GoldandBlack.com breaks down how Purdue and Iowa might match up Saturday in Ross-Stadium.

The Boilermakers have continued to generate very little production on the ground. It has to click at some point, right? Maybe, but there are no indications that day is forthcoming. It's now Week 9 and Purdue's running backs are still without a touchdown or run of 20 yards or more. That's amazing, really. The Boilermakers shredded Iowa in the run game last season, going for more than 200 yards on the ground, but that Purdue team was very different than this one and this Iowa team is very different from that one. The Hawkeyes are strong up front, led by defensive lineman Carl DavisClick When Purdue's running ...Here to view this Link. and linebackers Anthony HitchensClick When Purdue's running ...Here to view this Link. and James MorrisClick When Purdue's running ...Here to view this Link..

Advantage: Iowa (decided)

When Purdue's passing ...

Again, it's just been a grind for the Boilermakers to generate much of anything in any phase of its offense, passing game very much included. The biggest issue, really, is that Purdue's been unable to do the most important thing there is when playing a young quarterback: Protect him. Iowa wouldn't seem like as ferocious a pass rush as some of those the Boilermakers have seen lately, but for a team that's allowed the freshman to get sacked 19 times the past three-and-a-half games, it's going to be difficult nonetheless. A solid start would be Purdue just giving itself a chance by avoiding big plays against it in the passing game.

Advantage: Iowa (decided)

This is not a dynamic Iowa offense by any mean and, per usual, it's dealing with some injuries in its backfield, though not the sort of severe injuries it's typically dealt with every reason. Mark WeismanClick When Iowa is running ...Here to view this Link., provided his elbow is OK, is a physical runner who'll be difficult for Purdue to bring down while QB Jake RudockClick When Iowa is running ...Here to view this Link. is mobile enough to give the Boilermakers something extra to concern themselves with.

Advantage: Iowa (slight)

Rudock has had his ups and downs as a first-year starter, and assuming is knee is healthy enough to play Saturday, Purdue will look to force him into more of the latter. Iowa's shown some big-play potential in its passing game and has a tight end in C.J. FiedorowiczClick When Iowa is passing ...Here to view this Link. that Purdue will have to keep close track of after struggling so much to guard the position against Ohio State. Purdue hasn't been getting much pressure on the quarterback and it gets no easier against an opponent that's allowed the fewest sacks in the Big Ten.

Advantage: Iowa (slight)

Advantage: Iowa (slight)

Intangibles

Iowa needs this win for bowl eligibility, or else it'll have to beat either Michigan or Nebraska to get to six wins. Exact same situation it was in last season, when the Boilermakers won in Iowa City and Iowa wound up missing the postseason. … The Hawkeyes are banged up, but all their key players on offense seem good to go. … Iowa may not have the offensive firepower to separate itself early the way some of Purdue's other opponents have during its seven-game losing streak.