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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 |
