Nebraska @ Iowa preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 25, 2011 ) Iowa 7, Nebraska 20

Fourteenth-ranked Nebraska can play for the Big Ten title in only its second year in the conference with a road victory Friday against Iowa in the second annual Heroes Game. The Cornhuskers have won eight of nine, including five in a row since an embarrassing 63-38 home loss to Ohio State on Oct. 6, to sit atop the Legends Division. A sixth straight win would be Nebraska's longest streak since 2001 and put the team in next weekend's title game against Wisconsin, which will represent the Leaders Division with both Ohio State and Penn State ineligible. Iowa, by contrast, has dropped five straight games and will finish with its first losing record since 2006 and worst season since 2000. The Cornhuskers share the Legends lead with Michigan, but own the tiebreaker thanks to a 23-9 victory over the Wolverines, so if they lose they can still reach the title game if Ohio State defeats Michigan on Saturday.

TV: 12 p.m. ET, ABC. LINE: Nebraska -15

ABOUT NEBRASKA (9-2, 7-1 Big Ten): The Cornhuskers haven't exactly sailed to their five consecutive victories as they had to rally from double-digit deficits in the second half of three – against Northwestern, Michigan State and Penn State. But last week was a different story as they dominated all facets and built a 38-0 advantage en route to beating Minnesota 38-14. Junior quarterback Taylor Martinez had one of his best games of the season (21-of-29, 308 yards, two touchdowns) while becoming the school's all-time leading passer. Sophomore running back Ameer Abdullah (1,021 yards, eight TDs) went over 1,000 yards despite gaining only 79 against the Golden Gophers, ending a streak of four straight games with more than 100. Rex Burkhead misses his fourth straight game because of a left knee injury, but could be back for Iowa. The Cornhuskers' defense put forth one of its best efforts, holding Minnesota to 1-of-13 third-down conversions and 177 yards.

ABOUT IOWA (4-7, 2-5 Big Ten): The Hawkeyes allowed Michigan to score on its first six possessions during a 42-17 drubbing last week. The only bright spot for the Hawkeyes was the return of Mark Weisman from an ankle injury. The sophomore running back carried 16 times for 63 yards and caught a 13-yard touchdown pass late. Senior quarterback James Vandenberg hasn't had nearly the success he did in his junior season when he passed for 25 touchdowns against seven interceptions; this year he has only seven TD throws and six picks. The struggles are part of why Iowa's 20.5 points per game rank 105th out of 120 in the FBS. The Hawkeyes' 23.8 points against average ranks 40th, but they've yielded 31.8 during their skid. A league-leading 21 turnovers forced has helped matters, but Iowa managed only one while being overrun for 513 yards against the Wolverines.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Cornhuskers won the first Heroes Game 20-7 last season and have taken four straight against Iowa by an average 28.0 points. Nebraska leads the series 27-12-3.

2. Nebraska WRs Kenny Bell (nine receptions 136 yards) and Jamal Turner (six, 83) posted career highs for catches and yards against the Gophers.

3. Iowa has played in the most games this season decided by three points or fewer among FBS teams and is 2-4 in those games.

PREDICTION: Nebraska 33, Iowa 16