Iowa Hawkeyes vs Nebraska Cornhuskers Picks and Predictions November 29th 2024

Iowa Hawkeyes vs Nebraska Cornhuskers November 29th 2024

At 7:30 ET, Iowa will be hosting Nebraska at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The game is being televised on NBC, and Iowa comes in with a 7-4 record this season, while Nebraska is 6-5. Iowa is favored at -5.5 points, with the over/under line set at 39.5 points. The money line odds are +173 for Nebraska and -211 for Iowa.

Nebraska vs. Iowa Key Information

Nebraska enters Week 14 with a 6-5 record, facing Iowa on the road. They are ranked 44th in our power rankings and are guaranteed bowl eligibility. The Cornhuskers have gone 4-1 at home this season but are 1-3 on the road.

Nebraska has been favored in six of their 11 games, going 5-1 as the favorite. Their average scoring margin is +4.6 points per game, and they have a 5-3-1 record against the spread this season.

The over/under line for this week is 39.5 points. Nebraska’s games have averaged 45.5 points, with an average over/under line of 45.8 points. Their over/under record for the season is 3-6.

Nebraska’s offense is averaging 25.1 points per game heading into week 14, placing them 71st in the nation. However, they are ranked 52nd in our offensive power rankings. Their passing game is their strength, ranking 34th in passing attempts per game, with 22 completions per game. They are 59th in passing yards, averaging 230.4 yards per game, but they rank 19th in completion percentage at 65.8%.

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Dylan Raiola leads Nebraska’s passing attack with 2,392 yards and a 66.3% completion rate. He has thrown 12 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, with a passer rating of 85. Nebraska’s rushing game is less effective, averaging 130.7 yards per game. Dante Dowdell leads the team with 564 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. Jahmal Banks is the top receiver with 467 yards and three touchdowns.

Nebraska’s defense has been solid this season, ranking 24th nationally by allowing just 20.5 points per game. Against Wisconsin, they gave up 25 points but also forced an interception. The Cornhuskers allowed 409 total yards, including 292 passing yards, though they held Wisconsin to 117 rushing yards on 24 attempts.

Opponents have averaged 113.6 rushing yards per game on 29.5 attempts against Nebraska, which ranks 26th in the country. Through the air, Nebraska has allowed 218.3 passing yards per game, with quarterbacks completing 66.1% of their passes and posting a 96.3 passer rating.

Iowa enters Week 14 with a 7-4 record, ranked 20th in our power rankings. They are 4-1 at home this season and are already bowl-eligible. However, they have a 0% chance of winning the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes have been favored in nine of their 11 games this season.

Iowa’s ATS record stands at 5-5, with a +11.6 average scoring margin. They are 3-2 against the spread at home and 5-4 as the favorite.

Their over/under record is 8-2, with Iowa games averaging 47.1 points. The average over/under line is 40 points, and this week’s line is set at 39.5 points.

Heading into week 14, Iowa’s offense ranks 45th in points per game, scoring 29.4, and sits 65th in our offensive power rankings. Their strength is the run game, averaging 214.4 rushing yards per game, which ranks 13th nationally. They are 22nd in rushing attempts, with 39.5 per game, and convert 43.4% of their third downs, ranking 39th.

Kaleb Johnson leads the rushing attack with 1,492 yards and 21 touchdowns, averaging 6 yards per carry. Quarterback Cade McNamara has thrown for 1,017 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions, giving him a passer rating of 76.

In their latest game, Iowa’s defense allowed just 13 points against Maryland, giving up 227 total yards. They held Maryland to 98 rushing yards on 26 attempts and 129 passing yards, while also forcing two interceptions.

For the season, Iowa’s defense ranks 12th nationally, allowing 17.7 points per game. They’ve given up 115.7 rushing yards per game (29th) and 196.7 passing yards per game. Opposing quarterbacks have a 76.1 passer rating and a 62.2% completion rate against Iowa.

Nebraska is coming into this game as the +5.5 point underdogs on the road vs. Iowa. We have them not only winning straight up but also covering the spread. Our projected final score is 22-19 in favor of Nebraska.

With the over/under line sitting at just 39.5 points, we see this one going just over that number, with a combined score of 41 points.

Charging Nebraska Looks to Spoil Iowa’s Bid for Eight Wins

When Nebraska visits Iowa on Friday to battle for the Heroes Trophy, it won’t just be a traditional Big Ten rivalry game—it’s an opportunity for both teams to cap their seasons with a strong statement. Nebraska, freshly bowl-eligible for the first time since 2016, aims to derail Iowa’s pursuit of an eight-win season while maintaining its late-season momentum.

Nebraska: Breaking Barriers and Building Momentum

For the first time in eight years, Nebraska’s season won’t end with its matchup against Iowa. The Cornhuskers (6-5, 3-5 Big Ten) punched their ticket to bowl season with a thrilling victory over Wisconsin last week, snapping a nine-game losing streak in contests where bowl eligibility was at stake.

Second-year head coach Matt Rhule lauded his team’s resilience:
“This is really hard, this has been hard. It requires really tough people to do the stuff that we’ve been trying to do to get over that hump.”

Nebraska’s offense shone in the win over Wisconsin, putting up 44 points—their most since a 2021 rout of Northwestern. A key factor has been the midseason addition of Dana Holgorsen as offensive play-caller. The former West Virginia and Houston head coach has brought a spark to the Cornhuskers’ attack.
“Dana has done an amazing job,” Rhule said. “He’s just talking about execution the whole time.”

Iowa: Chasing Another Milestone

The Hawkeyes (7-4, 5-3 Big Ten) are gunning for their fourth consecutive eight-win season and the ninth such campaign under longtime head coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa’s offense has been a revelation this season, averaging 29.4 points per game—nearly double last year’s production (15.4).

Ferentz credits his veteran players for setting the tone:
“I think our older guys have really done a good job of playing well and giving us leadership.”

Iowa’s offense is fueled by Kaleb Johnson, the Big Ten’s leading rusher with 1,492 yards and a school-record 21 touchdowns. The Doak Walker Award finalist is within striking distance of Shonn Greene’s single-season rushing record of 1,850 yards set in 2008. Johnson’s consistency and explosiveness make him a nightmare for defenses.

Adding intrigue, quarterback Cade McNamara could return after missing three games with a concussion, potentially giving the Hawkeyes an additional offensive boost.

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Key Matchups to Watch

1. Nebraska’s Offense vs. Iowa’s Home Dominance
   Iowa is 5-1 at Kinnick Stadium this season, winning its Big Ten home games by an average of 27.3 points. Can Nebraska’s revitalized offense, led by Holgorsen’s play-calling, crack the Hawkeyes’ fortress?
2. Kaleb Johnson vs. Nebraska’s Run Defense
   Johnson’s ability to dominate on the ground has been the foundation of Iowa’s success. Nebraska’s defense will need to contain him to have a chance at pulling the upset.
3. Quarterback Play
   If Cade McNamara returns, Iowa could see a more dynamic passing attack. Meanwhile, Nebraska’s ability to sustain drives and capitalize in the red zone will be critical.

What’s on the Line

For Nebraska, this game is about building momentum heading into its first bowl game in seven years. For Iowa, an eighth win would cement another strong season and provide a springboard for postseason play.

With both teams eager to claim the Heroes Trophy and cap their seasons on a high note, this rivalry matchup promises intensity, physicality, and plenty of drama.