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Iowa football: Rivalry with Nebraska is good for football

By Ryan Sikes

LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs from defensive lineman Carlos Davis #96 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and defensive back Joshua Kalu #46 at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE - NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette #6 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs from defensive lineman Carlos Davis #96 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and defensive back Joshua Kalu #46 at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /
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The Iowa football vs Nebraska series has picked up steam with both teams expecting to be competitive in 2019. Here’s why the rivalry is good for CFB.

When Nebraska left the Big 12 conference and joined the Big Ten in 2011, the Iowa football team didn’t really have a true rival outside of their annual Cy-Hawk series against Iowa State. Yes, they have trophy games against Minnesota, Wisconsin and the aforementioned Cyclones; however, there seems to be a true rivalry brewing between Iowa and Nebraska.

The two schools are separated by just 300 miles and both coaching staffs are always fighting for recruits in between, sometimes even plucking recruits from within their own city. The Hawkeyes were able to land tight end Noah Fant who played in the Cornhuskers’ back yard. Fighting for recruits and then being able to utilize them in the rivalry games is what makes a true rivalry.

Look at Alabama and Auburn for example. Both teams are consistently trying to out-recruit the other and that’s what makes the games so much fun to watch.

When Nebraska first came over to the Big Ten, they flat out dominated the Hawkeyes in their first meeting since 2000 in a 20-7 victory. The following year was a slightly closer contest but Nebraska prevailed in that one too giving them five straight wins dating back to 1982.

However, Iowa has won the last 5-of-6 including a 56-14 drubbing in 2017. The Hawkeyes have had consistency in Kirk Ferentz as he’ll be entering his 21st season as head coach. Nebraska has recently gone through some coaching changes but appears to be on the right track with Scott Frost. They went 4-8 last season but are picked by many media sources to win the Big Ten West this season.

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Iowa should be right there as well and the Big Ten West decision could ultimately end up coming down to the regular-season finale in Lincoln on Friday, November 29. The series has lacked the intensity of a true rivalry but it has all the makings to be a good one this year. Fans on both sides don’t like each other and the talent each team possesses this year should make for one heck of a game.

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