Iowa football: Three keys to beating the Nebraska Cornhuskers

CHAMPAIGN, IL – NOVEMBER 17: Nick Easley #84 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs the ball as Dele Harding #9 of the Illinois Fighting Illini is there for the stop at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

The Iowa football team closes out the regular season Friday against the 4-7 Nebraska Cornhuskers. Here are the three keys to victory.

The Iowa football team got back to its winning way last weekend in its blowout victory over the struggling Illinois Fighting Illini football program, and this week they look to continue the trend against forced rival Nebraska in the annual Heroes Game.

Nebraska enters this game with no postseason hopes after starting the season with six consecutive losses to begin the Scott Frost era, but have picked up as of recent having won four of their last five games. The lone loss being to Ohio State by just a few points. The Cornhuskers may be 4-7 but this is not a team to take lightly.

In fact, it’s quite the opposite. This is a team that Iowa football fans should be worried about. In recent years, it’s been the Hawkeyes that have been able to spoil the season ender for a strong Nebraska team, but this year the tides have turned and Nebraska is looking to play spoiler to a team with such high hopes to begin the season. Moreover, it’s an opportunity for Nebraska to end their season with a win and have something to build off next year when they start fresh and have a full year under the new regime.

Furthermore, this team has talent across the board offensively that should be keeping Phil Parker on full alert Friday when the Hawks square off against Nebraska.

So while the Iowa football team has the more talented roster and should win, it’s pertinent that they win these three key matchups in order to come away victorious.