Nebraska at Iowa - 2026 Matchup Preview
Nebraska logo

Nebraska Cornhuskers at Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa logo
Friday, November 27th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Kinnick Stadium - Iowa City, IA  (Big Ten)

 
Cornhuskers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Matt Rhule (19 - 19)
Avg Score : 29 - 25 (20 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.7 - 6.3 (#68)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 4)
IOWA is playing their 6th straight game
NEB is playing their 5th straight game
Our Line: Iowa -13  (SP+ IOWA -14)

Projected Score: NEB: 17 - IOWA: 30 (47)
IOWA Win prob: 80% | Cover: 46%
NEB Travel: 274 miles
Hawkeyes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kirk Ferentz (213 - 128)
Avg Score : 29 - 16 (28 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#22)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 2) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
 
Nebraska's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Nebraska vs Ohio-15.5
Sat 9/12Nebraska vs Bowling Green-21.5
Sat 9/19Nebraska vs North Dakota-29.5
Sat 9/26Nebraska at Michigan State-4
Sat 10/3Nebraska vs Maryland-6.5
Sat 10/10Nebraska vs Indiana+21
Sat 10/17Nebraska at Oregon+22.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Nebraska vs Washington+13
Sat 11/7Nebraska at Illinois+9.5
Sat 11/14Nebraska at Rutgers-2
Sat 11/21Nebraska vs Ohio State+21
Fri 11/27Nebraska at Iowa+13

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Nebraska's Schedule
Iowa's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Iowa vs Northern Illinois-35
Sat 9/12Iowa vs Iowa State-12
Sat 9/19Iowa vs Northern Iowa-40
Sat 9/26Iowa at Michigan+5
Sat 10/3Iowa vs Ohio State+10.5
Sat 10/10Iowa at Washington+7.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/24Iowa at Minnesota-8
Sat 10/31Iowa vs Wisconsin-19
Sat 11/7Iowa at Northwestern-11
Sat 11/14Iowa vs Purdue-22
Sat 11/21Iowa at Illinois-1
Fri 11/27Iowa vs Nebraska-13

Total: Elite: 3, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 3, Good: 2, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Iowa's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NEB#77 (.16)46% (27)28.748% (22)3.16 (29)14845% (36)2253.93 (50)#101 (.21)43% (88)24.647% (117)39% (38)4.37 (128)43.50.81
IOWA#73 (.17)44% (45)29.348% (16)3.29 (15)17739% (97)1434.44 (20)#26 (.08)39% (29)16.141% (54)37% (25)3.34 (38)30.211.1
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
NEB0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
IOWA0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Offense1328.719.546.2%3.930.8203721482254.349%49%48%45%13%.16
IOWA Defense1316.113.738.5%3.341.1 - - - - - 48%50%41%37%17%.08
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NEB Defense1324.628.343.2%4.371 - - - - - 55%43%47%39%14%.21
IOWA Offense1329.328.344.5%4.441173201771434.660%38%48%39%11%.17

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Nebraska1330:3520.346%36%4.643.50.8151.7231.8
Iowa1331:2717.543%67%330.211.14.81.9533.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NEB Offense1349% (68)48% (22)34.2147.84.320 (60).13 (63)3.16 (29)76% (44)9% (53)0.81 (125)
IOWA Defense1348% (45)41% (54) - - - - .08 (53)2.92 (75)69% (50)10% (52)0.89 (33)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
NEB Defense1355% (122)47% (117) - - - - .25 (132)3.25 (121)79% (119)10% (62)1.12 (128)
IOWA Offense1360% (12)48% (16)38.8176.94.628 (23).19 (34)3.29 (15)81% (10)8% (32)0.9 (98)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Offense1349% (72)45% (36)2029.1224.67.711.223 (14)7 (60).22 (83)1.4 (128)25% (5)32% (52).39 (35)4% (11)1.9 (94)
IOWA Defense1350% (91)37% (25) - - - - - - 11 (38).16 (30)1.4 (8)29% (105)24% (10).22 (41)7% (32)2 (52)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NEB Defense1343% (10)39% (38) - - - - - - 6 (100).19 (44)1.5 (25)31% (87)35% (128).44 (127)5% (122)2 (47)
IOWA Offense1338% (126)39% (97)13.822143.26.510.312 (128)8 (60).24 (71)1.5 (68)27% (15)26% (112).2 (110)3% (4)1.9 (92)

Nebraska's Power Ratings
Nebraska's Power Rating: 6.29  #52
Nebraska's Offense Rating: 17.35  #32
Nebraska's Defense Rating: 16.06  #70
2026 Talent Rating: 938.00  #26
Blue Chip Ratio: 24%  #23
Nebraska's 2026 Expected Record: 5.7 - 6.3
Nebraska's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.2  #46
Nebraska's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.8  #56
Nebraska's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.7  #44

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81

Power Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 6.29   Iowa: 19.185

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Nebraska: 6.2   Iowa: 19.7




Iowa's Power Ratings
Iowa's Power Rating: 19.185  #26
Iowa's Offense Rating: 15.37  #49
Iowa's Defense Rating: 6.70  #19
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00  #41
Blue Chip Ratio: 17  #26
Iowa's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
Iowa's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 19.7  #12
Iowa's Offense SP+ Rating: 32.1  #37
Iowa's Defense SP+ Rating: 14.2  #6

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 916.78
Average Power Five Talent: 910.63
Average FBS Talent: 728.81


Nebraska Scoring
Offense: 28.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 19.5
Defense: 24.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.3

Nebraska's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Iowa 30
Nebraska 17


Projected Total Points: 47
Iowa Scoring
Offense: 29.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 28.3
Defense: 16.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 13.7

Iowa's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/28Nebraska16Iowa40Iowa -5.5Iowa38.5Over
202411/29Iowa13Nebraska10Iowa -3.5Nebraska41.5Under
202311/24Nebraska10Iowa13Nebraska -3Iowa25.5Under
202211/25Iowa17Nebraska24Iowa -10.5Nebraska38.0Over
202111/26Nebraska21Iowa28Nebraska -1.5Iowa41.0Over
202011/27Iowa26Nebraska20Iowa -12.5Nebraska53.5Under
201911/29Nebraska24Iowa27Iowa -4Nebraska46.0Over
201811/23Iowa31Nebraska28Iowa -7.5Nebraska52.0Over
201711/24Nebraska14Iowa56Iowa -5Iowa50.5Over
201611/25Iowa40Nebraska10Iowa -2.5Iowa45.5Over
201511/27Nebraska20Iowa28Iowa -2.5Iowa57.5Under
201411/28Iowa34Nebraska37Iowa -1Nebraska53.0Over
201311/29Nebraska17Iowa38Nebraska -3Iowa0
201211/23Iowa7Nebraska13
201111/25Nebraska20Iowa7
200009/22Nebraska42Iowa13
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Iowa1178 Overs
Nebraska564 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams6 - 102 - 111 - 81 - 3
Road Teams10 - 611 - 23 - 18 - 1

(#52) NEB at (#26) IOWA
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNEBIOWA
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #52 #26
SP+SP+ #46 #12
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #26 #41
Blue ChipsBC% #23 #26
Nebraska Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Low, bad finish, QB leaves, ? Rhule era
(3/1) New DC Aurich was great at SDSU, good add
(2/1) QB1: Colandrea (UNLV) likely. Lateef also returns
(2/1) RB rebuild, limted exp. Have options but dudes?
(2/1) WR 3 guys w 480+yds/4+ TDs LY, good unit + TE
(2/1) OL: 4 back w exp + 3 portals. Could be strength
(2/1) Def added 9 portals, 3 at every level. Needed it
(2/1) DL 2 big portal adds. 7 have exp. Must improve
(2/1) LBs 2/3 starters from portal? Chambliss big add
(2/1) DBs have 3 good CBs, but Safety a huge ?
Nebraska Injury Report
Iowa Notes
(2/14) Vibes: Good, but desperate for decent Offense
(2/1) 64th (of 68) in P4 Returning Production. Rebuild?
(2/1) QB1? H. Brown vs J. Hecklinski (both '25 Portals)
(2/1) RB Moulton (RB1 LY) + Phillips (SD Portal, 1.8K)
(2/1) WR can James (Fur Portal) help? Big bodied depth
(2/1) OL 2 starters back but good depth w some exp
(2/1) DL 4 G5/FCS portal adds. V Green but has parts
(2/1) LB 1 back, good talented depth but unproven
(2/1) CBs are great, took 4 portals at S (3 starters)
Iowa Injury Report
Nebraska on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffIOWA Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #27 #29
ExplosiveExp #134 #8
PPAPPA #77 #26
PowerPwr #32 #19
SP+SP+ #56 #6
Pts POPPO #50 #38
HavocHav #23 #42
Nebraska Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffIOWA Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #22 #54
Run ExplRExp #125 #33
PPAExp #63 #53
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #29 #75
Stuff RateStuff #19 #71
TackleTak - NR
Nebraska Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
NEB OffIOWA Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #36 #25
Pass ExplPExl #128 #8
PPAExp #83 #30
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #53 #52
DB HavocDB #11 #32
Iowa on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCatIOWA OffNEB Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #45 #88
ExplosiveExp #132 #80
PPAPPA #73 #101
PowerPwr #49 #70
SP+SP+ #37 #44
Pts POPPO #20 #128
HavocHav #6 #100
Iowa Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCat
IOWA OffNEB Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #16 #117
Run ExplRExp #98 #128
PPAExp #34 #132
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #15 #121
Stuff RateStuff #15 #117
TackleTak - NR
Iowa Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 60%, Pass: 38%
CategoryCatIOWA OffNEB Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #97 #38
Pass ExplPExl #68 #25
PPAExp #71 #44
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #32 #62
DB HavocDB #4 #122
Program Comparison
IOWA 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

NEB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Kinnick Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Iowa beat Nebraska last year (40-16)
Iowa beat Nebraska in 2024 (13-10)
Iowa beat Nebraska in 2023 (13-10)

  
NEB's OC Dana Holgorsen (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Anthony Colandrea (Tr)27541766%34592398.3
TJ Lateef7412360%904517.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Anthony Colandrea (Tr)127650105.137
Mekhi Nelson2714725.438
Kwinten Ives2013326.728
TJ Lateef4012043.016
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nyziah Hunter43617514.364
Kwazi Gilmer (Tr)50535410.743
Jacory Barney Jr.45484510.852
Luke Lindenmeyer29312210.826

View Nebraska's Full Roster

NEB's DC Rob Aurich (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)909445
Rex Guthrie632001
Vincent Shavers Jr.618110
Donovan Jones592005
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)909445
Williams Nwaneri275351
Cameron Lenhardt233231
Kade Pietrzak166231
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Owen Chambliss (Tr)909445
Donovan Jones592005
Victor Evans III (Tr)411004

IOWA's OC Tim Lester (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Hank Brown112152%107115.1
Jeremy Hecklinski22100%8004.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
L.J. Phillips Jr. (Tr)2811860196.667
Kamari Moulton17087855.234
Xavier Williams4928535.843
Nathan Mcneil3716904.624
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Tony Diaz (Tr)678811113.175
Evan James (Tr)65796712.261
DJ Vonnahme29434315.051
Reece Vander Zee15219214.629

View Iowa's Full Roster

IOWA's DC Phil Parker (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Jayden Montgomery441022
Deshaun Lee341006
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Lance Ingold (Tr)172220
Zach Lutmer716107
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105
Kahmari Brown (Tr)31000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zach Lutmer716107
Deshaun Lee341006
Tyler Brown (Tr)715105