It’s a Battle of the Bulldogs in Des Moines this Saturday as Drake and Butler square off in a Pioneer League showdown that’s more bite than bark 🐶.
Both teams bring bruising run games and old-school toughness, but only one pack will leave with bragging rights.
Drake has dominated this dogfight for nearly a decade — winning eight straight — and aims to keep Butler on a short leash when they clash at Drake Stadium on November 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM CT.
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📺 Where to Watch Drake vs. Butler? (November 1)
| Date | Time (Local – CT) | Venue | TV / Stream |
| Saturday, Nov 1, 2025 | 11:00 AM CT | Drake Stadium (Des Moines, IA) | ESPN+ / Fox College Sports |
💰 Betting Odds (Projected)
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total (O/U) |
| Drake Bulldogs | -9.5 (-110) | -360 | O 44.5 (-110) |
| Butler Bulldogs | +9.5 (-110) | +280 | U 44.5 (-110) |
ClutchBuzz Projection:
📊 Drake 27 – Butler 17
Best Bets: Drake -9.5 | Under 44.5
📈 Team Overview
🔵 Drake Bulldogs (6–2 Overall, 4–0 PFL)
| Category | Stat | Rank (FCS) |
| Points per Game | 26.1 | 42nd |
| Points Allowed | 17.9 | 14th |
| Total Offense | 356.2 YPG | 38th |
| Total Defense | 296.7 YPG | 19th |
| Rushing Offense | 194.6 YPG | 21st |
| Passing Offense | 161.6 YPG | 87th |
Drake’s blueprint hasn’t changed: run the football, control the clock, play defense.
Their backfield duo — led by Luke Bailey (502 YDS, 7 TD) and Trenton Smith (364 YDS, 4 TD) — powers a top-25 rushing attack in the FCS.
Quarterback Ian Corwin has been efficient if unspectacular, throwing for 9 TDs to 4 INTs, while Drake’s defense has been rock solid. The front seven ranks among the top 20 nationally in rush defense and has produced 21 sacks through eight games.
At home, the Bulldogs allow just 13.2 points per game, and their secondary has forced 9 turnovers in their last four outings.
⚪ Butler Bulldogs (4–4 Overall, 2–3 PFL)
| Category | Stat | Rank (FCS) |
| Points per Game | 21.3 | 71st |
| Points Allowed | 27.5 | 87th |
| Total Offense | 311.8 YPG | 76th |
| Total Defense | 382.9 YPG | 90th |
| Rushing Offense | 196.4 YPG | 19th |
| Passing Offense | 115.4 YPG | 126th |
Butler is one of the most run-heavy teams in the country — they’ve attempted just 157 passes, the third fewest in Division I (FCS or FBS) — relying heavily on their power ground game.
The offensive line has paved the way for 896 rushing yards in October alone (9th most in Division I), but the pass protection has collapsed: 39 sacks allowed, second most nationally.
That’s a problem against a Drake defense that feasts on blitz pressure and gap disruption.
📊 Head-to-Head History
| Date | Result | Location |
| Dec 10, 2024 | Drake 27 – Butler 17 | Des Moines, IA |
| Nov 18, 2023 | Drake 13 – Butler 9 | Indianapolis, IN |
| — | Drake leads all-time series: 8–0 | — |
Average Margin: Drake +10.6
Last 5 Meetings: Drake has held Butler to 13.8 points per game.
🧠 Matchup Breakdown
Butler Offense vs. Drake Defense
Butler’s offense lives and dies by the run. They average 4.9 yards per carry, but when forced into passing situations, the unit stalls — with 0 receiving first downs recorded this season on third-and-long situations (per FOX Stats).
Drake’s front seven, led by DE Andrew McCullough (6 sacks) and LB Matt Mihalik (53 tackles), ranks among the best in the PFL at setting edges and collapsing the pocket. Expect Drake to load the box and dare Butler’s inexperienced quarterbacks to throw.
Edge: Drake by a wide margin in the trenches.
Drake Offense vs. Butler Defense
Drake doesn’t air it out much either, but they’re far more balanced. Their ground game grinds defenses down, and once safeties creep in, Corwin is accurate enough off play-action to find tight end Jake Wilkins over the middle.
Butler allows 382.9 yards per game and has given up 14 passing TDs — the exact area Drake will target off misdirection and short-field setups.
Edge: Slight to Drake, particularly at home.
📉 Trends
| Trend | Record |
| Drake is 8–0 SU vs. Butler since 2017 | ✅ |
| Butler is 2–7 ATS in last 9 conference road games | ❌ |
| Drake has hit the Under in 5 of its last 6 home games | ✅ |
| Butler is 1–6 ATS as an underdog of 7+ points | ❌ |
| Drake has covered 4 straight vs. sub-.500 teams | ✅ |
💡 Best Prop Bets
| Market | Pick | Odds | Reason |
| First Half Under 21.5 | ✅ | -115 | Both teams run-heavy, slow tempo |
| Drake ML + Under 45.5 Parlay | ✅ | +150 | Defense-driven matchup |
| Luke Bailey Anytime TD | ✅ | -130 | Goal-line focal point |
| Butler Team Total Under 17.5 | ✅ | -110 | Haven’t topped 20 vs Drake since 2016 |
| Drake -5.5 (1H Spread) | ✅ | +100 | Dominant early home splits |
🎯 Same-Game Parlay (SGP)
| Leg |
| Drake ML (-360) |
| Under 44.5 (-110) |
| Luke Bailey Anytime TD (-130) |
| Butler Team Total Under 17.5 (-110) |
💵 Projected Odds: +525
🔥 Low-risk, high-value parlay based on defensive edge.
🏁 Final ClutchBuzz Drake vs. Butler Prediction
This matchup stays true to its recent history: Drake controls possession, wins the trenches, and frustrates Butler into one-dimensional play.
Expect a physical, grind-it-out affair — both teams will run the ball 35+ times — but Drake’s ability to finish drives and protect the passer separates them.
Final Score Prediction:
🔵 Drake 27 – Butler 17
✅ Best Bets:
- Drake -9.5
- Under 44.5
- Bailey Anytime TD
- Butler Team Total Under 17.5
