Are they going to play the game, when ESPN and so many would prefer the game be based style points and analytics?
Nebraska fans expect a one possession loss again, while Iowa fans expect an end to the six game winning streak on Friday.
Iowa is the #10 team per the Massey Ratings at 9-2 on the season. Nebraska is #35 at 3-8. Two B1G West teams, with something going to give on Friday, since ties aren't part of the game anymore.
In eight Big Ten games played, Iowa is 7th (24.9) and Nebraska is 6th at 27.3 points per game. So, should the 4 point spread surprise anyone in Lincoln?
Iowa has the fifth scoring defense at 18.5, while Nebraska is 9th at 26.4 points 🤔
Iowa's greatest weakness all season has been style points all throughout the climb to #2 in the land and the 6-0 record overall. Iowa is 3-2, since the climb ended from Top 25 to #2.
Quarterbacks:
- Adrian Martinez is the 4th rated passing in the Big Ten
- Spencer Petras is the 9th rated passer in the Big Ten
- Alex Padilla is 2-0 as Iowa's new starter, after Petras went down at Wisconsin and couldn't pass the first 3 series at Northwestern
Nebraska is the second strongest offense in the Big Ten, but only has one win in conference play. Iowa is 12th, and just beat #13 Illinois (who Nebraska lost in season opener) and #14 Indiana.
Iowa's defense is fourth in the Big Ten, ahead of Ohio State and Penn State. Nebraska is 9th. Nebraska has lost to four of the top five defensive teams in the conference, with Iowa next up.
Iowa is one of the better teams, when it comes to special teams. Head coach Scott Frost has a question this off season, does he fill one of the four open coaching positions with a full-time special teams coach?
The Cornhuskers are 14th in PATs and ninth in field goal kicking. Kickoffs are 11th and punting is 12th. Iowa has been the opposite, rating among the better teams, especially with RS Charlie Jones on kickoffs and punts.
Will Iowa get another special teams score, like 2019?
Didn't Nebraska give up a K0R in back to back games to end 2019?
It could happen again in 2021 for Scott Frost.
Iowa RB Tyler Goodson needs 55 yards to reach 1,000 yards for the season in all games. He is averaging 85 yards per B1G game, and is 7th now in conference games. Nebraska gets rushing yards from both RB Rahmir Johnson (60.7) and QB Martinez (43.3). Martinez is the game breaker with a 75 yard run in conference play. Johnson has a 29 yard run. Martinez ranks 3rd in B1G games in total offense this season.
Iowa's secondary is banged up and lately have been giving up some chunk plays, especially early in games the past 3 out of 4 games.
Nebraska has two of the Top 10 receivers in the conference in WR transfer WR Samori Toure and TE Austin Allen. In the lost against Purdue, a WR and TE combo was effective.
Iowa's passing game has had mix results, and a case of the drops this season. TE Sam LaPorta is ranked 25th in receiving for the Hawks to leads the unit. He didn't have a reception in Iowa’s 33-23 win over Illinois.
Iowa's offense has shown some improvement over the past three wins. Still inconsistent in execution and play calling, but WR/RS Jones is 9th in all purpose yardage in Big Ten play. QB Petras is 12th in total offense, while Goodson and Padilla are 21st and 22nd overall in B1G total offense.
How will Iowa's quarterback play factor in Lincoln?
More importantly, how will line play on offense and defense factor on Friday?
Will Iowa get it done in Week 13 to pull in their seventh straight Heroes Trophy win?
Iowa is 1-0 with a 27-17 win over one of those teams on the list. Two of those teams may finish .500 or less in 2021.
Final thought?
