Iowa vs. Nebraska will prove to be most critical game of Hawkeyes’ year
Iowa vs. Nebraska is a newer rivalry game that will prove in 2015 to be the biggest game of the Hawkeyes’ CFB Playoff bid.
The Iowa Hawkeyes and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. It’s not a matchup between two undefeated or even one-loss teams that will decide the fate of the Big Ten, but it’s a critical matchup from the standpoint that everything is on the line for both teams.
Iowa is seeking a CFB Playoff bid in just the second year of its existence. They are currently ranked 4th in the nation in the playoff poll and have everything on the line in this game because one loss simply will not be acceptable when it comes to the Hawkeyes’ resume’. They need this game.
An undefeated appearance in the Big Ten title game and just another impressive season for the Hawkeyes is separated by the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who are 5-6 and playing for bowl eligibility.
And make no mistake about it — these Huskers are better than their record indicates.
Sure, they’ve put up some dud performances this year. Sure, they haven’t been able to adequately finish games. But ask Michigan State about Mike Riley’s crew.
Nebraska has won three of its last five games including an upset of Michigan State by one point just three weeks ago. They are coming off of a bye week and are ready for the Hawkeyes, in a game that Iowa needs more than ever. The atmosphere is going to be incredible, and the Huskers would love nothing more than to not only spoil the Hawkeyes’ season, but to become bowl eligible themselves.
So how does Iowa deal with such intense pressure on the road?
They need to keep doing well today what they have been doing well all season: playing sound defense, running the football, dominating the line of scrimmage, and great game management from quarterback C.J. Beathard.
Five of Nebraska’s six losses this season have been by five points or less, and the other was a 10-point loss in a road game against Purdue, whom Iowa just beat by 20 points.
But you can throw the stats out the window for this game. These two are on an even playing field at 0-0, and the players aren’t going to be able to worry about what the overall record looks like when all is said and done. This game is about being 1-0. It’s about annual bragging rights in what has become one of the most heated rivalries in the midwest.
And Iowa has to win this game, or they can likely kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.
Kirk Ferentz will have his squad ready. This is the most impressive team the Hawkeyes have had in school history, and it’s led by a whole host of options in the running game, where Iowa can beat you with speed, power, elusiveness, and excellent receiving ability.
The Hawkeyes need to mentally approach this game as though the Huskers are also playing for a spot in the CFB playoff. Iowa fans are likely worried because they have never seen their team in this situation, but it’s a fun spot to be in.
Iowa has already clinched a spot in the Big Ten title game, but they need to first get there unscathed if they want to play for a National Championship.