Iowa vs. Nebraska, Preview, Odds, Picks and Prediction for Friday, November 28, 2025
It’s a matchup on the gridiron between Big Ten foes as they tangle in the Cornhusker State, looking to earn a win. The Iowa Hawkeyes are on the road as they travel to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers on Friday afternoon. Iowa comes in off a 20-17 home win over Michigan State on Saturday in their previous contest, failing to cover the line as a 17.5-point favorite. Nebraska was drubbed 37-10 on the road by Penn State Saturday night, failing to cover the line as a 7.5-point underdog in their previous contest. In the all-time series between the programs, the Cornhuskers own a 30-22-3 edge, though the Hawkeyes have won the last two meetings, including a 13-10 home win in the most recent matchup on November 29, 2024. Read more about this Iowa vs. Nebraska prediction! Don’t get penalized! Increase your bankroll with our NCAAF Betting Picks!
Sign Up for Winners and Whiners News Alerts, Get Free Picks and Discounts
Subscribe Now
Hawkeyes Seeking Third Straight Win Over Cornhuskers
Iowa snapped a two-game slide as it took down Michigan State at home in their previous contest on Saturday. The Hawkeyes improved to 7-4 overall and stand 4-4 in the Big Ten on the season entering this contest. Against Michigan State, Iowa rallied in the fourth quarter to avoid a third straight loss. The Hawkeyes led 7-0 after the opening quarter and 7-3 at the half before falling behind 17-7 after three quarters. Iowa tallied three times in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points in the final 1:29 to earn the win. The Hawkeyes were outgained 335-301 in total offense, gave up 19 first downs while picking up 16, lost time of possession by a 30:20 to 29:40 margin and lost the turnover battle with two giveaways against one takeaway, yet managed to come away with the victory.
The Hawkeyes come into this contest 131st in the nation in passing offense (134.8 yards per game) and 50th in rushing offense (174.5 yards per game) this season. Iowa is an average offensive team as they are 69th of the 136 teams in the FBS to take the field this season in scoring offense with 27.9 points a game but they are stellar defensively, ranking 9th in scoring defense by allowing only 15.1 points a contest. Mark Gronowski is 141 of 224 passing for 1,363 yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions while ranking second in rushing yards with 427 plus a team-high 13 scores. Hank Brown (11 of 21, 107 yards, TD, INT, rush TD) and Jeremy Hecklinski (two of two, eight yards) are next up on the depth chart. Jaziun Patterson is third on the team with 55 carries for 287 yards on the season. Xavier Williams (44 carries, 260 yards, three TD), Nathan McNeil (29 carries, 134 yards), Kamari Moulton (138 carries, 690 yards, two TD) and Terrell Washington Jr. (26 carries, 88 yards) are in the mix as well. Jacob Gill leads the team in the passing game with 22 catches for 260 yards plus a score on the season. Kaden Wetjen (20 receptions, 151 yards, TD), Sam Phillips (14 catches, 249 yards), Moulton (12 catches, 80 yards), Reece Vander Zee (nine grabs, 133 yards, TD), DJ Vonnahme (19 catches, 197 yards, TD) and Dayton Howard (six grabs, 76 yards) are the only other players with at least 70 receiving yards on the season. Drew Stevens is 32 of 33 on extra point attempts and 19 of 25 on field goal attempts with a long of 58 on the year.
Key Injury Report for Iowa:
- No Key Injuries
Nebraska Looking to Close Regular Season on Positive Note
Nebraska has alternated wins and losses in their last six games as they were hammered on the road by Penn State in their previous contest. The Cornhuskers dropped to 7-4 overall and stand 4-4 in the Big Ten on the year. Against Penn State, Nebraska trailed 7-0 after the opening quarter and trailed 23-3 at the half. The Cornhuskers never got closer than that margin the rest of the way. Nebraska was outgained 412-318 in total offense, gave up 20 first downs while picking up 17 and lost time of possession by a 30:22 to 29:38 margin in the contest. Neither team turned the ball over in the contest.
On the season, the Cornhuskers are tied for 54th in the nation in passing offense with 242.6 yards per game, while they are 87th in the nation with 136.8 yards per contest when it comes to rushing offense. Nebraska is 47th in the FBS in scoring offense with 30.5 points per game, while they are 38th in scoring defense by holding opposing teams to 21.5 points per contest. Dylan Raiola is 181 of 250 passing for 2,000 yards with 18 touchdowns and six interceptions. TJ Lateef (50 of 71, 653 yards, four TD, 96 rush yards, three TD) and Jalyn Gramstad (five of five, 16 yards) have seen limited action. Emmett Johnson leads the team on the ground with 222 carries for 1,234 yards and 11 scores. Kwinten Ives (16 carries, 119 yards, two TD) and Isaiah Mozee (17 carries, 74 yards) provide solid depth at the position. In the aerial game, Nyziah Hunter is tied for second on the team with 42 receptions for 611 yards and five scores. Jacory Barney Jr. (42 grabs, 458 yards, four TD), Johnson (44 grabs, 348 yards, three TD), Dane Key (32 catches, 408 yards, five TD) and tight end Luke Lindemoyer (26 receptions, 286 yards, two TD) provide plenty of depth in terms of targets. Kyle Cunanan has hit all 42 extra point attempts and 13 of 16 field goal attempts with a long of 52 on the year.
Key Injury Report for Nebraska:
- Quarterback Dylan Raiola (leg) is out for the year.
| # | Handicapper | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Earle Sports Bets | +2,298.00 |
| 2 |  Ross Benjamin | +1,840.00 |
| 3 |  Rob Vincilleti | +1,757.00 |
| 4 |  David Hess | +1,745.00 |
| 5 |  Dan Kaiser | +987.00 |
Iowa vs. Nebraska Pick
Spread Pick for Iowa vs. Nebraska
- Iowa -5.5 (4 units)
Iowa is a stingy defensive team and facing a backup quarterback in Lateef works in their favor as well. The Hawkeyes have limited opposing teams to 101.6 yards per game and 3.2 yards per carry this season, which should make things difficult for Johnson in the run game. On the flip side, Nebraska doesn’t generate much in the way of a pass rush, logging 1.73 sacks per game, which is 95th in the FBS. Iowa is going to rely on their defensive performance as they are tough on that side of the ball. Gronowski is a veteran presence under center and is capable of being an effective game manager. As it stands, the Hawkeyes clamp down on the Nebraska offense, and that helps lead Iowa to a victory.
Over/Under Pick for Iowa vs. Nebraska
- Under 40 (5 units)
Iowa has seen the under post a 6-4-1 mark in their nine games on the year. The Hawkeyes have held four opponents to seven points or less and three others to 18 points or less. Iowa hasn’t given up more than 28 points in a game this season. Nebraska has gone over the mark in eight of their 11 games on the season. The Cornhuskers did plenty of damage with Raiola under center but things are a little more difficult with Lateef as the signal caller. Nebraska is in the top 40 in scoring defense, while Iowa is top 15 in that department. The last two meetings have each had a total of 23 points. We might see a few more here but this game winds up short of the mark.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
Bet $5 & Get $150
