Iowa expects best shot from Nebraska in Heroes Game

Now at 12-0, a win over Michigan State, Michigan or Ohio State (all three teams are still alive in the Big Ten East) would make Iowa 13-0, and no matter what you think of its overall resume, it’d be hard to say no to an undefeated Big Ten champion. The next challenge for Iowa is a Black Friday battle for the Hy-Vee Heroes Game trophy and Ferentz isn’t fooled by Nebraska’s 5-6 record (3-4 in the Big Ten Conference).

The four Hawkeyes to come away with interceptions: Hesse, Greg Mabin, Josey Jewell and Cole Fisher. “Now this is going to be a tougher, by far, opponent to do it against, but it’s going to be a key issue”. We know what kind of capabilities they have in beating Michigan State. It will be the Hawkeyes’ biggest test of the season, and a win would cement their place in the College Football Playoff.

The weekend’s games will decide the competitors in the Big Ten Championship games, and will see several rivals hit the field.

The undisciplined play that hamstrung Nebraska earlier in the season returned in a big way against Iowa and might have cost the Cornhuskers a chance to play in a bowl in Mike Riley’s first season as coach. Jordan Canzeri, LeShun Daniels and Akrum Wadley lead a potent ground game averaging 208 yards a game. “I didn’t. I felt like I let the seniors down”. “For our guys, my sense is they want to play and win, and whatever motivates them, it’s really about us more than anything”. I thought we might trip up on Nebraska, last game, lot at stake there.

Nebraska defensive coordinator Mark Banker expects four quarters of old-school football against the Hawkeyes, whose C.J. Beathard-led offense employs a stable of four running backs and heavily involves the tight ends in the passing game.

About the only remarkable thing that happened the last time that Iowa and Nebraska met was the Cornhuskers’ ability to rally from a 17-point second-half deficit and tie a record for the greatest road comeback in school history. The Hawkeyes took advantage to score the game’s lone TD in a 10-6 win.

The first quarter ended scoreless.

And things didn’t end there. A one-loss Iowa team does not get into the playoffs so the team can not afford to let up as they face a Nebraska team capable of getting the upset.

Who has Iowa beat?

“I feel like playing under coach Parker speaks for itself”. “Typically, any team that is doing well has good leadership”.

Fisher received a telephone call from Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz shortly after he suffered the injury.

IL (19-10, 10-8 Big Ten) started Big Ten play 2-4 but is 8-4 since. Then you go back to the running backs. “It was the best decision I ever made”. He took over the coordinator’s job three years ago and has done a masterful job with that.

The Hawkeyes just keep winning. But that’s Iowa football, for better or worse, and the unbeaten Hawkeyes continued their charge for a ideal regular season and top-four finish. He had all the talent, but not the 4.4 speed and 6-foot-plus size coaches were looking for. King had started 36 consecutive games.

“It warms my heart to watch him excel like he has because of all the hard work he’s put in”, Oden said.

Iowa continues to be the surprise team in the mix for the playoffs. Last year, Iowa blew a 24-7 third-quarter lead to the Huskers en route to losing in overtime, 37-34.