Nebraska vs. Iowa: Keys to victory, HuskerOnline score predictions for Friday

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Can Nebraska (3-8, 2-6) beat Iowa (7-4, 5-3) for the first time since the 2014 season?

The Huskers will try to play the role of spoiler, as the Hawkeyes must win to clinch the Big Ten West division title.

As things get closer to kickoff, here are today’s keys to victory for Nebraska, along with the HuskerOnline Week 13 score predictions. NU enters today’s game as a 10.5-point underdog against Iowa.

Kickoff for the Nebraska vs. Iowa game is set for 3 p.m. CT on the Big Ten Network.

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KEYS TO VICTORY: Nebraska vs. Iowa

KEY 1: Create field position

Nebraska will not be able to beat Iowa by just driving down the field on them. Nobody has done that to them all year. The Huskers must find ways to create field position in this football game.

KEY 2: Force Petras into a mistake

Hawkeye quarterback Spencer Petras has been a liability to their offense all season. Can the Huskers force Petras into a key mistake? Last week they were able to force Graham Mertz into a bad throw and it nearly helped them win the football game.

KEY 3: Execute third-and-shorts

There are going to be a lot of 3-and-short and third-and-medium situations in this football game for Nebraska. Can quarterback Casey Thompson and the offense execute in this situation? Not necessarily to score points but more to extend drives and change the field position.

KEY 4: Be buttoned up on special teams

Last year Iowa changed the football game in Lincoln by blocking a punt. You have to expect the Hawkeyes to try and do the same thing again today. The Huskers can not allow a game-changing mistake on special teams. It’s ironic the last time NU won against Iowa, special teams was a big reason why, as return man De’Mornay Pierson-El turned the football game.

KEY 5: Play like you want it

This has been a long, grinding season for Nebraska. However, that shouldn’t matter today. You are playing Iowa. They have won seven in a row against you. If that doesn’t fire you up, I don’t know what can.

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EXPERT TAKE

Sean Callahan – HuskerOnline Pubisher

This will be about like every Nebraska game we’ve seen for the last month. It will be close and hard-fought, but the Huskers’ inability to produce consistent drives on offense will be a problem. Iowa will create enough points with defense and special teams to win and capture the Big Ten West.

Iowa 16, Nebraska 10

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Steven Sipple – HuskerOnline columnist

It’ll be ugly. Neither offense will get much done. But Iowa will be Iowa and will force a couple turnovers and make at least one crucial play on special teams. Yes, it’ll help Nebraska that Sam LaPorta is sidelined, but fellow tight end Luke Lachey will do his share of damage for the Hawkeyes. Nebraska will show up for the fight but come up short once again.

Iowa 17, Nebraska 12

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Robin Washut – HuskerOnline senior writer

If Nebraska can at least get something out of its offense and keep Iowa from making game-changing plays on defense and special teams, it’s going to have a chance today. The Hawkeyes’ offense doesn’t scare you at all, but the Huskers will need to be close to perfect in the other two phases to pull off an upset. I don’t think NU will win, but given my prediction record this season, maybe that’s a good thing.

Iowa 21 Nebraska 10

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Andy Kendeigh – KETV ABC-Omaha

While the drama may be more compelling off the field than on for Husker fans, Nebraska has a golden opportunity to add a compelling chapter to a growing rivalry against Iowa.  However, the numbers say the Huskers will struggle against Jack Campbell and company.  On paper, Iowa has more to play for.  But, rivalries are different and you get the sense after all of the adversity and downright weirdness of 2022, the Huskers get a game to hang their hat on.  The Huskers get a signature win for Mickey Joseph and spoil the season for the Hawkeyes.

Nebraska 17, Iowa 14

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Jim Rose – 1110 KFAB Radio-Omaha

As spirited as the Huskers hope to be, this season is lost and spoiling somebody else’s party ain’t as much motivation as fans think.   The Hawks have EVERYTHING to lose (Big Ten Title game date) by sleepwalking in this one.  And with one of the best defenses in the country at home, this will be their day.

Iowa 20, Nebraska 7

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Mike’l Severe – Big Red Wrap-Up

Iowa needs this one to clinch a spot in Indianapolis in the Big Ten championship. I’m pretty sure they limit Nebraska in terms of explosive plays. But In the last two games, Iowa has been outgained by a total of 200 yards even though they won both games. I  expect Iowa to grind out the win and just try to get out of there with their health.

Iowa 20, Nebraska 13

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HuskerOnline Week 13 Score Predictions

Week 13	Sean Callahan	Steven Sipple	Robin Washut	Andy Kendeigh	Jim Rose	Mike’l Severe
Nebraska at Iowa	16-10 Iowa	17-12 Iowa	21-10 Iowa	17-14 Nebraska	20-7 Iowa	20-13 Iowa
Michigan at Ohio State	34-30 Ohio State	24-21 Michigan	34-31 Ohio State	31-24 Ohio State	31-20 Ohio State	31-21 Ohio State
Minnesota at Wisconsin	17-10 Wisconsin	26-20 Wisconsin	20-17 Minnesota	21-17 Wisconsin	14-13 Wisconsin	17-13 Minnesota
Cincinnati at Tulane	31-27 Cincinnati	24-20 Cincinnati	28-24 Cincinnati	20-14 Cincinnati	24-21 Cincinnati	27-21 Tulane
NC State at N. Carolina	38-34 North Carolina	35-24 North Carolina	35-27 North Carolina	42-21 North Carolina	35-28 North Carolina	30-17 North Carolina
Notre Dame at USC	38-27 USC	37-28 USC	23-16 USC	34-27 USC	31-24 USC	34-30 Notre Dame

HuskerOnline Score Prediction Standings

Expert picker	Straight Up	vs. The Spread	Cumulative Total
Mike’l Severe Big Red Wrap-Up	42-19	26-35	68
Sean Callahan HuskerOnline	37-24	29-32	66
Steven Sipple HuskerOnline	35-26	29-32	64
Andy Kendeigh KETV ABC-Omaha	37-24	27-34	64
Jim Rose KFAB/iHeart Radio	34-27	29-32	63
Robin Washut HuskerOnline	32-29	21-40	53