowa dominated the trenches. I don't see that changing here against a softer Purdue team. Iowa has covered two straight and three of the past four. Purdue is 0-3 ATS in the last three. It's Iowa or pass for me. Purdue Team Total Under 14.5 is a lean too. Iowa is 5-1 to the Under in Big Ten play, and that's because the defense.

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Source: Yahoo Sports