Nebraska and Iowa meet on a cold night with hopes of improving position in the bowl pecking order

On By Littum

Nebraska (6-5, 3-5 Big Ten) at Iowa (7-4, 5-3), Friday at 7:30 PM EST (NBC)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Iowa by 5 1/2.

Series Record: Nebraska leads 26-17-1.

WHAT’S AT PLAY?

Nebraska and Iowa continue their day-after-Thanksgiving tradition of playing for the Heroes Trophy. The Cornhuskers became eligible to play in their first bowl since 2016 with their win over Wisconsin last week. Now their task is to position themselves for the best possible destination. Iowa is going for its ninth straight year with at least eight wins, not including the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

KEY MATCHUP

Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson vs. Nebraska run defense. The outlook calls for temperatures to drop into the teens, which likely means plenty of work for the rushing leader of the Big Ten. Last week, he had a career-high 35 carries for 164 yards against Maryland. The Cornhuskers have been decent against the run, allowing 126 yards per carry. game against conference opponents.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nebraska: QB Dylan Raiola’s confidence is rising as he enters his third game with Dana Holgorsen as offensive coordinator. Holgorsen has designed a plan that highlights the new graduate’s strengths as a fit. Raiola faces a challenge this week. He’ll likely face more pressure than Wisconsin put on him, and he’ll have to deal with bad weather and a hostile crowd.

Iowa: DL Ethan Hurkett was one of the stars of last year’s 13-10 win at Lincoln, intercepting a pass with 15 seconds left to set up the game-winning field goal. Last week, he had six tackles against Maryland, including a career-high three tackles for loss and two sacks.

FACTS & FIGURES

Iowa has won eight of nine against Nebraska, with the Huskers’ win coming in Iowa City two years ago. … Johnson’s backup, Kamari Moulton, is coming off his first 100-yard game. He ran for 114 yards on 12 attempts against Maryland. … Iowa LB Jay Higgins has four interceptions, tied for most by an FBS linebacker. … Emmett Johnson’s 113 yards rushing against Wisconsin last week gave the Huskers their first 100-yard rusher in 19 games. … Nebraska PK John Hohl, who missed four of his first five field goals this season, has made eight in a row.

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