Keys to victory, result predictions

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) will try to keep things rolling this week as they attempt to recapture the Heroes Trophy from Iowa (7-4, 5-3).

As kickoff approaches, here are today’s keys to the Huskers’ win over the Hawkeyes.

Iowa enters the game as a 3-point favorite over Nebraska. Today’s game starts at 6:30 p.m. CT and airs on NBC.

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KEY TO WIN: Nebraska vs. Iowa

KEY 1: Limit Kaleb Johnson’s big runs

Everyone knows what Iowa wants to do on offense. Run back Caleb Johnson is the Big Ten Conference’s leading player. The Hawkeyes are 7-1 when he rushes for over 100 yards. One statistic that stands out, however, is that Johnson did not rush for more than 16 yards in November.

KEY 2: Find a good rhythm on offense

Over the last two weeks, we’ve seen Nebraska’s offense falter Dana Holgorsen. They developed an identity and a rhythm. They scored on six straight possessions against Wisconsin and had five drives that lasted at least eight plays.

KEY 3: Force Jackson Stratton to be a pitcher

Walk-in transfer to Colorado State Jackson Stratton will make his second straight start on Friday against Nebraska. The Huskers will have a significant advantage at the quarterback position in this game. The key is that they need to force Stratton to make big throws, starting with early success against the run.

KEY 4: Protect Dylan Raiola in the pocket

Iowa will try to win up front and also put pressure on Husker QB Dylan Raiola. The offensive line has been excellent in pass defense in recent games. That has to continue today in Iowa City for Nebraska to have a chance.

KEY 5: Play lighthearted

Nebraska is already bowl eligible. They took home the Freedom Trophy last week. Why not the Heroes Trophy today? The Huskers and Hawkeyes are likely playing for a trip to Tampa. NU needs to play carefree and loose and try to add a Hawkeye to its collection of rivalry wins in 2024. They already have wins over Colorado and Wisconsin.

Expert takes

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Publisher

There’s a lot I like about this game against Nebraska. The Huskers have done well against teams like Iowa that want to physically finish them off. Everyone knows what the Hawkeyes are going to do, and Tony White will have a plan for it. I also think Dana Holgorsen’s third game will pick up where it left off against Wisconsin and Dylan Raiola will make some big shots.

Nebraska 23, Iowa 16

Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

Look for Nebraska’s front six/seven to flex and keep Kaleb Johnson to a manageable rushing total. Let’s face it, that’s what this game is largely about. But it’s also about you-know-who. Yes, Dana Holgorsen is quite the wild card for the Huskers, especially against an extremely well-coached Hawkeye defense with a complicated scheme in the secondary. With a win here, Nebraska should head to Tampa for a bowl game.

Nebraska 24, Iowa 13

Robin Washut – senior writer at HuskerOnline

For the first time in what feels like forever, Nebraska enters its Black Friday rivalry with Iowa not needing a win to keep the season alive. Relieving that pressure alone could be a game-changer for the Huskers tonight. If NU’s offense can keep it going under Dana Holgorsen, I see no reason why they can’t improve their bowl positioning even further with a win in Iowa City.

Nebraska 27, Iowa 23

Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

It’s fitting that Nebraska won the Freedom Trophy on Saturday because now they can play with a little freedom and the pressure is off this team. Expect a losing team ready to go all out in Iowa City, knowing there’s a bowl game coming up next month, win or lose.

Nebraska 27, Iowa 24

Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

The glow of Wisconsin’s victory carries over to Black Friday in Iowa City. The Huskers were ultimately the better team in the fourth quarter. Their superior athletes have emerged in this game the way they want.

Nebraska 35, Iowa 14

Microphone’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

That feels like a pretty slight handicap. If Kaleb Johnson can rush for more than 100 yards, then Iowa will probably win. The Hawkeyes are 7-1 this season. However, the last time Johnson faced a rush defense similar to NU was against UCLA, and the Bruins held him to 49 yards. Iowa was among the Big Ten’s best teams in November, winning 20 of 23 games since 2019. The big question is whether the Huskers can carry over the success they had offensively against Wisconsin to a night game at Kinnick Stadium? Nebraska’s return coverage team will have to be really good against Kaden Wetjen, one of the best return specialists in the country.

Iowa 23, Nebraska 20

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Sean Callahan can be reached at (email protected) and can be heard daily 6:45 a.m. and 5:05 p.m To Big red radio 1110 KFAB in Omaha during football season. He can also be seen on KETV Channel 7 in Omaha in the fall and appears weekly at Nebraska Public Media Big red abstract Tuesdays at 7 p.m.

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