For over 130 years, two programs that despise each other square off. Despite that disdain, both programs put their differences aside to honor the heroes in their communities.
We head to Iowa City, where the Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-5, 3-5 Big Ten) visit the Iowa Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3) in the annual Heroes Game.
Nebraska is bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016 after a dominating win against Wisconsin, 44-25. Either way, I can’t help but feel disappointed for the Huskers. They started the season as one of the hottest programs in the nation with a 5-1 start and ended up losing in four out of their next five.
Iowa has been bowl-eligible for a few weeks now, but for the most part, it’s been an up-and-down season for the Hawks. They’re coming off a convincing 29-13 win against Maryland but have been unable to gain any momentum, as their longest win streak this season is two games.
Iowa is a 5.5-point favorite on the spread with a 39.5-point over/under.
Where does the betting value lie? Read more for my Nebraska vs. Iowa predictions and college football picks.
Nebraska vs. Iowa Predictions, Best Bet
- Nebraska vs Iowa Pick: Iowa -5.5
My Nebraska-Iowa best bet is on the Hawkeyes to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at BetMGM, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Nebraska vs. Iowa Odds, Lines, Spread
| Nebraska Cornhuskers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
+3.5 -122 | 41.5 -110o / -110u | +122 |
| Iowa Hawkeyes Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Over/Under | Moneyline |
-3.5 +100 | 41.5 -110o / -110u | -146 |
- Nebraska vs. Iowa Spread: Iowa -3.5, Nebraska +3.5
- Nebraska vs. Iowa Over/Under: 41.5
- Nebraska vs. Iowa Moneyline: Iowa ML -146, Nebraska ML +122
Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes NCAAF Week 14 Preview
Nebraska Cornhuskers Betting Preview
Did Dylan Raiola get too cocky? It appears the true freshman still has a lot to learn.
I don’t think I saw a true freshman as poised as he was at quarterback in the first six games. Then Indiana humbled him quickly with a 56-7 pummeling. Since that game in Week 8, Raiola has thrown only three touchdowns and a whopping seven interceptions.
However, it looks like he’s getting back in a groove, completing passes at a 72% rate in the past two games.
Raiola has two favorite targets in Isaiah Neyor and Jahmal Banks, who have been as reliable as they come, averaging 14 and 13 yards per catch, respectively.
What’s funny is that both combined account for 66% of Nebraska’s receiving touchdowns, but because of Raiola’s slump, they each have found the endzone once since Week 8.
The run game starts and ends with Dante Dowdell, who has found the endzone 11 times and has helped Nebraska achieve a 39th-best Rush Success Rate.
The book is out on the Huskers. Run the ball, and you will be rewarded accordingly. Teams run against Nebraska at a top-10 rate because it’s ranked 103rd in Rush Success Rate allowed. That plays exceptionally well for the Hawkeyes, who run the ball a decent amount.
Iowa Hawkeyes Betting Preview
You should always expect two aspects of a Kirk Ferentz-run program: heavy on defense and pound the rock.
Running back Kaleb Johnson has been at the forefront of Iowa’s season, running for over 1500 yards at 6.7 yards per carry with an astounding 21 touchdowns.
Johnson’s presence has become massive for the Hawks, considering the quarterback situation in Iowa City remains in limbo as of this writing.
Cade McNamara suffered a concussion in a win against Northwestern on Oct. 26 and hasn’t played since. In Iowa’s initial depth chart, neither McNamara nor backup Brendan Sullivan were listed and walk-on sophomore Jackson Stratton would be taking first-team snaps.
We’ll have to keep an eye on it closer to game time. Despite that, I still expect Johnson to have a significant role, given Nebraska’s struggles against the run. Iowa has never been a program to throw a bunch.
The Hawks excel in defense, though, ranking 16th nationally in Pass Down Success Rate allowed and ninth in Explosiveness allowed. They’re also the top team in the nation in preventing explosive plays against the run.
Nebraska does nothing spectacular, so I’d imagine if Iowa approaches this as “business as usual,” the opposing score will be limited.
Iowa vs. Nebraska Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Iowa and Nebraska match up statistically:
Nebraska Offense vs. Iowa Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 44 | 89 | |
| Line Yards | 37 | 82 | |
| Pass Success | 55 | 39 | |
| Havoc | 67 | 54 | |
| Finishing Drives | 108 | 30 | |
| Quality Drives | 69 | 10 | |
Iowa Offense vs. Nebraska Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 57 | 70 | |
| Line Yards | 59 | 67 | |
| Pass Success | 87 | 96 | |
| Havoc | 57 | 35 | |
| Finishing Drives | 82 | 23 | |
| Quality Drives | 59 | 24 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 21 | 43 |
| PFF Coverage | 75 | 3 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 112 | 6 |
| Middle 8 | 34 | 36 |
| Seconds per Play | 28.0 (94) | 30.0 (121) |
| Rush Rate | 50% (89) | 66% (8) |
Nebraska vs. Iowa Best Bets, Picks
Based on what I’ve seen out of Nebraska this season, I foresee Raiola struggling against Iowa.
The Huskers are solid at preventing Havoc, but Iowa is exceptional at generating it.
Raiola gets sacked 2.2 times per game, which is 79th in the country. Iowa has some dogs on the frontline, such as Ethan Hurkett, Aaron Graves, and Max Llewellyn, who have combined for 15 sacks.
If the d-line wasn’t enough for you, linebacker Jay Higgins is tied for fourth in interceptions, with DBs Quinn Schulte and Jermari Harris having three. Harris specifically leads the team in passes defended and is the only one with a pick-six.
Take the points with the Hawkeyes as they win their second consecutive Heroes Game.
Pick: Iowa -5.5
Nebraska vs. Iowa Channel, How To Watch, Location, Start Time, Streaming
| Location: | Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA |
| Date: | Friday, Nov. 29 |
| Kickoff Time: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | NBC |
Nebraska vs Iowa will be played at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa, on Friday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET. You can stream the game live on NBC.
Nebraska vs. Iowa Betting Trends
Nebraska vs. Iowa Weather
