It’s Black Friday — and that means one thing in the Midwest: Hawkeyes vs Cornhuskers. The annual border clash is back as Iowa (7-4) visits Nebraska (7-4) in what’s become one of the Big Ten’s most entertaining Thanksgiving weekend rivalries.
Separated by only 300 miles, these teams have delivered seven straight one-score games since 2018, each loaded with drama, defense, and last-minute heroics. This year, both squads are bowl-bound but eager to cap the regular season with bragging rights and momentum heading into December.
For Iowa, a grind-it-out win over Michigan State kept hopes alive for an eight-win campaign. Nebraska, on the other hand, is licking its wounds after a blowout loss at Penn State — and hoping freshman quarterback TJ Lateef can ignite the offense against the nation’s most suffocating defense.
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📺 Where to Watch Iowa vs. Nebraska? (November 28)
| Segment | Network | Time (ET) |
| Kickoff | CBS | 12:00 PM |
| Streaming | Paramount+ | 12:00 PM |
💰 Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total (O/U) |
| Iowa Hawkeyes | −5.5 (−110) | −220 | 39.5 (Under −115) |
| Nebraska Cornhuskers | +5.5 (−110) | +180 | 39.5 (Over −105) |
ATS Trends:
- Iowa is 7–3 ATS in its last 10 Big Ten games.
- Nebraska is 5–1 ATS in its last 6 home games.
- The Under has hit in 8 of Iowa’s last 9 games.
🧩 Team Breakdowns
🟡 Iowa Hawkeyes (7–4, 5–3 Big Ten)
Iowa football continues to be the model of Big Ten consistency — elite defense, minimal risk on offense, and just enough special teams magic to win ugly.
QB Mark Gronowski (transfer from South Dakota State) has stabilized the passing game, while RB Kaleb Johnson and all-purpose threat Kaden Wetjen carry the offensive load. Iowa’s strength, however, remains its defense — allowing just 14.8 points per game, ranked top 10 nationally.
Wetjen’s punt-return explosiveness (two touchdowns this season) and Drew Stevens’ clutch kicking make Iowa deadly in low-scoring games.
Keys to Win:
- Win field position battle
- Stop Nebraska RB Emmett Johnson early
- Force TJ Lateef into 3rd-and-long situations
🔴 Nebraska Cornhuskers (7–4, 4–4 Big Ten)
Coach Matt Rhule’s Cornhuskers are ahead of schedule, and the future looks bright — especially with freshman QB TJ Lateef showing promise.
Lateef has completed 70% of his passes (50/71) with four TDs and no picks, but he’ll face his toughest test yet against Iowa’s zone-heavy secondary. The Huskers’ X-factor remains RB Emmett Johnson, the Big Ten’s leading rusher (1,234 yards, 11 TDs), riding four straight 100-yard games.
Defensively, LB Javin Wright and DB DeShon Singleton anchor a unit that’s physical but inconsistent — surrendering over 30 points in back-to-back losses.
Keys to Win:
- Establish Johnson early; control tempo
- Protect Lateef vs Iowa’s disguised blitz looks
- Limit Iowa’s special teams chunk plays
⚔️ Matchup Stats
| Category | Iowa | Nebraska |
| Record | 7–4 | 7–4 |
| Points/Game | 21.1 | 26.8 |
| Points Allowed/Game | 14.8 | 22.7 |
| Rush Yards/Game | 163.5 | 188.3 |
| Pass Yards/Game | 155.7 | 176.9 |
| Turnover Margin | +6 | +2 |
| 3rd Down Conversion | 38% | 42% |
| Red Zone TD % | 51% | 61% |
🧠 Game Analysis
This matchup once again comes down to Iowa’s defensive patience vs Nebraska’s offensive ambition.
Expect the Hawkeyes to dictate tempo with clock-draining drives and field position warfare, relying heavily on punter Tory Taylor 2.0 and an opportunistic defense that thrives on takeaways.
Nebraska will test Iowa’s front seven with Emmett Johnson’s cutback runs and read-option looks, but Lateef’s inexperience could be exposed by coordinator Phil Parker’s disguise-heavy coverage packages.
Iowa’s offense won’t win style points, but in a low-possession game, three scoring drives might be enough.
💣 Betting Analysis
| Market | Pick | Confidence | Notes |
| Spread (Iowa −5.5) | ✅ Iowa −5.5 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Nebraska’s youth faces elite defense |
| Total (Under 39.5) | ✅ Under 39.5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Both teams play slow and methodical |
| First Half Total (Under 20) | ✅ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Expect long drives, punts, and defense early |
| Prop: Emmett Johnson O/U 95.5 Rush Yds | 🔥 Over | ⭐⭐⭐ | Only elite defenses slow him down |
| Prop: Iowa DEF/ST Anytime TD | 💣 Value (+450) | ⭐⭐ | Hawkeyes’ special teams magic |
💵 ClutchBuzz Black Friday Parlay Slip
| Leg | Bet Type | Pick | Odds | Reasoning |
| 🧱 1 | Spread | Iowa −5.5 | −110 | Hawkeyes’ elite defense forces freshman QB mistakes in 2nd half. |
| ⏰ 2 | Total | Under 39.5 | −115 | Classic Iowa grindfest — both teams average < 3 TDs per game. |
| 🚀 3 | Player Prop | Emmett Johnson Over 95.5 Rush Yards | −110 | Nebraska RB has 4 straight 100+ yd games; still productive even in loss. |
💰 Parlay Odds: +540 (5.4x payout)
🏈 Risk: $50 → Win: $270
🔥 Confidence: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
Summary:
Bet on Iowa’s defense to dominate and Emmett Johnson to still find ground success. Expect another low-scoring, hard-fought classic — perfect for a Black Friday bankroll booster.
🔮 Final ClutchBuzz Prediction
| Pick | Winner | Score | Confidence |
| ✅ Iowa Hawkeyes | def. Nebraska Cornhuskers | 24–16 | 7.5 / 10 |
Summary:
Iowa’s formula never changes — grind clock, win field position, and dominate with defense. Nebraska’s offense will have flashes, but turnovers and stalled drives will shift momentum late. Expect another one-score affair deep into the 4th quarter before a late Iowa touchdown seals it.
Final Verdict: Iowa 24, Nebraska 16
ATS: Iowa −5.5
Total: Under 39.5
