It’s finally here. The regular-season finale has arrived for the Iowa football team.
While there’s still a bowl game to be determined for the Hawkeyes, regardless of the outcome of Friday’s game, a rivalry matchup with Nebraska presents a significant opportunity for this team. A chance to end the season on a high note, beating one of your biggest rivals in their building. Iowa can flip the narrative of its season by winning this game and ending the year with a bowl victory.
It won’t be easy. The Cornhuskers want this one badly, as they haven’t beaten the Hawkeyes in Lincoln since 2011. Every year, this game comes down to the final possession, and it usually ends in a walk-off field goal. The Hawkeyes are going to get Nebraska’s best shot on Senior Day. They need to do these three things if they want to send Nebraska’s seniors out with a loss again.
Contain Emmett Johnson
Junior running back Emmett Johnson has been one of the best running backs in the Big Ten this season. He has 222 carries for 1,234 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He’s also the Cornhuskers’ leader in receptions this year, catching 44 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson has been absolutely dynamic this year, and with a backup quarterback starting, he should see a heavy load on Friday.
The Iowa defense has been hot and cold at stopping the run this season. Good performances against Indiana and USC’s run games have been offset by terrible performances against Penn State and Oregon’s ground attack. The Hawkeyes need to make sure Johnson isn’t a one-man wrecking crew on Friday. Stopping him puts more pressure on the Nebraska passing game and presents chances for an opportunistic defense to force some turnovers.
Force TJ Lateef into mistakes
Nebraska starting quarterback Dylan Raiola saw his season come to an end about a month ago with an injury, meaning the Hawkeyes will see freshman quarterback TJ Lateef on Friday. In a short sample size, Lateef has played relatively well, completing 50-71 passes for 653 yards and four touchdowns. He’s yet to throw an interception. He also has three rushing touchdowns and is a threat to use his legs to pick up big yardage.
The Iowa defense will be the best defense he’s played in his career so far, and you know Phil Parker is going to dial up some packages and blitzes to confuse the young signal caller. Lateef is talented, but inexperienced, and the Iowa defense needs to use that to their advantage. There’s a good chance this game comes down to the last drive, and the Hawkeyes need to be ready to take advantage of any mistake Lateef makes on Friday.
Use recent success to your advantage
The Hawkeyes have only lost to Nebraska once in the last decade, and they haven’t lost in Lincoln since 2011. At this point, it’s just as much a mental battle for the Cornhuskers as it is a physical battle. Iowa’s goal on Friday should be the throw the first punch and try to get into Nebraska’s head a bit. Whether that’s an opening drive touchdown or the defense forcing an early turnover, a fast start will have all of Husker nation saying “here we go again”.
If Iowa can plant that first seed of doubt into Nebraska early on, it’ll lead to the Cornhuskers pressing to make plays and eventually making big mistakes instead. Throwing them off their rhythm and game plan early on will lead to success for the Hawkeyes. Winning the mental battle will be just as important as winning the physical battle in this rivalry game.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football vs. Nebraska: Three keys to victory
Reporting by Zach Hiney, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
