Crucial Black Friday keys to victory for Nebraska football against the Iowa Hawkeyes

It's Nebraska vs. Iowa week. Can Nebraska football get the victory and win two in a row against Iowa on the road? A win would continue to build momentum for the Huskers and, potentially, earn them a shot to play in a New Year's Day bowl.

Here are my three keys to victory for Nebraska football against Iowa on Black Friday.

Nebraska football must contain Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson

Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson is the best back in the Big Ten. He's run for 1,492 yards, 6.7 ypc, and has 21--yes, TWENTY ONE--rushing touchdowns. He will be far and away the best running back Nebaska has faced all year.

But would you be shocked if I said the Blackshirts don't have to shut down Johnson? I don't even think they need to keep him under 100 yards. Why? Because Iowa's passing offense is good enough for last in the Big Ten at 133 yards per game. Iowa quarterbacks have thrown 8 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and been sacked 14 times. They've only thrown 227 passes on the season. To compare, Nebraska has thrown the ball 371 times.

To win the game, Nebraska just needs to slow Kaleb Johnson down. He will get his yards--because he'll get the lion's share of the carries. What Nebraska needs to avoid is long TD runs and being unable to get off the field on third down, which will allow Johnson to get more carries and eat up more clock.

Nebraska has been susceptible to the run lately. However, in each of those games (UCLA, USC, Wisconsin) Nebraska faced very capable quarterbacks. On Friday, if Nebraska can hold Johnson somewhat in check, Jackson Stratton (who started the year as the fourth string QB) will have to make plays. I like Nebraska's chances if that happens.

Nebraska football must be able to run the ball like it did against Wisconsin

Speaking of the running game, Nebraska may have found something against Wisconsin. More RPO, zone blocking, and cutbacks allowed Emmett Johnson to have his best game as a Husker and Dante Dowdell to find the end zone three times.

It will be a challenge for the Huskers. Iowa has a good defense. Though they are down compared to recent years, they still have an outstanding overall defensive EPA, at 15th in the country. In their wins this year, Iowa has not given up more than 130 yards rushing. However, it's interesting that in their last three losses to OSU, MSU, and UCLA, the Hawkeyes have, respectively, given up 203, 212, and 211 rushing yards.

You know by now that Nebraska isn't going to run the ball 40 times a game. In offensive coordinator Dana Holgorsen's mind, short throws, screens, slants, etc. are extensions of the run game. I've said all year that Nebraska needs to be able to run the ball when they want to: first down, third and short, and goal line specifically. But this week, I expect Holgorosen to exploit the holes in Iowa's rush defense like OSU, MSU, and UCLA did.

If that happens, it opens up everything in the passing game for Raiola--who appeared the most composed we've seen him all season. I expect that to carry over against Iowa.

Nebraska needs to want *it* more than the Hawkeyes

Both Nebraska and Iowa have already qualified for bowl games and neither are in the Big Ten title hunt. So this game is about one thing: pride. Who wants this win more? For the past several years it's been Iowa, well, except the last time Nebraska was in Iowa City (thank you, Tre Palmer).

With a 6:30 pm kickoff at Kinnick, each team won't need to bring their own juice. Nebraska can't afford to start slow. Offense, defense, and special teams must show up and force the issue. Simply, they need to want it more than Iowa. Iowa is better than Wisconsin, but they aren't better than Indiana or Ohio State. When talent levels are equitable, sheer want-to is often the determining factor.

Finishing 7-5 with victories over Colorado, Wisconsin, and Iowa and a chance for eight wins at a bowl game have to be motivating factors for this Husker team, right? I'd sure hope so.

Can Nebraska improve to 7-5 with a win on Black Friday?

This game is a toss up in my mind. Iowa's offense is one-dimensional and Nebraska has suddenly figured out how to play offense. The Husker defense is the wildcard in this game. If they stop the run and get Iowa into uncomfortable second or third and long situations, they'll win the game.

I don't know if Nebraska's defense will be able to do that all day. But something says Tony White will finally cook up something that allows them to do it enough.

Throw in that Nebraska football's offense will continue to show more wrinkles not yet on tape, putting Iowa's defense on their heels. I have a feel Nebraska's offense shows up in a big way. Get ready for a wild Black Friday night and bring on the New Year's Day bowl.

Nebraska 38 Iowa 27