Free College Football Picks Today: Purdue Boilermakers vs Iowa Hawkeyes 11/5/22

A matchup of strength against strength is set for Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, as the University of Iowa Hawkeyes (4-4, 2-3 Big 10) and their superb passing defense travel to face the Purdue University Boilermakers (5-3, 3-2 Big 10) and their outstanding aerial offense.

The Boilermakers are 4.5-point favorites, and the total is 41. Iowa is coming off a one-sided 33-13 win over Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium last Saturday. Spencer Petras threw for 220 yards and a touchdown. Kaleb Johnson ran 14 times for 88 yards. Nico Ragaini caught four passes for 66 yards.

Purdue lost 35-24 to Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium on October 22. Aidan O’Connell was 31 of 46 for 320 yards, a touchdown, and three interceptions. Devin Mockobee carried 23 times for 108 yards and a touchdown. Charlie Jones hauled in 10 receptions for 105 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Boilermakers won the only game between the teams last season, a 24-7 victory in October. Aidan O’Connell threw two touchdowns for Purdue.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Hawkeyes are averaging 16.4 points per game for the season, 125th in FBS, and they are facing a Boilermakers defense that has surrendered 25.5 PPG (64th). Meanwhile, Purdue has scored 32.8 points a game this season, 42nd in the nation, and Iowa is allowing 15.8 PPG (5th).

The Hawkeyes rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in both passing (155.1, 120th) and rushing (92.9, 121st) yards per game. They will be facing a particularly tough test on the ground, as the Boilermakers are 20th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (110.3). Against the pass, Purdue is 83rd (242.8).

Purdue has been one of the country’s top passing teams, averaging 314.3 passing yards per game (13th), while ranking 93rd in rushing yards (130.4). Iowa’s defense has been equally impressive through the air, as the Hawkeyes are 10th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (172.1). Against the run, the Hawkeyes are 11th (93.5).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through eight games, Spencer Petras has thrown for three touchdowns (5 INT) and 151.1 yards per game to lead Iowa in passing. In three away games this season, he has zero TDs (3 INT) and an average of 122.3 yards passing.

Kaleb Johnson leads the team in rushing with an average of 43.5 yards a game over eight games. He has three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Sam LaPorta is the Hawkeyes’ leading receiver with 48.4 yards a game.

Aidan O’Connell has 15 passing touchdowns (8 INT) with 324.3 yards per game through seven games to lead Purdue. In three home games this season, he has thrown for nine TDs (1 INT) and an average of 322.3 yards.

Devin Mockobee has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 80.1 yards a game through seven games. He has six touchdowns. Charlie Jones has been a workhorse in the Boilermakers’ passing game. He has nine touchdowns and a 105.0 yard per game average through eight appearances.