Iowa @ Nebraska preview
Memorial Stadium (Lincoln, NE)
Last Meeting ( Nov 23, 2012 ) Nebraska 13, Iowa 7
Iowa heads to Nebraska on Friday in the regular-season finale for two teams playing their best football in recent weeks, and both squads are riding the momentum of comeback victories. The Hawkeyes, who can double last season’s win total with a victory, rallied from a two-touchdown deficit to beat Michigan on Saturday for their third victory in the past four games. The Cornhuskers also have won three of four, and came from behind Saturday to edge Penn State in overtime.
The Hawkeyes are one of the most improved teams in the nation defensively, rising from ninth in the Big Ten to third in the conference and 13th nationally in points against. The Cornhuskers have struggled at times en route to eight victories, but Nebraska coach Bo Pelini has said he does not feel his job is in jeopardy. “I’m not coaching to save my job or anything else,” Pelini said Monday during his weekly press conference.
TV: Noon ET, ABC. LINE: Nebraska, -3
ABOUT IOWA (7-4, 4-3 Big Ten): The Hawkeyes are stout against the run, having allowed four rushing touchdowns in 11 games. Sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock, who had not taken a college snap until this season, has passed for 2,155 yards and 16 touchdowns. Iowa is 3-1 in road games, the only loss coming to Ohio State.
ABOUT NEBRASKA (8-3, 5-2): The Cornhuskers are 19th nationally in rushing, sparked by junior Ameer Abdullah. His 147 yards last week give him 1,483 for the season and 2,770 for his career, putting him seven yards shy of cracking Nebraska’s top 10 career rushing list. Nebraska has won eight consecutive games decided by seven points or less.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The Cornhuskers have won 11 of their past 13 Big Ten contests and a victory Friday would give Nebraska its sixth consecutive season of nine or more victories.
2. Iowa’s four losses have come to teams ranked in the BCS top 15 who possess a combined record of 42-3.
3. Nebraska leads the all-time series 28-12-3; Iowa has not won at Nebraska since 1943.
PREDICTION: Nebraska 21, Iowa 17