3 bold predictions for Nebraska football vs. Iowa

Iowa has won six straight games in Lincoln. That’s a losing streak Nebraska football needs to end this season.

The Huskers didn’t end the ranked losing streak. That still lingers, but ending Iowa’s reign of terror at Memorial Stadium would be a good place to start.

As frustrating as this season has been, that would still be progress. There is a lot of noise around the Nebraska football program, especially with the murky future of QB Dylan Raiola.

On Black Friday, Nebraska needs to forget all that. The Huskers are 6.5-point underdogs against Iowa, and here are three bold predictions.

Emmett Johnson runs for over 100 yards

Even though he missed out on being a Doak Walker Award finalist, Johnson could still win the Big Ten rushing title. The junior has been incredible for Nebraska football all season, even rushing for over 100 yards last week in the loss to Penn State.

Iowa only allows 3.2 yards per attempt and barely over 100 yards rushing per game. Yet, Johnson is the best back Iowa has faced this season, and he’ll have at least one or two explosive runs to get him over the century mark for the eighth time this season.

Mark Gronowski doesn’t throw for 100 yards

After proclaiming that quarterback Mark Gronowski was going to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, the Iowa QB has averaged 123 yards passing this season with seven touchdown passes to go along with six interceptions. He doesn’t have a single game with 200 yards passing.

The Iowa quarterback has been held under 100 yards passing three times this season. Friday will be the fourth, but the Hawkeyes are 2-1 when Gronowski has passed for under 100 yards, which includes a win over Penn State that featured 130 rushing yards from Gronowski.

Kenneth Williams will have a longer KR than Kaden Wetjen

The best return man in college football led the nation in punt return yards last season, while also leading the Big Ten in kickoff returns.

This season, Wetjen leads college football with an incredible 28 yards per punt return. He’s got three punt return touchdowns and a fourth on kickoff returns, giving him six career return touchdowns.

However, Mike Ekeler has helped Nebraska football turn into one of the best special teams units in the country. Archie Wilson and Nebraska will probably give up at least one decent return to Wetjen, but I’m going to say Nebraska’s Kenneth Williams has the longest kick or punt return of the day.

Nebraska vs. Iowa prediction

In four losses this season, Nebraska has allowed an average of 226 rushing yards per game and more than five sacks. Michigan, Penn State, Minnesota, and USC all pushed around Nebraska.

I have no reason to think Iowa won’t. Gronowski doesn’t throw well, but he will hurt Nebraska on the ground. The Iowa outside zone will lead to enough rushing yards that Iowa can Iowa itself to a 16-13 win with another fourth-quarter field goal.

Iowa 16, Nebraska 13.

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