Nebraska faces Iowa at Kinnick Stadium Friday in the regular season finale. The Hawkeyes have struggled to a 4-7 mark this season while Nebraska is 9-2 on the year. The game is set for an 11:05 a.m. (CST) kickoff and will be televised nationally by ABC.
Kirk Ferentz is in his 14th year as the coach of Iowa with a career record of 100-73. His team has struggled the last five weeks and will be staying home for the postseason. The Hawkeyes had a good win at Michigan State but lost tough games to Purdue and Indiana.
The Hawkeyes are led by quarterback James Vandenberg (6-foot-3, 212 Pounds, Senior). Vandenberg is a pure drop back passer that rarely runs outside of the pocket. He can be an accurate passer, completing 58.1 percent of his passes (212 of 365) with seven touchdowns and six interceptions in 2012. Vandenberg has taken every snap for Iowa this season. He averages 196 yards passing per game. Nebraska should be able to put pressure on Vandenberg with the pass rush against an offensive line that has sustained a number of injuries.
The offensive line has not played to the level that Iowa usually does up font this season. This is a small offensive line, averaging just over 6-4 and 286 pounds from tackle to tackle. The depth is not there on this unit and Nebraska appears to have a good edge in the trenches. James Ferentz (6-2, 284, Sr.) the son of the head coach is the leader from his center spot.
In the ground game. Iowa has a punishing runner in tailback Mark Weisman (6-0, 225, So.). The transfer from the Air Force Academy has been a great surprise for Iowa in 2012. He has gained 724 yards this season including a team high eight touchdowns. He is not an elusive runner, but he never shies away from contact. Weisman will need to be kept in check by the Cornhusker defense. Injuries have eliminated any depth in the Iowa running game this season.
The passing game has three main weapons. Kevonte Martin-Manley (6-0 205 So.) leads the team with 49 receptions for 552 yards and two touchdowns. Keenan Davis (6-3 215 Sr.) has 46 grabs for 550 yards,while tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (6-7, 265, Jr.) adds great size with his 39 catches on the year. These receivers all need to play well for Iowa to have an opportunity to upset Nebraska.
Defensively Iowa is strongest at the linebacker spots and in the secondary. As a team the Hawkeyes give up 158 yards rushing, 233 yards passing per contest. and nearly 24 points per game. Weakside linebacker Anthony Hitchens (6-1, 224, Jr.) leads the team with 114 total tackles. Middle linebacker James Morris (6-2, 230, Jr.) follows with 100 tackles this season. Up front defensive end Joe Gaglione (6-4, 264, Sr.) has five sacks and nine tackles for loss this season. This defense will be sorely tested by a Nebraska offense that is very dangerous at all the skill positions.
On special teams, Kicker Mike Meyer (6-2, 185, Jr.) has been solid, converting 17 of 20 (85 percent) of his field goals with a long of 50 yards. Punter Connor Kornbrath (6-6 215 Fr.) averages just over 37 yards per punt. Jordan Cotton (6-1, 185, Jr.) has big play ability as a kick returner and Micah Hyde (6-1, 190, Sr.) a starter at defensive back handles punt returns. Iowa may have a slight edge on special teams in this contest.
Overall Nebraska appears to be the better football team. Iowa is very good in turnover margin, so the Huskers really need to take care of the football away from home. The Hawkeyes are a beat up football team both physically and mentally. They may start quickly on Friday but I believe Nebraska will wear them down in the second half. Look for the Big Red to keep the Heroes Trophy with a 31-13 win over the Hawkeyes on Friday. Thanks for reading Going Deep With Doze.
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