Iowa Football Opponent Preview: Nebraska Cornhuskers

One more time from Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes return home after a win over Maryland to host the Nebraska Cornhuskers in the regular season finale on Black Friday. It will be the 54th all-time meeting between the two programs, with Iowa winning nine of the last 11.

The Huskers will enter this game with bowl eligibility locked up for the first time since 2016, after taking down Wisconsin 44-25 on Saturday. With the win, Nebraska snapped a four-game losing streak and ends their bowl drought at seven seasons.

Iowa currently sits as a 5.5-point favorite, marking the 11th time they have been favored this season, while it is the just the fourth time that Nebraska has been an underdog. The Hawkeyes are 4-2 against the spread at home this season, with an outright loss to Iowa State (-2.5) in week two. On the other hand, the Huskers are 3-4 against the spread as road underdogs under Matt Rhule, with a single outright win coming at Illinois (+3.5) last season.

CORNHUSKERS OFFENSE

2024 Numbers: 25.1 PPG (91st), 129.4 RUSH (100th), 231.5 PASS (62nd), 360.9 TOTAL (95th)

The Huskers offense is led by highly touted, five-star freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. He’s had an up and down season, completing 231 of 348 (66.4%) passes for 2,405 yards, 12 touchdowns and ten interceptions. Raiola is seventh in the Big Ten in completion percentage, but tied for second in interceptions thrown.

Also expect to see backup quarterback Heinrich Haarberg come on in certain situations, as the coaching staff likes to utilize his running ability. Haarberg has totaled 111 yards on 25 carries (4.1 ypc) this season, including a rushing touchdown against Wisconsin.

Joining Raiola in the backfield will be a pair of backs, starting with former Oregon running back Dante Dowdell. He has carried the ball 130 times this season for 564 yards (4.3 ypc) and 11 touchdowns. Sophomore Emmett Johnson has totaled 452 yards on 84 carries (5.4 ypc), but has gotten two of three double digit touch games the past two weeks with Dana Holgerson at OC.

At wideout, Nebraska has a number of weapons, starting with former Wyoming receiver Isaiah Neyor and Wake Forest transfer Jahmal Banks. Those two have combined for 68 catches, 915 yards, eight touchdowns and 45 first downs. When the Huskers need a big pass completion, look for Raiola to go their way, as the Neyor/Banks duo has nearly 40% of the team’s first down receptions.

Three-star freshman Jacory Barney Jr leads the team with 49 receptions, but does a lot of his work after the catch, with 26 of his catches coming behind the line of scrimmage. He has totaled 402 receiving yards, with 293 coming after the catch. The fourth-leading pass catcher is tight end Thomas Fidone, who has 30 receptions for 298 yards (9.9 ypr). Also look for running back Emmett Johnson to get some touches out of the backfield. He has 29 receptions for 237 yards (8.2 ypr) and one touchdown.

Looking at the Huskers offensive line, per Pro Football Focus, they rank 62nd in run blocking (63.9) and 54th in pass blocking (73.2). Offensive tackle Bryce Benhart (73.3) ranks as the 18th-best lineman in the Big Ten, while center Ben Scott is an excellent pass blocker, allowing just ten pressures over 392 snaps.

CORNHUSKERS DEFENSE

2024 Numbers: 20.5 PPG (27th), 110.9 RUSH (21st), 218.3 PASS (66th), 329.2 TOTAL (35th)

Starting up front on the Nebraska defense, the Iowa offensive line will have their work cut out for them facing a front four that can pressure the quarterback. Defensive tackle Ty Robinson is a game wrecker, totaling 30 tackles, ten tackles for loss, six sacks and 31 pressures. Nash Hutmacher (22 tkls, 4 tfls, 13 pressures) is the other interior lineman.

On the edge, Jimari Butler (21 tkls, 6.5 tfls) and James Williams (13 tkls, 4 sks) can really get after the quarterback, combining for 48 pressures. The other two names to know are MJ Sherman (24 tkls, 3.5 sks) and Princewill Umanmielen (13 tkls, 2.5 tfls). Nebraska is fifth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (65.0) and sixth in sacks (26.0). A lot of that chaos is started up front.

At linebacker, the Huskers are led by senior John Bullock (60 tkls, 7.5 tfls) and junior Mikai Gbayor (47 tkls, 6.0 tfls). Bullock (78.0) is rated as the 6th-best linebacker in the Big Ten by PFF. Other names to know are linebacker are Syracuse transfer Stefon Thompson (26 tkls) and senior Javin Wright (24 tkls).

Rounding the Nebraska defense, the Huskers secondary ranks 75th in the country in pass coverage grade (77.9) and are tied for fourth in the Big Ten with 11 interceptions. Defensive coordinator Tony White relies on his safeties to make plays, with fifth-year senior Isaac Gifford (65 tkls) and DeShon Singleton (62 tkls) ranking as the top two tacklers on the defense.

At cornerback, Ceyair Wright (34 tkls, 2 INT) is the top coverage man for the Huskers. Opponents have completed just 23 of 40 (57.5%) passes in his direction for 269 yards (11.7 ypr). Malcolm Hartzog (38 tkls) leads the team with four interceptions, but he’s been boom or bust, allowing opponents to complete 32 of 50 (64.0%) passes for 460 yards (14.4 ypr) and six touchdowns. No other Big Ten corner has allowed more touchdowns this season. The other corner to know is Marques Buford. He has totaled 29 tackles this season and has allowed opponents to complete 28 of 40 (70.0%) passes for 353 yards (12.6 ypr) when in coverage.

CORNHUSKERS SPECIAL TEAMS

Kick Returner Jacory Barney Jr: 11 returns, 232 yds, 21.1 AVG, LNG 45

Punt Returner Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda: 11 returns, 60 yds, 5.5 AVG, LNG 13

Kicker John Hohl: 9/13 FG, 20/21 PAT, LNG 54

Punter Brian Buschini: 37 punts, 1,722 yds, 46.5 AVG, 14 In20, LNG 69

FINAL THOUGHT

Not much needs to be said about this one. It’s Iowa and Nebraska. It doesn’t matter whether both teams are 11-0 or 0-11, they want to end the regular season hoisting the Heroes Trophy. For Iowa, a win would likely send them to the ReliaQuest Bowl for a matchup against a highly ranked SEC opponent, while a loss could drop them down a spot or two on the ladder. The Iowa defense really flustered a dangerous Maryland offense last week, can they do it again against Nebraska? Meanwhile, Jackson Stratton looked far better than his QB4 title and will be looking to lead the Hawkeye offense to another successful performance. The last six in this series have been decided by one score, so buckle up.