Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Iowa Hawkeyes Complete Game Preview

This is it, folks. The final regular-season game for the Huskers is here, and things look much different now than they did only a couple of short weeks ago.

The Huskers went from 8-1 to 8-3 quickly after losing back-to-back games to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Not exactly the November that Nebraska fans were wishing for.

Regardless, there is still one game left, and Nebraska needs to win. The best possible bowl game is on the line. Plus, a win would ease the unrest that is currently inhabiting Lincoln, Nebraska.

Nebraska lost to Iowa at home in 2013. It was that loss that prompted head coach Bo Pelini to dare athletic director Shawn Eichorst to fire him. Pelini obviously kept his job, but one year later, he is still firmly on the hot seat.

Can Pelini and Nebraska pull off the win in Iowa City?

Where: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa

When: Friday, November 28, at noon ET

Watch: ABC

Listen: Husker Sports Network or Sirius Channel 91, XM 91

Betting Line via Odds Shark: Nebraska (+1)

Nebraska's Keys to Victory

Eric Francis/Getty Images

1. Run the Ball

This has been a key to winning nearly every week this season. That's because when the Huskers are running, the Huskers are winning. Yet, more often than not, Nebraska resorts to unnecessary pass plays or the offensive line prevents the ball from being successfully run.

Against Iowa, it's not an option. Nebraska must run the ball.

If you're a superstitious person, looking at I-back Ameer Abdullah's numbers this season has to be interesting. Long story short: If Abdullah runs for more than 100 yards, the Huskers are in good shape. When he is limited, things haven't been good for Nebraska.

Just looking at his statistics on ESPN.com is proof enough. Against Michigan State (45 yards), Wisconsin (69 yards) and Minnesota (98 yards), Abdullah didn't reach that key 100 number. The Huskers may have won against McNeese State, but it wasn't without a challenge. And of course, Abdullah was limited to 54 yards in that game.

The Purdue game is an outlier, which can be removed due to an injury. However, if there is one thing that should be abundantly clear, it's that Nebraska needs to run the ball.

2. Limit Turnovers

Nebraska fumbled three times against Minnesota. Of those three, the Huskers lost two of them. For a team that has struggled with turnovers over the years, that definitely didn't help the confidence factor.

Against Iowa, Nebraska must limit turnovers. A little mistake here and there could ultimately be the reason the Huskers do not win. That can't happen.

The Nebraska offensive line is going to need to be ready, too. The Hawkeyes have forced 23 sacks and 13 turnovers in 2014. It's going to be crucial that the offensive line gives quarterback Tommy Armstrong the time and room he needs to make plays happen. Failing to do so could result in turnovers, which could lead to a loss.

3. Move Forward

It would be easy for the Huskers to pack up and call it a day. After falling apart against Wisconsin and Minnesota, losing an opportunity at the Big Ten title and missing out on a small shot at the playoffs, Nebraska doesn't have much to play for.

That is exactly why Nebraska needs to move forward. Giving up isn't an option. There is plenty left to play for, like the best possible bowl game. The players know this, as offensive lineman Jake Cotton said, per FoxNews.com:

"

Time to go to work and put our head down. We're going to play a good Iowa team in a hostile environment, and it's probably going to be real cold in Iowa City. I know we're excited for the challenge. A lot of times people think losses carry over and that losses linger, but not here.

"

How the Huskers respond after the past two weeks will say a lot about this team. In order to win, though, the team needs to play like the losses never happened. Easier said than done, but the mental part of the game may make the biggest difference against Iowa.

Iowa's Keys to Victory

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1. Stop Ameer Abdullah

At this point, this should be the game plan for any team that plays Nebraska. After all, if you limit Abdullah, you limit the Huskers offense.

Michigan State and Wisconsin were prime examples of two teams that kept Abdullah from running too much. Minnesota did too, but some of that could be blamed on Nebraska's play-calling.

Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck isn't afraid to run the ball. As the Charlotte Observer pointed out, Beck "called 15 straight running plays that averaged 6.7 yards over one stretch of the second half." However, on 2nd-and-1, the coach called for a pass play that ultimately resulted in quarterback Tommy Armstrong getting sacked.

So the Huskers are also capable of limiting Abdullah, but Iowa needs to be prepared in case the game plan is to let him run and run a lot. If that happens, there's no telling what Abdullah will be able to accomplish in his final regular-season game.

2. Be Physical

One thing Nebraska has struggled to hold up against is very physical football. If a team continues to punch the Huskers in the nose, they eventually get worn down. Iowa is a team that can do just that.

Against Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes fought hard to stop Badger running back Melvin Gordon. While Wisconsin still got the win, head coach Kirk Ferentz was pleased with what he saw.

“I thought our guys competed extremely hard, they were blocking hard and we were playing blocks hard and trying to get to the football,’’ he said, per HawkMania.com.

That's exactly what Iowa needs to do against Nebraska and Abdullah. Play tough, physical football and wear the Huskers down.

3. Home-Field Advantage

There's something to be said about having the home-field advantage. There's an even bigger advantage when your team beat the opposing team on the road the year before. If you accomplish that, beating that team on your own turf has to be easier.

Iowa didn't just sneak past Nebraska in 2013, either. Instead, the Hawkeyes defeated the Huskers 38-17.

After that game, head coach Bo Pelini's job was called into question, as ESPN.com noted, and life became very tense at One Memorial Drive. One year later, things are starting to get tense for Pelini again, except this time, he has to travel to Iowa City.

Take advantage of the home field, Hawkeyes. Show up and be loud. That alone could be enough to rattle the Huskers.

Nebraska Players to Watch

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Ameer Abdullah (RB, Senior)

Ameer Abdullah deserves to be a player to watch this week. After a season of highs and lows, the senior I-back has handled it with grace.

More often than not, Abdullah looked like if he could have won every game for Nebraska, he would have. He was willing to do everything he could to guarantee the Huskers won. If one player could have had that much control, Nebraska would be undefeated.

Abdullah can't win on his own, but if he could, he would. Pelini even noted that during his weekly press conference.

“I think he is a warrior. I really do," Pelini said, per Huskers.com. "He came back quickly off of an injury. He’s been less than 100 percent in the last couple weeks and hasn’t blinked an eye. I think it shows the character he has."

So watch Abdullah closely against Iowa. If anyone can ensure Nebraska wins, it's him.

Tommy Armstrong (QB, Sophomore)

Head coach Bo Pelini and offensive coordinator Tim Beck wanted Tommy Armstrong to relax. Against Minnesota, that's what he tried to do.

“I put a lot of pressure on myself,” Armstrong said, per The Daily Nebraskan. “It was hard on me when it comes to sports and stuff like that. I think that talking to Coach Beck and Coach Bo and my mom, they said to go out there and have fun, be carefree and not worry about what’s going on. Just going out there and having fun, and I think that’s what I did.”

Against Minnesota, whatever Armstrong did seemed to work. He was 12-of-19 for 223 yards and one touchdown. He also added 45 yards on the ground.

“I thought Tommy played better,” Beck said, per The Daily Nebraskan. “I thought Tommy played smarter, more consistent. It looked like he made some good decisions at times, better than he had the last couple games, and that’s a positive to take away from.”

How Armstrong performs against Iowa will say a lot about how he's evolving as a quarterback. While he lost to Minnesota, it wasn't based on his performance. It'll be interesting to see how he steps up in the Huskers' final regular-season game.

Iowa Players to Watch

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

Jake Rudock (QB, Junior)

Jake Rudock is in a position similar to Tommy Armstrong's. When he struggles, the call for his backup are strong. Yet, as the Des Moines Register opined, he is resilient.

Against Wisconsin, he had 184 yards and two touchdowns on his nine completed passes. He also ran for a touchdown, per the Des Moines Register.

Needless to say, Rudock will be interesting to watch. Just like Armstrong, he's trying to bounce back. Will he? The fact that he's so resilient is exactly why it's worth keeping an eye on Rudock.

Louis Trinca-Pasat (DL, Senior)

The Daily Iowan called him a "monster." In the nicest way possible, that's exactly what Louis Trinca-Pasat is.

Alongside Carl Davis, the two will wreak havoc on Nebraska's offensive line. How will they do it? By playing physical football and getting the job done.

“Just take on blocks, make sure our linebackers are free and make plays,” Trinca-Pasat said when describing his job at Iowa’s media day in August, per the Daily Iowan. “Get off our blocks and make plays, as well.”

While he left the game against Wisconsin with an injury, he later returned. He also looks to be in good shape for Nebraska. 

The Huskers offensive line is definitely going to have its hands full with Trinca-Pasat and Davis. Could make for an interesting matchup in Iowa City.

What They're Saying

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Head Coach Bo Pelini

On whether or not the team has improved over the season:

"

I thought we were up until a couple weeks ago. I think the last two weeks we didn’t play very well. I said this earlier in the year, some of the things were happening and weren’t hurting us. And that’s reality. In the last two weeks it’s hurt us. Two weeks ago we didn’t play well and this past week it cost us a game. At some point you just keep pushing along, keep working hard, keep working to improve and keep coaching them up. I don’t really want to go into some other remedies that could come about, but in some cases you would go to the next guy if you felt the guy was ready. That isn’t always the case.

"

On if he has received any direct feedback:

"

Can we talk about Iowa please? I’m sorry, I don’t mean to cut you off, but we have a short week and we have a long time after Friday to go into the what-ifs and other things. My focus right now is on Iowa. Trying to get up into Iowa City and give this football team this best chance to win.

"

On if the blame of not playing well falls back on the coaches:

"

Yeah. I point the thumb. I don’t point the finger at the players. I’m responsible for this thing. That’s how I’m wired. If we don’t play well enough, that’s on me. That’s my nature and that’s how I look at it. I’m not going to feel sorry for myself. I’m not going to make excuses. I’m not going to do anything remotely like that. I’m here to serve these players in the best way I possibly can and I’m going to keep coaching them as hard as I can. I’m going to do everything I can to make this the best football team I can possibly make it. That’s all I know how to do. Did I get that done on Saturday? No, I didn’t because obviously we lost.

"

On getting over the hump:

"

I’m looking to get over the hump. I can tell you that. I turn over every stone and I’m looking to try to get over the proverbial hump. But I know this, and I think it’s one of the great things about being here, people aren’t going to be happy until you win them all. You know what? Neither am I. That’s how I’m wired, too. To think that I’m not working my butt off to make that happen, that’s what I want to happen. I want to win them all. And I want to win a national championship here.

"

On if he would fire assistants to keep his own job:

"

I’m not going there. I’m not talking about that. Would I fire somebody to save my own job? No. Would I fire somebody who I thought deserved firing? Yes.

"

On Ameer Abdullah:

"

I think he is a warrior. I really do. He came back quickly off of an injury. He’s been less than 100 percent in the last couple weeks and hasn’t blinked an eye. I think it shows the character he has. To me, Ameer embodies everything you want a student-athlete to be. I believe that in every way. In his life, how he approaches every day, how he competes. He’s a pretty special guy.

"

I-Back Ameer Abdullah

On his injury:

"

I just give it everything I have every Saturday. I’m getting better with each day. As long as I get to be on the field and get to play, I feel like nothing else is wrong. I haven’t had the proper time to give myself rest, but we don’t have time right now. We have to keep grinding.

"

On leaving a legacy at Nebraska:

"

I just want to be remembered as a guy who gave it up for his team. A guy who tried to be as circumstance free as possible. As a running back here, I try to be circumstance free instead of circumstance based. No matter what odds are thrown at me, an adversity thrown at me, I try to rise above that. I try to do my best with what I’m given. That’s the kind of person that I want to be remembered for here. A guy who genuinely cares about the well-being of the team rather than himself.

"

On his favorite play while at Nebraska:

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I’d have to say my favorite play in college has not been my own. Freshman year against Ohio State, Rex (Burkhead) caught the spin route, made a guy miss and scored. It just showed what kind of player he was. Anytime you were accounting for Rex on the field, those were the kind of plays he was going to make. That was probably my favorite play, just witnessing that.

"

On Bo Pelini:

"

He (Bo Pelini) has meant everything. That guy has bent over backwards for me. Sometimes I was homesick. I remember my freshman year I was homesick for a while and wasn’t sure if Nebraska was the place for me. I could turn to Coach (Ron) Brown and Coach Bo (Pelini) to talk to. At the time he really sold me on the idea that Nebraska was for me, and he was going to do everything for me to help better me as a man and football player and become as comfortable with being here as possible. Like I said he has bent over backwards for me and I couldn’t be happier with the guy who’s leading this team. I love him for it.

"

Wide Receiver De'Mornay Pierson-El

On balancing this season's highs and lows:

"

Short memory. You can’t let that continue to go on. This week we have a short week. I have to get into the game plan. I can’t dwell on something in the past. It’s happened and I have to get over it. It’s a lesson learned, cover up the ball and just get down. When you have a chance to go through the middle of the field and you know you are going to get hit, just catch the ball and go down.  Don’t try and fight for yards. It taught me a lot.

"

On whether or not the Iowa game has any extra significance:

"

No not really. They usually just say that this game is one that we have got to have. It’s a rivalry and everything and they don’t really like Iowa. It’s just one that the older guys really want to get.  I’ll probably find out more towards the tradition as I spend more time here. I know it’s one of those games that they really want.

"

On the support of his teammates:

"

They know how hard it is on me. I’m upset with myself and everything, but to know that they’re not upset and for them to come to me in that moment and still have a smile on their face and hug me, it just makes everything a lot easier on me.

"

All quotes obtained via the Huskers' weekly press conference, unless otherwise noted.

Prediction

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

It's hard to say which Iowa and which Nebraska teams will show up on Nov. 28. While the Hawkeyes have had a roller-coaster season with high and lows, the Huskers had mostly highs to start the season and are now just experiencing the lows.

But when Nebraska walks into Kinnick Stadium for the final regular-season game, everything that happened before doesn't matter.

“We just have to believe," I-back Ameer Abdullah said, per Huskers.com. "We have to believe in our game plans. We have to believe in ourselves. We have done it before. It is really simple."

And it will be really simple if Nebraska does that, which includes running the option. After all, that's exactly what Rob Howe of HawkeyeInsider.com said would be Iowa's biggest issue against Nebraska:

"

The option game has troubled Iowa all season and [Tommy] Armstrong does a nice job with it. If he can get that going with even a less than 100 percent Abdullah, it could be another long day for the Hawkeye defense. Nebraska is likely to chew up some yards on the ground. It's that good with its ground game.

"

While Nebraska is good at the ground game, as Howe noted, there is no telling if the Huskers will get that going. That's going to be important to watch, too. If Abdullah and Nebraska's run game are limited, Iowa will be in great shape. If Abdullah gets going, it'll be hard to stop him.

And then there's Armstrong. While Nebraska lost to Minnesota, it wasn't at the hands of Armstrong. Instead, he was 12-of-19 for 223 passing yards. He also added another 45 yards on the ground. If that Armstrong shows up against Iowa, he will also be hard to stop.

It's hard predicting what will come from Iowa and Nebraska. The final score could really go either way. However, it's hard to believe Abdullah will allow his final regular-season game to be a loss.

Give the Huskers the win, but it won't be pretty, and it won't be by much.

Prediction: Nebraska 27, Iowa 24

For complete team coverage and everything Huskers, you can follow Erin on Twitter @erinsorensen.