Iowa @ Nebraska preview
Memorial Stadium
THE STORY: No. 22 Nebraska continues a long tradition against a new opponent Friday when it hosts Iowa in the inaugural Corn Bowl game. The Huskers have played the day after Thanksgiving for 21 straight seasons – six times against Oklahoma (1990-95) and 15 times against Colorado (1996-2010). Both teams will attempt to pad their bowl resumes, now that Michigan State has clinched the Legends Division. Nebraska is looking to put last week’s 45-17 loss against Michigan in the rearview mirror. Special-team mistakes and three turnovers contributed greatly to its demise after trailing by just seven at halftime. Iowa has alternated wins and losses over the past five games after defeating Purdue, 31-21, on Saturday. The Hawkeyes forced four turnovers, and James Vandenberg threw for three touchdowns. The Huskers hold a 26-13-3 advantage over the Buckeyes all-time.
TV: ABC. LINE: Nebraska -9.5
ABOUT NEBRASKA (8-3, 4-3 BIG TEN): Running back Rex Burkhead did not score a touchdown in the loss to Michigan, ending the longest touchdown-scoring streak to start the season in school history. Senior linebacker Lavonte David recorded a season-high 17 tackles against the Wolverines. He has 114 tackles this year and is just the fifth player in Nebraska history with consecutive 100-tackle seasons.
ABOUT IOWA (7-4, 4-3 BIG TEN): The Hawkeyes’ passing game is led by Vandenberg, who is completing more than 60 percent of his passes and has thrown for 2,624 yards – the most in the conference. On the ground, Marcus Coker (30 carries, 139 yards vs. Purdue) is the Big Ten’s second-leading rusher with 1,297 yards.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. With 266 career tackles, David needs 11 to move into fourth place on the school’s all-time list despite playing just two seasons.
2. The Hawkeyes have lost to three opponents Nebraska has defeated (Michigan State, Minnesota and Penn State), while beating two that defeated the Huskers (Michigan and Northwestern).
3. With a win against Iowa, the Huskers will secure a nine-win season for the 38th time in the last 42 seasons.
PREDICTION: Nebraska 31, Iowa 24 -- It’s hard to imagine these evenly matched teams will establish much of a lead, so look for the Huskers to protect their home-field advantage.