Link: http://collegefootballnews.com/2017/11/iowa-vs-nebraska-fearless-prediction-game-preview
Iowa at Nebraska Preview & Fearless Prediction
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
Iowa (6-5) at Nebraska (4-7)
Friday, November 24 - 4:00 p.m. ET - FS1
Nebraska is trying. It's just not very good at this college football thing at the moment.
While the idea of Scott Frost or Mike Leach riding in to save the day might be what's getting Husker fans through the dismal season, the team, at least isn't giving up.
The defense is a disaster, but the offense roared back last week to make things interesting in a 56-44 loss to Penn State.
Losers of five of the last six games, this is it. It's not official, but there won't be any Mike Riley era after this, which stinks because he's a great guy. But it's what has to happen because Nebraska, again, isn't good at this college football thing.
But Iowa isn't exactly setting the world on fire over the last two weeks, either.
The blowout win over Ohio State was an all-timer, and then the Hawkeyes followed it up with a historic loss to Wisconsin, gaining just 66 yards in a blowout clunker.
But that's fine. Wisconsin is a national-championship caliber team. Purdue isn't.
The 24-15 loss gave the Boilermakers hope, and while Iowa might be going bowling, they need to find their groove again.
One Reason Iowa Might Win
It's been an embarrassing run for a defense that's dead last in the Big Ten in scoring D and second-to-last in America in tackles for loss.
There's absolutely no pressure in the backfield, and it's showing with nothing happening against the run.
Minnesota's ground game wasn't doing a whole of lot anything over the second half of the season -- until it dealt with Nebraska.
The Gophers tore off 409 yards and six scores on the ground, and promptly followed that up with just 239 yards in a shutout against Northwestern.
The Huskers have allowed 199 yards or more on the ground in each of its last six games with 22 touchdowns.
Iowa RB Akrum Wadley, it's time to go off. But .......
One Reason Why Nebraska Might Win
.... Yeah, about that running game for Iowa. It's not happening.
The Hawkeyes have only hit the 100-yard mark twice in the last five games for an offense that's scored 17 or fewer points five times in the last seven outings. Unless it's dealing with the Buckeyes, there's no pop to an attack that can't seem to keep the chains moving.
Nebraska, if your defense was ever going to rise up and do something great, this would be it.
On the other side, it's up to Tanner Lee to get this going.
Out of the concussion protocol after getting hurt against Minnesota, he threw for 399 yards and three scores with no picks against Penn State. After having a slew of interception problems early in the season, he hasn't thrown an interception in four of his last five games.
What's Going to Happen
Nebraska will send off Riley on a high note.
Iowa's offense will fizzle again, the effort will be there from the Huskers on both sides of the ball, and Lee and the offense will do enough to get up early and take control the rest of the way.
It might not be scintillating, but considering all of the problems, finishing 5-7 will look a whole lot stronger than 4-8.
Prediction
Nebraska 24, Iowa 17
Spread
Iowa is favored on the road by 3 points
Iowa at Nebraska Preview & Fearless Prediction
by Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com
Iowa (6-5) at Nebraska (4-7)
Friday, November 24 - 4:00 p.m. ET - FS1
Nebraska is trying. It's just not very good at this college football thing at the moment.
While the idea of Scott Frost or Mike Leach riding in to save the day might be what's getting Husker fans through the dismal season, the team, at least isn't giving up.
The defense is a disaster, but the offense roared back last week to make things interesting in a 56-44 loss to Penn State.
Losers of five of the last six games, this is it. It's not official, but there won't be any Mike Riley era after this, which stinks because he's a great guy. But it's what has to happen because Nebraska, again, isn't good at this college football thing.
But Iowa isn't exactly setting the world on fire over the last two weeks, either.
The blowout win over Ohio State was an all-timer, and then the Hawkeyes followed it up with a historic loss to Wisconsin, gaining just 66 yards in a blowout clunker.
But that's fine. Wisconsin is a national-championship caliber team. Purdue isn't.
The 24-15 loss gave the Boilermakers hope, and while Iowa might be going bowling, they need to find their groove again.
One Reason Iowa Might Win
It's been an embarrassing run for a defense that's dead last in the Big Ten in scoring D and second-to-last in America in tackles for loss.
There's absolutely no pressure in the backfield, and it's showing with nothing happening against the run.
Minnesota's ground game wasn't doing a whole of lot anything over the second half of the season -- until it dealt with Nebraska.
The Gophers tore off 409 yards and six scores on the ground, and promptly followed that up with just 239 yards in a shutout against Northwestern.
The Huskers have allowed 199 yards or more on the ground in each of its last six games with 22 touchdowns.
Iowa RB Akrum Wadley, it's time to go off. But .......
One Reason Why Nebraska Might Win
.... Yeah, about that running game for Iowa. It's not happening.
The Hawkeyes have only hit the 100-yard mark twice in the last five games for an offense that's scored 17 or fewer points five times in the last seven outings. Unless it's dealing with the Buckeyes, there's no pop to an attack that can't seem to keep the chains moving.
Nebraska, if your defense was ever going to rise up and do something great, this would be it.
On the other side, it's up to Tanner Lee to get this going.
Out of the concussion protocol after getting hurt against Minnesota, he threw for 399 yards and three scores with no picks against Penn State. After having a slew of interception problems early in the season, he hasn't thrown an interception in four of his last five games.
What's Going to Happen
Nebraska will send off Riley on a high note.
Iowa's offense will fizzle again, the effort will be there from the Huskers on both sides of the ball, and Lee and the offense will do enough to get up early and take control the rest of the way.
It might not be scintillating, but considering all of the problems, finishing 5-7 will look a whole lot stronger than 4-8.
Prediction
Nebraska 24, Iowa 17
Spread
Iowa is favored on the road by 3 points
