Game Day Guide: What you need to know for Nebraska-Iowa
It's Nebraska against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium, and it's expected to be a very cold matchup between the two.
We’ll start this week’s game day guide by simply saying this:
That means whatever happens today is just gravy. A win certainly helps Nebraska, especially when it comes to where the Huskers head for the postseason. The ReliaQuest Bowl — which would take Nebraska to Tampa — likely takes the winner between the Huskers and Hawkeyes. And even if the ReliaQuest passes, having that one extra win will only open up more options for Nebraska.
With that said, it won’t be an easy win for the Huskers. Iowa’s a favorite in this one, and the weather is going to be cold. Running back Kaleb Johnson will make things difficult for the Blackshirts on the ground, seeing as he currently ranks second nationally with 1,492 yards on the season (6.7 yards). He’s gone over 100 yards in all games but two this season, so he’ll be the one to watch.
And then there’s the whole quarterback deal for the Hawkeyes. Jackson Stratton, a walk-on transfer from Colorado State, is expected to start. Well, as much as can be expected when coach Kirk Ferentz said he was the current starter two days ago. However, Cade McNamara and Brendan Sullivan — who were both removed from Iowa’s roster at some point — are back and practicing.
“Seems to be feast or famine. We had all three guys out there last two days," Ferentz said. “They both look good. The guys that haven’t been in there, Cade and Brendan, are both practicing. An interesting dynamic."
Sure is an interesting dynamic. We’ll see how the Blackshirts handle Kinnick under the lights. And Nebraska’s offense too, of course.
The good news? Nebraska has broken the bowl-bound curse. Postseason play is happening no matter what, so no better time than now to just play loose and have fun.
But a win certainly wouldn’t hurt.
Everything you need to know for Nebraska-Iowa:
TV Channel: NBC (Paul Burmeister, Colt McCoy, Zora Stephenson)
Date: Friday, November 29
Time: 6:30 p.m. CT
Live Stream: Peacock (with subscription)
Radio: Huskers Radio Network
Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
Weather: Sunny skies. Cold. High of 26 degrees. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph.
Line: Iowa -4
Over/Under: 39.5
Notable quotes:
Matt Rhule on the challenges of a short week and illness within the team:
“We had both flu and strep throat last week, so it was really all hands on deck by our medical staff. We had a couple of guys that tapped out today because of strep throat, but they were mainly non-travel guys. Ceyair Wright, if you could put a camera on me, I kept putting my arm around him the whole game. I was just like, ‘I’ll give you tomorrow off, just get through this game buddy.’ He was playing corner, he was playing gunner, he was playing jammer on punt return. He was just dying. Him and Marques Buford Jr. got back; they just weren’t feeling great. The challenge of a short week obviously is you just lose a day, so today we went out and practiced like it was a Tuesday, and tomorrow we’ll practice like it’s a Wednesday. Typically I don’t do that, but because of the Thanksgiving component of this and some of the things we’ll do later in the week. We treated this morning like Tuesday.”
Rhule on offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen cutting down plays:
“Just the amount of plays. When he first got here, he just said to scale back on the amount that we’re doing and we’re still doing a lot. There were a couple times in that game he was trying to find the words because he’s only had one language for 30 years and now all the sudden he has a completely different language. Coach Glenn (Thomas) and Coach (Marcus) Satterfield did a great job of sometimes helping with the words in the middle of the game. He has a picture of what he wants it to look like and it’s interesting for me. It’s very collaborative, they sit in a room together for hours upon hours upon hours and put together a game plan. It’s been really cool for me. It’s good for me to learn from.”
Holgorsen on progress from the USC matchup to Wisconsin matchup:
“We won. At the end of the day, that’s what matters. I give all the credit in the world, starting at the top with Coach Rhule. I thought he did a great job of motivating the guys all week and getting them ready to go. I look at it a little differently, obviously, because I just got here. It’s been a long season for these guys. A couple losses here and there start stacking up. We’ve all been through it. I saw a very motivated team that practiced well and was very energized as the week went on. Gameday was pretty special, pretty spectacular. It’s the first time I’ve experienced it on the home sideline. They were ready to play and got the win. I know everybody is excited about that, and hopefully it motivates everybody to want to do it again here this week.”
Defensive coordinator Tony White on what to watch for against Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson:
“He breaks tackles. He does not go down just by lowering the shoulder and all that kind of stuff. His center of gravity is low and it doesn’t look like he’s running very hard, but you cannot tackle him. Minnesota, the year before, gave up, I don’t know, 11 yards rushing to these guys. This year they get 200 yards rushing and you watch a play and they are running the defense and he hits an outside zone. They have three or four guys in the hole and the guy still breaks for 30 or 40 yards. He is truly an elite back and it’s going to be a great challenge for these guys to make sure they wrap up, grab cloth, to run their feet and get their bodies in pursuit.”
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz on Nebraska:
“Nebraska is coming off a really good home win against Wisconsin. Playing really well. Made them bowl eligible. I think everybody knows that. It's a credit to Coach Rhule, his staff, his players, for the job they did in two short years. Last year 5-7. A lot of really close, tough defeats. This year turning the corner, becoming bowl eligible. Done a good job of putting the team together, whether guys that were there, guys they recruited, and guys in the transfer portal. Really aggressive on defense. To me it starts up front. They have two defensive tackles that feel like they've been there forever. I think they have been there four or five years, I don't know. Both have started a lot of games. They're showing it. They're strong and aggressive. Really tough guys. Kind of starts there. That's really tough to block those guys inside. A lot of guys are doing a good job. They play a lot of people. Their safeties are all good. They play three of them. No. 2 looks to be the leader. He's a really good football player on top of it. Offensively a little bit different. A little bit more youth there. Contrast to the two defensive tackles that have been there a long time. Quarterback is an outstanding player. I can't imagine there's a better freshman quarterback in the country. No. 17, receiver, return guy, is a true freshman as well. Really good, outstanding football players. Very dynamic. They have a good offensive football team. Good at the skill positions. Big. Have some experience up front. Special teams, talented, good size, speed. Their punter is a really good performer as well. It's going to be a big challenge for us. I know they're coming in here with confidence. We'll have to be at our best Friday to be ready to go here.”1
Other games we’re watching this week:
(All games in CT)
Erin
Minnesota at Wisconsin, Friday at 11 a.m., CBS
This matchup is expected to be one of the coldest at Camp Randall in decades. Can you imagine if it was USC or UCLA visiting and not another team used to the cold? The Badgers are a small favorite (-1.5) in this one, but it’s always hard to predict when the weather is this cold. And if you’re a betting person, Minnesota is 8-2-1 ATS this season. The Gophers have covered in six of eight meetings against Big Ten teams this season. Do with that what you will.
No. 5 Notre Dame at USC, Saturday at 2:30 p.m., CBS
It’s rivalry weekend, which means Notre Dame and USC are facing off. This is the 95th all-time meeting between the two programs, so it’s nice the tradition gets to continue. The biggest thing in this one for the Fighting Irish is securing a spot in the College Football Playoffs. A win over USC likely secures that at-large bid the Irish need. We’ll see what happens.
No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M, Saturday at 6:30 p.m., ABC
The last time these two met? It was 2011, the Big 12 as we knew it then had fallen apart and teams were gone for the Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC. Here we are today, 13 years later, and the rivalry has been renewed. The winner of this one will be SEC Championship bound, only adding to the pressure for the two. And if Texas wins, a spot in the College Football Playoff is pretty close to guaranteed. We love a rivalry with all of the stakes.
Brandon
No. 15 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson, 11 a.m., ESPN
I need more time, and to see the final rankings, before putting together some real thoughts on our first year in the 12-team playoff, but this is one of the good examples of something new we’re getting. This was already a great rivalry game, and now it’s a great rivalry game that’s also a de facto elimination game. South Carolina and Clemson are both on the outside looking in, but only the winner (likely) gets to keep looking in. (Pending the game below.)
No. 6 Miami at Syracuse, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
Win and Miami is in the conference championship game where it will face SMU. The Hurricanes are a double-digit favorite (-10.5), but they’ve been shaky of late. Home wins over Duke and Wake Forest were tougher than the final score indicates, and Miami lost to Georgia Tech between those two. Syracuse (8-3) could put a terrific bow on an already beautiful first season under Fran Brown (a former Rhule assistant at Temple and Baylor).
No. 24 Kansas State at No. 18 Iowa State, 6:30 p.m., FOX
Nine teams are still technically alive in the Big 12 race, but a win here all but assures Iowa State of a spot in the conference championship game. (Same goes for Arizona State on the road against Arizona.) The oddsmakers see a fairly even matchup here with the Cyclones just a 2.5-point favorite at home. If A&M-Texas gets out of hand early, how about some cold weather Big Eight vibes with meaningful stakes?
I was going to cut this quote down, but it’s too good. The whole thing deserves to stay.