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Iowa Football: Hawks, Huskers set for Heroes Game showdown

By Dana Becker

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts during the game agains the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Kirk Ferentz of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts during the game agains the Michigan State Spartans in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Before the year started, many pointed to the Nebraska vs. Iowa football game as the one that would ultimately decide the winner of the Big Ten West.

Instead, Northwestern took care of that title a few weeks ago, leaving the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers to battle for bragging rights and a little more.

Dubbed “The Heroes Game,” this will mark the 49th meeting all-time between the bordering states. Nebraska leads the overall series, 29-16-3, but Iowa has claimed the Heroes Trophy in each of the past three encounters. The series was played mostly in the first half of the 20th century, but has been reborn since the arrival of the Huskers to the Big Ten.

Last year, it was the Hawkeyes posting a commanding 56-14 victory, a year after winning 40-10. The last victory by the Huskers came in Iowa City, though, by a score of 37-34 in overtime in 2014.

While Nebraska will not qualify for a bowl with a victory, they can finish the year on a strong note with three consecutive wins after defeating Illinois and Michigan State in back-to-back weeks.

For Iowa, a win would get them to eight on the season and a much better bowl game come the end of December.

Here’s how you can watch the Heroes Game on Friday after Thanksgiving:

Date: Friday, Nov. 23
Time: Noon ET
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Venue: Kinnick Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOXSportsGO | Fubo TV

Keys to Victory

This is Nebraska’s bowl game, as the Huskers can do no better than five wins on the year. However, closing with three consecutive victories, including two over Michigan State and Iowa, would position them nicely for the offseason and heading into next year. Adrian Martinez and the ground game will find it tough sledding once more a week after going up against the stout defense of Michigan State.

For Iowa, this is a huge chance to reach eight wins and have an opportunity to go 9-4 on the year. While many were hoping for more, that is another respectable season for the Hawkeyes, who have plenty of talent coming back on both sides of the ball.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of OddsShark

Point Spread: Iowa -8.5
Over/Under: N/A

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Prediction

With so much riding on this game for both teams in differing ways, look for the Hawkeyes to come out and try to control the clock and keep the Nebraska offense off the field. Yes, Iowa had no trouble scoring on Illinois last week, but Scott Frost has the Huskers playing much better defense right now.

Final Score: Iowa 24, Nebraska 21

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