The Cornhuskers are 5-6 on the season, but a win over Iowa would be a major statement from this program. It’s worth examining that Iowa is just a two-point favorite in what is one of the biggest games in school history. They must play their best game in this week as Beathard has the ability to keep extending plays and points on the board. Throw in Nebraska’s minus-10 and you could have a real issue. Their schedule has been easy, by Power Five conference standards, but going undefeated is a highly hard task no matter what the schedule looks like. These teams have arguably just as good of defenses as the Hawkeyes, but also have some better weapons on the outside for QBs Connor Cook (MSU) and DeShone Kizer (ND) to work with.
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“I think what’s unique to college football – I’m not so sure it’s new today – there are always opportunities for stories to emerge”, he said on the Big Ten coaches’ call.
“Our job is to be able to play with those guys, go out and compete with them”, Ferentz said.
“This is the one I’ll have to live with forever, ” Fisher said. With Iowa in the mid-50’s in recruiting, they are just a slight bit off from top 10. However, they will be facing a defense that ranks No. 10 in the nation against the run. They lead the conference in interceptions with eight coming from junior cornerback Desmond King.
Cornhuskers’ WR Jordan Westerkamp said, “They’ll definitely remember that from previous year and take it into this week”, so there is little ambiguity that this rivalry is getting pretty intense.
University of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz referenced that again Tuesday at his weekly gathering with media in the Stew and LeNore Hansen Football Performance Center. The Cornhuskers have won two straight including a big win over Michigan State, and they would like nothing more than to hand Iowa their first loss of the season.
Iowa’s greatest compliments so far this year from the national media is that they have solid fundamentals and take care of the football. “I don’t sense a lot of hoopla with this team, they have a nice even-keel approach right now”. The Hawkeyes beat Purdue last week to wrap up the Big Ten West and if they beat Nebraska then top the Big Ten East victor in the Big Ten Championship Game next week, they’ll be selected for the College Football Playoff. The Hawkeyes have moved in to the fourth spot in the College Football Playoff Poll, and a win against Nebraska would solidify their chances at making the playoff.
The 2014 Hy-Vee Heroes games was a centerpiece of inspiration that led to an offseason attitude overhaul in Iowa City.
In its last game before the bye, Nebraska defeated Rutgers 31-14.
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It’s hard to imagine, Long said, that it’s been 30 years since he wrapped up his star-studded collegiate career. “It’s really fun and exciting to be with all those guys and be a part of it”. Ferentz has gone from the hot seat to candidate for national coach of the year. But when you’re winning and having a magical year you can’t wait to get to the next meeting, the next function or whatever the case may be.
