Nebraska vs. Iowa State Preview
AMES, IA – Wins over a pair of Top 25 opponents have Nebraska feeling better about itself after suffering its lone defeat, a poor offensive performance that left it itching for a chance to make amends.
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The ninth-ranked Cornhuskers will certainly have their minds on redemption this week.
A school-record eight turnovers plagued Nebraska in a stunning loss to Iowa State last season, an effort it’ll be eager to avenge Saturday as it visits Ames for what’s surprisingly become a key Big 12 North matchup.
Oddsmakers from online sports book Sportsbook.com have made Nebraska –18 point spread favorites for Saturday’s game against Iowa State. Current NCAA Public Betting Information shows that 79% of more than 731 bets for this game have been placed on Nebraska -18.
The Cornhuskers (7-1, 3-1) were a force on the ground in winning their first five games, averaging 337.6 yards and 41.6 points while establishing themselves as a potential national title contender.
Nebraska was shut down in a 20-13 loss to Texas on Oct. 16, gaining 202 total yards and failing to score an offensive touchdown, but it’s gotten back to what it does best the past two weeks.
Taylor Martinez totaled 435 yards from scrimmage and threw five touchdown passes in a 51-41 win at No. 17 Oklahoma State on Oct. 23, then senior tailback Roy Helu Jr. ran for a school-record 307 yards – 142 after Martinez left in the second quarter with a sprained ankle – in a 31-17 victory over previously unbeaten Missouri last Saturday.
“I think our coaches just got us focused on the process,” receiver Niles Paul said. “You can see it in practice. We had a different edge on us. It’s like we’re playing with a chip on our shoulder.”
They should certainly be playing with something to prove this week against the Cyclones (5-4, 3-2). Iowa State took advantage of eight turnovers – including a Helu fumble on the first play from scrimmage – to shock Nebraska 9-7 in Lincoln last season.
Helu, who played with a shoulder injury, later fumbled at the Cyclones’ 1-yard line, one of four Cornhusker mistakes in the red zone.
“I don’t know if I’ve ever been around that in my coaching career,” Nebraska’s Bo Pelini said at the time. “You can’t win a football game like that.”
Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads isn’t expecting similar miscues Saturday as his team tries for its first winning streak in the series since 1976-77.
“There’s a good chance that they’ll be ready to play Saturday afternoon,” Rhoads said. “I would be, too.”
Pelini expects Martinez to play, and he’ll definitely be eager to see his star freshman out there considering backup Zac Lee threw three interceptions last season against the Cyclones.
The combination of Martinez and Helu could be too much for Iowa State to handle. The Cyclones surrender 194.3 yards per game on the ground, 99th in the nation.
They’ve been especially bad against top competition. Iowa State has allowed 581.3 yards per game – 279.6 rushing – as it’s been outscored 155-34 by its three top 10 opponents.
Despite those staggering statistics, the Cyclones can still be a factor in the North race. Iowa State bounced back from blowout losses to Utah and Oklahoma by winning 28-21 at Texas on Oct. 23, then ran for 232 yards in a 28-16 victory over Kansas last Saturday.
After facing Nebraska, the Cyclones visit Colorado and host Missouri, meaning they can win the division if they run the table.
Just don’t try telling that to Rhoads.
“We’re not in the race in the Big 12 North,” he said. “Maybe numerically speaking we are. We’re just out there trying to improve. This is our next game. We want to be better this football game.”
That won’t be easy against a Nebraska team that’s among the nation’s top 20 by allowing 17.8 points and 310.3 yards per game. The Huskers are particularly strong against the pass, where they rank third by holding the opposition to an average of 148.0 yards behind star cornerbacks Prince Amukamara and Alfonzo Dennard.
Dennard, however, might not play Saturday. The junior suffered a concussion last week after colliding with safety Courtney Osborne and is considered day to day.
Freshman Ciante Evans filled in against Missouri and will start if Dennard can’t go.
“I thought Ciante did a great job,” Pelini said. “He played well, and I thought he really rose to the occasion.”
Iowa State is 0-16 in conference games against top 10 opponents since the inception of the Big 12.
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