First and 10: Purdue at Iowa

As we start the week, 10 items of interest to track as Purdue travels to Iowa on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.

The Boilermakers opened as a 4-point underdog on Sunday but the consensus line at vsin.com is 2.5 as of Monday morning . Purdue hasn’t been this small of an underdog in Iowa City since 2006 – a span of seven games.

–The losing streak ended with Saturday’s win over Illinois, but can the Boilermakers put back-to-back victories together for the first time this season? The offense generated 38 of the 44 points – the defense accounted for a touchdown – but putting up big numbers against Iowa’s defense is always a challenge. The Hawkeyes have held four of their five opponents to 16 points or fewer.

–The new coaching assignments against Illinois produced positive results. Coordinators Kevin Kane and Graham Harrell were moved to the press box and head coach Ryan Walters signaled in the defensive calls. The defense tied a season-high with five sacks, including one that led to a touchdown.

–Who’s Deacon Hill? He’s expected to start at quarterback for Iowa. Hill replaced starter Cade McNamara in the win over Michigan State on Saturday. McNamara, who transferred from Michigan in the offseason, suffered a leg injury about seven minutes into the game. Hill, who is listed at 258 pounds, is also a transfer, leaving Wisconsin after last year’s coaching change and eventually landing at Iowa. Hill was 11 of 27 for 115 yards, one touchdown and one interception after replacing McNamara. At least his anticipated first start is at home.

–With a new quarterback, will the Hawkeyes rely on the run even more? The rushing attack isn’t operating at a high level since 47.4% of the production on the ground came against Western Michigan. In the other four games, Iowa is averaging 2.6 yards per carry.

–The injury status of linebacker OC Brothers and tight end Max Klare are names to watch. Brothers didn’t play and Klare was injured during the game. With Brothers sidelined, Yanni Karalftis filled in and enjoyed a big performance. Regardless, Karlaftis has earned more playing time.

–Although running back Devin Mockobee is struggling with ball security, this isn’t the time for the coaching staff to brush him aside. The offense needs Mockobee and his hard-running style and ability to generate big plays on the ground. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is the No. 1 running back based on recent production, but Mockobee should continue to have a big role in the current rotation.

–Tracy will be motivated to face the program he signed with out of high school. He left Iowa following the 2021 season and transferred to Purdue. The Indianapolis native had one carry for five yards in last year’s matchup.

–Purdue’s defense could certainly play a role in whether Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz keeps his job beyond the 2023 season. The Hawkeyes must average at least 25 points, or his contract will terminate on June 30, 2024. Iowa is currently averaging 22.2 points, but the Boilermakers could eat into that number with a solid defensive performance. The Hawkeyes will need to average 26.7 points the rest of the season to reach the magic number. What’s bizarre is defensive scores and special teams touchdowns factor into the average. It doesn’t makes sense since all of the angst is over Ferentz, the son of head coach Kirk Ferentz. Just another sidebar in the unpredictable Big Ten West.

–Will Jayden Dixon-Veal and Jaron Tibbs see more playing time to beef up the depth at receiver? Three primary receivers – Deion Burks, TJ Sheffield and Abdur-Rahmaan Yaseen – are handling the heavy lifting. Dixon-Veal and Tibbs saw limited action against Illinois.

–Strange to see Iowa at the bottom of the Big Ten in sacks. The Hawkeyes have just three after collecting 34 a year ago. They’ve recorded at least 30 in four straight full seasons – not counting the abbreviated COVID year in 2020.