The Daily Iowan’s Iowa-Nebraska Exams

November 27, 2015

DI football reporters Danny Payne and Jordan Hansen list four things No. 4 Iowa must do in order to beat Nebraska.

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LINCOLN, Nebraska — Hello from Memorial Stadium. This place is pretty impressive, and we’re a little under two hours from football. Here are four things the Hawks will have to do to finish their first undefeated season in the modern era. If you want to read them, our predictions are here.

Force turnovers

Nebraska quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. is tied with Maryland’s Perry Hills for the most interceptions given up this season. They’ve each thrown 12 — not good. Iowa has been lacking in the takeaway department the last couple weeks, and Nov. 27 is a perfect time to get back on track in that department. Unfortunately, Hawkeye star DB Desmond King (8 interceptions) will miss the first quarter because he was late for a team meeting.

Grade: A++++++++++++. Four interceptions and two stops on fourth down. Oh, and a defensive touchdown. That’ll do Iowa defense, that’ll do.

Score first

Forcing other teams to play from behind has been Iowa’s recipe for success all season. Should the Hawks continue that trend, it’ll force Armstrong and Company to press early, which should play right into Iowa’s game plan.

Grade: A-. It took them a bit, but they scored a touchdown on an early C.J. Beathard touchdown to George Kittle.

Open things up early

Nebraska has one of the worst pass defenses in the Big Ten, and C.J. Beathard needs to attack it early and often. Iowa has weapons in the passing offense, and this is a game for them to shine.

Grade: C-. Iowa’s offense never clicked and never found much of a groove. They did, however, do enough to get a win.

Limit the Big Play

Armstrong is going to put up numbers today. Nebraska loves to pass and won’t hesitate to do so. If there was a game for Iowa to pull out all the stops on the “Bend don’t break defense,” that game would be today.

Grade: B. A couple drives saw Armstrong whip it down the field, others saw Iowa’s defense come up big. However, Nebraska was never really able to hit a home run.

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