IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Iowa has 25 former players in the NFL, an impressive total that ranks ninth-best in the nation.

But it's tough to see many current Hawkeyes reaching the next level.

That might be the biggest reason this year's team is in such a free fall.

Iowa (4-5, 2-3 Big Ten) has lost three straight, including a 24-21 loss last week at once-woeful Indiana. The Hawkeyes head into Saturday's home game with Purdue (3-6, 0-5) needing to win two of their last three games simply to gain bowl eligibility.

Though Iowa has typically been less flashy than most programs under longtime coach Kirk Ferentz, it still needs guys to make big plays.

That hasn't happened enough in what's threatening to become a lost season.