Will the Fourth Time Be a Charm for Nebraska?
Maybe the fourth time will be a charm for the Cornhusker football program. Why? Because this will be the fourth game in a row that Nebraska has been stuck on five wins. Win any one of them and the Huskers would be a lock to go bowling.
But NU couldn't get it done against Michigan State (on a six-game losing streak); or Maryland (four-game skid). And last Saturday night at Camp Randall, it was a 5-5 Wisconsin team that came into the contest on a three-game losing skid.
Next up is a 9-2 Hawkeye team that is on a three-game win streak. In the process, they have beaten two bowl-bound teams: Northwestern (10-7) and Rutgers (22-0). Last Saturday, Iowa defeated a 5-5 Illinois team at home 15-13.
So how do Iowa and Nebraska stack up against each other in the national rankings?
| Offense | Iowa | Neb. |
|---|---|---|
Scoring | 123 | 102 |
Rush | 107 | 27 |
Pass | 130 | 129 |
Total Offense | 133 | 115 |
| Defense and Misc. | Iowa | Neb. |
|---|---|---|
Scoring | 3 | 19 |
Rush | 20 | 6 |
Pass | 10 | 58 |
Total Defense | 7 | 15 |
Possession Time | 99 | 37 |
Turnover Margin | 94 | 132 |
With numbers like these, the game should be another low-scoring contest.
Both teams will be fighting for the win. For the Hawkeyes, it would get them to 10 wins. Iowa fans also remember it was Nebraska that spoiled their team's chance to play in the Big Ten Championship game last year by hanging on for a 24-17 Husker win.
Iowa would also like to return the favor this Friday by keeping NU from bowl consideration.
Nothing fancy
Bowl eligibility. That's all Nebraska is asking for Friday. Nothing fancy. Just a 6-6 season and a bowl game. A pretty modest wish for a program that hasn't tasted the fruits of a bowl game since 2016.
Can Nebraska "Git 'r done"?
It will be no small task. Saturday night, Nebraska played its best game of the season in an OT loss at Wisconsin.
Close but no cigar. Despite the loss, Nebraska may have found its quarterback of the future. Chubba Purdy, nursing a groin injury most of the season, started the game and performed valiantly at times. The main thing Purdy brings is that he doesn't turn the ball over. NU's only turnover came on a desperation heave in OT on the game's last play.
If Chubba Purdy and the rest of the team play at the level they played Saturday night at Wisconsin, Nebraska just might eke out a win in Lincoln.
This one will likely come down to the last play of the game. Hang on, Husker fans. It's going to be a bumpy ride.
How ’Bout Them Huskers
Will and I review the loss at Wisconsin, pick our players of the game and give our thoughts on Friday's season finale with the Iowa Hawkeyes.
- Related: HuskerMax Iowa game page
