The college football regular season ends this week, and for the first time since 2016, Nebraska will be going bowling. The Huskers are coming off a 44-25 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers last weekend, and now they have a chance to end the regular season on a high note when they travel to Iowa City to face their rival, the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Iowa’s offense lives and dies by the run this season, averaging nearly 214 rushing yards and only around 134 passing yards per game. The Huskers can stop the run, allowing just 111 rushing yards a game. But Iowa is bound to break through here and there, which could get the Hawkeyes’ offense moving.
The question lies between Iowa’s passing offense and Nebraska’s passing defense. Though the Hawkeyes barely throw the ball, it can exploit the Huskers’ secondary if the run game stalls.
But Iowa is on its third-string quarterback, Jackson Stratton, who’s thrown 37 total passes across five games in his collegiate career. The Blackshirts could finally rebound by getting to Stratton early and often.
The Huskers’ offense picked up a lot of momentum in a short amount of time with Holgerson as offensive coordinator. The team brings a balanced offense, succeeding through the air and the ground this season.
Iowa’s defense continues to pose a threat to every team it faces, allowing under 18 points per game. However, the Michigan State Spartans, the UCLA Bruins, and the Ohio State Buckeyes each put up over 200 passing and rushing yards on the Hawkeyes.
The Iowa State Cyclones and the Troy Trojans exploited the Hawkeyes with the deep pass early on in the season, with both teams bringing in a receiver that racked up over 130 yards and at least one touchdown off just five catches.
Iowa’s last home loss was to Iowa State in September. But with Nebraska’s offense looking to continue its run and the Blackshirts’ ability to stop it, the Huskers stand in a strong position to get another win.
Score Prediction: Nebraska 27, Iowa 20
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