CFB Week 14: Iowa @ Nebraska

Iowa at Nebraska: Season Finale Preview and What It Means for Bowl Season

The regular season ends in Lincoln, and both teams walk into this one with plenty on the line. Iowa and Nebraska meet on Friday, November 28, at Memorial Stadium with an 11:00 a.m. Central kickoff on CBS Sports. It is the last chance to shape momentum, improve bowl positioning, and settle a rivalry that always feels like it has a little extra weight.

Iowa arrives at 7–4 overall and 5–3 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes have leaned all year on their identity: defense, physicality, field position, and a steady approach that keeps games close. Last week’s 20–17 win over Michigan State was a reminder of how Iowa finds ways to survive tight games. The offense has been inconsistent, but the defense and special teams continue to give this team a chance every week.

Nebraska sits at 7–4 as well, with a 4–4 mark in conference play. The Huskers saw their momentum hit a wall after a tough loss at Penn State. The defense struggled to hold up in that matchup, and Nebraska walked away from that game knowing this week is about course correction. Matt Rhule’s group has shown improvement this season, but they have also had weeks where the execution wavered. Ending the year at home gives Nebraska the opportunity to reset and close on a high note.

The Heroes Trophy matchup rarely comes quietly, and the past decade has tilted toward the Hawkeyes. Nebraska leads the overall series historically, but Iowa has controlled the modern era. This game always feels personal. It is the final word before bowl season, a recruiting showcase, and a test of late-season toughness.

CBS included this matchup as one of its featured Big Ten finales for a reason. These two programs bring energy, identity, and honest dislike into the same space. Even in years when one team is ranked and the other is struggling, the games tend to get weird and emotional. With both teams 7–4, the stakes are higher than usual.

Expect a physical game with a slower tempo. Iowa leans on defense, the run game, and field position. Nebraska wants to start fast, create explosive plays, and force the Hawkeyes into uncomfortable situations. The formula is familiar. Iowa tries to lean on patience. Nebraska tries to shake it.

Turnovers feel like the deciding variable. Iowa thrives when opponents get careless. Nebraska has shown flashes of strong quarterback play this season, but mistakes have also shown up at the wrong times. On the other side, Iowa’s offense needs stability. Long drives, manageable downs, and reliable special teams are the blueprint.

Most sportsbooks opened Iowa as a small favorite, sitting around 4.5 points, with a total near 39.5. Oddsmakers expect a low-scoring, close game. Recent history supports that idea. When these teams meet, you usually get a tense fourth quarter settled by one or two key plays.

A win would push Iowa to eight victories and deliver one of the steadier finishes in the Big Ten West. It would also help position the Hawkeyes for a better bowl slot in a crowded mid-tier group that includes teams from the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12.

For Nebraska, the motivation is simple. Beat a rival. Finish strong. Show recruits and fans that progress is real. A victory gives the Huskers an attractive bowl landing and something real to build on.

No matter where these teams end up in December, this game shapes the narrative for both programs.

Later this week, I will have a full bowl projection breakdown. Look for that on Wednesday or Thursday as the picture becomes clearer.

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