Iowa and Purdue have very different football histories. 

While the Hawkeyes have been one of college football's most consistent programs under Kirk Ferentz, the Boilermakers have experienced nearly two decades of great struggle aside from a successful six-year stint under Jeff Brohm. 

Purdue does lead the all-time series 50-41-3 because of a dominant run until the late-20th century, but there's no question that Iowa is the better football program at this point and time. The 15th-ranked Hawkeyes enter the 2026 meeting with College Football Playoff aspirations at 7-2, while the Boilermakers come in at 3-6 and losers of three straight. 

Everything on paper suggests that Iowa will win this football game comfortably, but here's the thing: Purdue is notorious for spoiling the party in Iowa City. No moment was more infamous for Hawkeye fans than the 2021 game at Kinnick Stadium, which featured undefeated and No. 2 Iowa against a then-fledgling Purdue squad. 

What happened that day still rankles even the most loyal Hawkeye supporters. The Boilermakers absolutely decimated the Hawkeyes that day, 24-7, ending Iowa's CFP aspirations as they were just beginning. 

Are we predicting a similar outcome on Saturday? Keep reading to find out, but the bottom line here is that Purdue is coming to Iowa City with absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain. Barry Odom's program is desperately trying to regain some respect in the Big Ten community after being one of the league's worst programs since Brohm departed after the 2022 season. 

Here's how we see this matchup playing out. 

Matchup: Purdue Boilermakers (3-6, 2-4) @ No. 15 Iowa Hawkeyes (7-2, 4-2) 

Location: Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa 

Scheduled game time: Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. 

Weather: 38 degrees 

TV: NBC 

Announcers: Noah Eagle (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Kathryn Tappen (sideline) 

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network (Gary Dolphin, Pat Angerer) 

Student Radio: KRUI 89.7 (Ryan Paris, Dravin Murti) 

Again, though both teams are again heading in the opposite direction, this has the potential to be a very interesting matchup. Purdue has really struggled to stop anyone, but its offense has been pretty formidable this year. Quarterback Ryan Browne has thrown for over 2,200 yards, and Minnesota transfer Fame Ijeboi has been a great addition at running back, too. 

But remember when we said Purdue has struggled to stop anyone? That's just the simple truth. The Boilermakers rank near the bottom of the Big Ten in most statistical categories and are coming off a dismal outing that saw them allow 27 points in the second half in a home loss to a bad Maryland team. 

If Purdue was an average defensive team, the outlook of this game would change tremendously. There's a chance Odom likely taking over defensive play calling duties after Kevin Kane's firing (Purdue isn't naming its defensive play caller for this game until after it's over) and spark this defense, but Hank Brown is playing his football of the season and has a confident L.J. Phillips handling the ground game. 

The first quarter might get a little dicey, but I don't see the Hawkeyes having much trouble in this one. They need a big win, and they're going to get just that. 

Prediction: Iowa 45, Purdue 7