Nebraska players, coaches stayed away from Iowa logo by safety

They had one message for the visitors: Stay away from the logo.

The Huskers’ standard pregame prayer has drawn the ire of opponents — whether manufactured or through genuine misunderstandings — at times during the coach Matt Rhule era. Colorado players a year ago took exception to NU representatives standing at Buffalo. Ditto for the USC coaches and players at the Los Angeles Coliseum two weeks ago.

In the run-up to the renewal of the Nebraska-Iowa rivalry, another reminder of the heat amid freezing temperatures. The Huskers responded by rallying right at the logo to the north, then again in the north end zone. As they walked back across the field to their south end locker room, many made sure to step on the black and gold paint as they filtered through security.

The conditions will match the icy moods under the lights. Bound tailgate, seeking to catch a few last rays of sun to the west, instead absorbed a cold blast of cold air in the face. At kickoff, windy 20-degree conditions will feel more like 10.

“In layman’s terms, we don’t like them and they don’t like us,” Nebraska defensive lineman Ty Robinson said of Iowa this week. “I can’t stand that program. I can’t tell you why, I just know it’s been embroidered into me.”

The weather will be another wrinkle for Nebraska after temperatures in its other November starts were 56, 66 and 60 degrees. The Big Ten’s no. 5 (Iowa) and 12 (Nebraska) scoring offenses in league games have recently had success running the ball. Each stroke seems to sting a little more this time, if the sensation in the extremities is there at all.

Still, a few Huskers — including receiver Elliott Brown — appeared shirtless shortly before the game before heading back into the southeast tunnel.

No staff surprises emerged from pregame availability reports. Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara is officially listed as out as expected, clearing the way for preseason No. 4 QB Jackson Stratton to make his second straight start.

Bowl jockeying and bragging rights appear to be the foremost extrinsic motivators in the 14th annual meeting of the border rivals. The winner might secure a spot in the Dec. 31 ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa with the loser in the race to be in the Music City Bowl in Nashville a day earlier.

Robinson, a sixth-year senior, said he heard from a host of former coaches and players last week after Nebraska ended a 10-game skid against Wisconsin. Iowa has won eight of its last nine against the Big Red — their last six meetings have been one-score affairs.

“I would say this is probably the biggest game of the season just because of how great the rivalry is,” Robinson said. “It’s definitely the toughest game we play every year, in my opinion. The physicality, the viciousness. There’s just another level of football when we play them.”