Who: Purdue vs. No. 5 Iowa

When: Saturday, 11 a.m. CT

Where: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa

TV: ESPN2

Spread: Iowa -22.5

Matchup to watch: Markell Jones vs. Josey Jewell

The Purdue tailback is expected to get the start, despite the fact that he left Saturday’s game against Northwestern with a knee injury. That’s big news for Purdue because the only chance it has to hang with Iowa is if Jones busts some big plays. The true freshman will face off against one of the better tackling teams in the country, with Jewell at the center of the Hawkeye defense. He’s a big reason why they’ve only allowed six rushing touchdowns all year. Jones is dangerous at the second level when he gets a head of steam, which he can to in a hurry. It sounds simple, but Jewell and Co. have to wrap up on Jones if and when they get the chance at the line of scrimmage.

Thing I’m excited to see: Desmond King bait David Blough

Perhaps nobody in the country has been better at baiting quarterbacks to throw 50-50 balls his way than King. By now, one would think that B1G quarterbacks would know to avoid King. But for a redshirt freshman with a big arm, that might be easier said than done. Blough is inevitably going to try to take some shots downfield with DeAngelo Yancey, for better or for worse. That might not be the best idea for the Boilers. King has the physicality and speed to hang with just about anyone. If Blough isn’t careful, he might be King’s next victim.

Number to remember: 9

That’s the average amount of points Purdue lost by in road tilts against Michigan State, Northwestern and Wisconsin this year, all of whom are top-25 teams. For whatever reason, the Boilers don’t wilt on the road against superior competition. Leroy Clark and Jake Replogle have both been huge in preventing offenses from getting home momentum. There’s already a ton of hype building for Iowa’s regular-season finale showdown against Nebraska. It’s senior day and, more importantly, the Hawkeyes can clinch a B1G West title with a win. There is plenty on the horizon and Purdue is playing with nothing to lose. I’m not saying Iowa is on upset alert, but don’t be surprised if the Boilers keep this closer longer than we expect.

Prediction: Iowa 35, Purdue 21

In case you couldn’t tell, I don’t think this will be a rout. And before you assume I’m someone who doesn’t believe Iowa should be at No. 5, let me stop you. I do think that’s where the Hawkeyes belong. I also know that C.J. Beathard was nowhere near 100 percent converting that last fourth down against Minnesota. The Hawkeye offense could turn one-dimensional, which isn’t necessarily something it should struggle with. I still see Iowa dominating the line of scrimmage and letting LeShun Daniels do the damage. This isn’t a game that the Hawkeyes look like a top-four team, but that shouldn’t matter. Iowa improves to 11-0 and sets up a monster Black Friday showdown against Nebraska.