Iowa is fiercely coached and generally talented, and it enters the season with high hopes as usual. Though the Hawkeyes has a tumultuous offseason, things have calmed down over the last couple of months as the focus has turned to on-field play and the return of Big Ten football. Purdue enters Saturday's game with star Rondale Moore not playing and coach Jeff Brohm not on the sideline due to a COVID-19 diagnosis. This game will sit on the Iowa secondary, which benefits without Moore in action but may struggle. I expect Iowa to play the ball control game and come out with a cover.

The Purdue Boilermakers had a carousel of quarterback injuries last year that resulted in usage of three different players. This season they’ll head into 2020 with a lot more concerns at the position. Yet, Iowa is also transitioning at the position after losing Nate Stanley to graduation. Expect the Boilermakers to cover as small home underdogs.

The Boilermakers won’t have star wide receiver Rondale Moore or coach Jeff Brohm on the sideline. That’s going to spell disaster against an Iowa defense that won’t be threatened by a Boilermakers offense that isn’t exactly what it is supposed to be.

Big news on Friday as Purdue has ruled out electric receiver/returner Rondale Moore for undisclosed reasons. He had opted out but then opted back in when the Big Ten essentially opted back in. Huge loss for the Boilers, who also are without head coach Jeff Brohm as he tested positive for COVID-19. Makes me wonder if perhaps there could be more players sidelined for Purdue. Also, Iowa is 15-4-1 ATS in its past 20 as a road favorite.