It’s the Heroes Trophy Game. It’s Rivalry Week. It’s the regular-season finale. Buckle up, and get ready for a stressful three hours this Black Friday when things get underway in the Big Ten.
The Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten) are making the road trip to Lincoln, Neb., to take on their rivals, the Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-4, 4-4 Big Ten), with both teams vying for a chance at an eighth win when the always-close and dramatic rivalry kicks off.
Kickoff is 11 a.m. CT from Memorial Stadium and will be airing on CBS. Pete Fiutak of College Football News dug into the matchup and offered a prediction on how each could win:
Why Nebraska beats Iowa football
Can the Hawkeyes get out of their own way against a team that they should be able to beat and put together a full four quarters? Iowa won’t turn it over often, make the big mistake, or commit penalties. If they can commit to stopping the run, things tilt towards Iowa quickly.
Iowa continues to do everything possible to keep both teams in the game. When it’s rolling, it doesn’t take any chances and doesn’t change the plan. When it’s not rolling, it doesn’t take any chances and doesn’t change the plan. It played with fire against Michigan State last week, didn’t throw enough in the close call win over Penn State, or in the loss to Oregon, and if the ground game isn’t rolling, there’s a problem.
The Huskers have to take the rushing fight to the Hawkeyes. Emmett Johnson dominated UCLA, was a bright spot against Penn State, and he’s on a run of four straight 100-yard games and in five of the last six.
This isn’t a team that cares a lot about the time of possession battle, but if Iowa wants to make this a grinding battle of ground games, let’s go. – Fiutak, CFN
Why Iowa beats Nebraska
Iowa needs to go full Iowa in this game. Run the ball, play defense, complete a few third-down passes, and wait for Nebraska to make the critical mistake, as they have so often done in this rivalry game. It’s a simple recipe, but with Iowa’s decade-long dominance over Nebraska, why change?
All of a sudden, the Nebraska defense is having problems.It was hardly anything amazing for most of the season, but it couldn’t come up with a stop against the Penn State running game and was eaten up by the UCLA passing attack.
Iowa isn’t going to do anything remotely crazy, but you know how this works.The attack will run, control the clock, keep everything measured and conservative, and then hope for a big play from punt returner extraordinaire Kaden Wetjen, or a takeaway, or some moment when the other side breaks. – Fiutak CFN
Who wins Iowa vs. Nebraska?
Does anyone expect this game not to be close? This rivalry always seems to come down to a late turnover, a last-second field goal, or some form of a dramatic play, usually breaking the Hawkeyes’ way. It will likely fall on defensive coordinator Phil Parker and his defense, a spot they embrace.
This has to be another thriller, right? It’s what these two do.
Husker quarterback TJ Lateef doesn’t have to be anything special, but as long as he’s hitting the midrange throws and keeping the chains moving, this will stay close throughout.
But the Iowa defense will hold up well in the second half, and the rest of the team’s playbook will go step by step. That includes another dramatic Hawkeye finish. – Fiutak, CFN
Iowa vs. Nebraska prediction
Prediction: Iowa 24, Nebraska 16
Another one-score rivalry game predicted between the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers. It has become the norm for Black Friday, and why would a meeting between 7-4 squads change that trend? Fortunately, for the Hawkeyes, they embrace these closes games and enjoy the pressure.
Iowa vs. Nebraska takeaways
As I stated last week, despite the Big Ten race and College Football Playoff bid being long gone, Iowa isn’t phased. They care. Every game matters. This program is built upon a culture of winning and muting the outside noise.
Kirk Ferentz will have the Iowa Hawkeyes ready to go in the season finale and his leadership will be on full display by the effort exuding from his team this Friday.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: College Football News shares Iowa vs. Nebraska predictions
Reporting by Riley Donald, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
