Nebraska vs. Iowa Football: Who Has Best Chance to Play in 2011 Big Ten Championship Game?
Take the Poll at the end of this article to vote for the team with the best chance: Nebraska or Iowa?
Spring football is in the books for the Huskers and Hawkeyes. So what did we learn from the experience about both teams’ chances next fall?
From where I sit the answer is pretty much the same as before spring practice began: Nebraska has a lot of unanswered questions on offense and Iowa’s has a lot of holes to fill on defense.
Taking a look at Nebraska and Iowa’s 2011 football schedules, Iowa stands a much better chance than Nebraska to finish with a record good enough to win their division. Of course that is by no means a given. But when I look at Nebraska’s monstrous 2011 Big Ten schedule I can’t help but say “damn!” Pardon the language but…
Pictured at left: Iowa Hawkeyes First Team All-Big Ten DB #28 Shaun Prater (Omaha Central Class of 2008). Prater is listed as a 2011 preseason All-American DB by various sports publications.
 Nebraska Cornhuskers 2011 Football Schedule |  Iowa Hawkeyes 2011 Football Schedule | |||||||
| Date | Opponent Red = Home (2010 reccord) | Location | MHN Pick W (Win) L (Loss) ? (undecided) | Date | Opponent Gold = Home (2010 record) | Location | MHN Pick W (Win) L (Loss) ? (undecided) | |
| Sat, Sep 03 | Tennessee at Chattanooga (6-5) | Lincoln, NE | W | Sat, Sep 03 | Tennessee Tech (5-6) | Iowa City, IA | W | |
| Sat, Sep 10 | Fresno State (8-5) | Lincoln, NE | W | Sat, Sep 10 | Iowa State (5-7) | Ames, IA | W | |
| Sat, Sep 17 | Washington | Lincoln, NE | ? | Sat, Sep 17 | Pittsburgh (8-5) | Iowa City, IA | ? | |
| Sat, Sep 24 | Wyoming (3-9) | Laramie, Wyo | W | Sat, Sep 24 | Louisiana-Monroe (5-7) | Iowa City, IA | W | |
| Sat Oct 01 | Wisconsin (11-2) | Madison, Wis | ? | Break Oct 01 | ||||
| Sat, Oct 08 | Ohio State (12-1) | Lincoln, NE | ? | Sat, Oct 08 | Penn State (7-6) | University Park, PA | ? | |
| Break Oct 15 | Sat, Oct 15 | Northwestern (7-6) | Iowa City, IA | ? | ||||
| Sat, Oct 22 | Minnesota (3-9) | Minneapolis, Minn | W | Sat, Oct 22 | Indiana (5-7) | Iowa City, IA | W | |
| Sat, Oct 29 | Michigan State (11-2) | Lincoln, NE | ? | Sat, Oct 29 | Minnesota (3-9) | Minneapolis, MN | W | |
| Sat, Nov 05 | Northwestern (7-6) | Lincoln, NE | ? | Sat, Nov 05 | Michigan (7-6) | Iowa City, IA | ? | |
| Sat, Nov 12 | Penn State (7-6) | University Park, Pa | ? | Sat, Nov 12 | Michigan State (11-2) | Iowa City, IA | ? | |
| Sat, Nov 19 | Michigan (7-6) | College Station, TX | ? | Sat, Nov 19 | Purdue (4-8) | Lafayette, IN | W | |
| Fri, Nov 25 | Iowa (8-5) | Lincoln, NE | ? | Fri, Nov 25 | Nebraska (10-4) | Lincoln, NE | ? | |
| Sat, Dec 03 | Big Ten Championship Game | Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN | Will they be here? | Sat, Dec 03 | Big Ten Championship Game | Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis, IN | Will they be here? | |
The Nebraska Cornhuskers 2011 Big Ten Conference football schedule from hell opens with a road trip to play last year’s co-Big Ten champion Wisconsin followed the next weekend by a game at home against another 2010 conference co-champ Ohio State.
The jokers who made this schedule obviously figured that they needed to cut the Huskers some slack so they penciled in an open date after the Buckeye game and a date with lowly Minnesota the following week. The lull will be a much needed respite as it comes just before they face their next big time opponent Michigan State—the last of the three 2010 Co-Big Ten Champions.
The brutal Husker schedule does not let up! After the Michigan State game, all of Nebraska’s remaining conference opponents posted winning records in 2010. In fact only 2 of the teams the Huskers will face next fall had losing records last season (non-conference foe Wyoming and Minnesota). Hello!
| The New Big Ten Conference Divisional Alignments | |
| Leaders Division | Legends Division |
| Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin | Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern |
| Each school will play the other five schools within its division and will also face three teams from the other division, including one cross-division matchup guaranteed on an annual basis. The guaranteed cross-division matchups are Illinois-Northwestern, Indiana-Michigan State, Ohio State-Michigan, Penn State-Nebraska, Purdue-Iowa and Wisconsin-Minnesota. Each year the respective divisional winners will meet in the Big Ten Championship Game to decide the conference champion. The first Big Ten Championship Game will be played December 3, 2011, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | |
On the other side of the ledger—the good ol’ Hawkeyes’ schedule is not so tough: Out of the 12 opponents Iowa faces this season 5 had losing records in 2010. Moreover, Iowa will face only 1 of the 3 2010 Co-Big Ten champions (Michigan State). Factor in that Iowa has been in the Big Ten since—forever—and they know their opponents inside out, while Nebraska is the new kid on the block that will have to learn, on the fly, all the intricacies of their conference foes. Easier schedule and they know their foes well are the reasons why I have to give a nod towards the odds of Iowa posting a better overall record in 2011.
But wait a minute: If everything goes right for the Huskers, meaning they are able to find the right answers for all the questions they have on offense, they will have a much better shot than Iowa of winning the conference outright. Here is why:
The Huskers defense will again be stellar, and if they get that young talent on offense to click they can beat anybody. That’s the big “IF”.
My 3 Biggest Concerns for 2011 Nebraska Cornhuskers Football
1. The O-line—a lot of coaching-up will have to happen if this group is to succeed in bumping heads against their Big Ten foes. Only two consistent starters return along with several players that have logged significant game time. The Huskers have some good young talent here, but still it’s not real deep and has limited playing experience.
2. QB—if it were not for the fact that the game of football is won or lost—first— in the trenches this would be the No. 1 concern Nebraska faces in 2011. I’m still not sold on Taylor Martinez—he is still not 100% healthy plus too many issues there. But I do like what I saw out of redshirt freshman Brion Carnes in the Spring Game. He’s an elusive runner and even better—he has the kind of big arm to get it done against the best. He is not game tested so we don’t know what we could ultimately get, but my gut says it would be good. On that matter Cody Green is tested and I’d take him over anything less than 100% healthy Martinez.
3. Stay healthy Rex Burkhead and may incoming Rivals 5 star freshmen RB Aaron Green be all that. The Huskers have several other players that could produce some buzz on offense like true freshman Jamal Turner (already on campus and making big plays in Spring Game) and a speedy walk-on named Ty Kildow (Millard South) and a couple of more hot incoming freshmen. But get my drift: TOO MANY UNKNOWNS! However, if the line can’t block what does it matter.
Nebraska Cornhuskers 2011 Preseason Summary:
Today, the Husker defense is the strength of this team and they should remain among the nation’s very best in 2011. Remember they lost all-world DT Ndamukong Suh the year before and did fine last year. This past season they lost All-American lock-down corner and likely NFL first round draft pick Prince Amukamara. and just like with Suh’s departure the Huskers will recover. If the Huskers can find the right answers to their questions on offense they will be rewarded with a December 3 date to face the Leaders Division champion at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. If the offensive answers are not found— the Huskers could easily end up with 5 losses or more.
My 3 Biggest Concerns for 2011 Iowa Hawkeyes Football
1. Defense—my, talk about wiping the cupboards clean! Gone are: First Team All-Big Ten players Adrian Clayborn (DE) and Tyler Sash (SF); Second-Team All-Big Ten selectees Brett Greenwood (SF) Karl Klug (DE) and Jeremiha Hunter (LB) plus honorable mention All-Big Ten DT Christian Ballard. Fortunately all is not lost: the Hawkeyes return two of the best DB’s in the conference with First Team All-Big Ten player Shaun Prater (Omaha Central) and Micah Hyde, who earned honorable mention all-Big Ten.
It’s going to take a yeoman effort from the highly touted Iowa coaching staff to fill all the holes left behind here. But if any coaching staff in the county is capable of the task it’s this bunch!
2. QB —Gone is three-year starter Ricky Stanzi, a projected 3rd or 4th round NFL pick. Stanzi steadily improved his game each year and his leadership and his experience will be missed. Likely to fill Stanzi’s shoes is James Vandenberg. Two seasons ago, against Ohio State, Vandenberg started for an injured Stanzi and he almost led the Hawkeyes to an overtime win in Columbus If “Vandy” is unable to fulfill the promise, looking to step in is a very talented 6-foot-five, 230 pound redshirt freshman named A.J. Derby this kid is simply too good of an athlete to sit the bench, therefore, if Vandy is the man look for the Hawks to find another spot where Derby can contribute.
The good news for Iowa’s starting QB is that he will have a very good offensive line in front of him. The O-line returns almost entirely intact from last season.
3. Receivers— Proven WRs Marvin McNutt (2nd Team All-Big Ten) and Keenan Davis return, however McNutt underwent shoulder surgery this past winter and did not participate in spring ball. Depth will be a major concern here. More weapons will need to emerge.
Iowa Hawkeyes 2011 Preseason Summary
On offense Iowa will have the luxury of fielding a veteran O-line to go along with at least one very good game-tested back in sophomore Marcus Coker. The Hawkeyes may also see the return of RB Adam Robinson to the team. If their QB can just manage the game (not turn the ball over) they will be OK—but just OK. Because the Hawks’ depleted defensive unit is likely to give up more points in 2011 than they are accustomed to allow. Therefore, the offense is going to have to be capable of putting up points on the board. Vandenberg or Derby or whoever it is that runs this ship will have to be more than just a game manger—he will need to be a playmaker for the Hawkeyes to have any chance of making the big dance on December 3rd.
Iowa vs. Nebraska Head-to-Head in 2011: My Pick for “Farmageddon 1”
I’m laying my cards on the table: I have four favorite college football teams: Ohio State, Kansas State, Nebraska and Iowa. K-State isn’t in this conversation and Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel did some very naughty things, which makes it impossible for me to root for them this year (Yep that means I will be rooting against my hometown Buckeyes when they face Nebraska inside Lincoln Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium on October 8). So the preceding leaves me with Nebraska or Iowa to root for to win the 2011 Big Ten Championship.
Since I’m pulling for either team to win the Big Ten this year, the team I will root for on November 25th is the team that has the chance to go to the Big Ten Championship Game.
If both Nebraska and Iowa have an equal chance to win the Legends Division that day, I like underdogs, so I will root for Iowa.
The worst case scenario is that both teams are out of the hunt by the end of the season. If this occurs I will just be rooting for a good game. Unfortunately, right now, that worse case looks like a strong possibility unless both teams find the right answers to those questions.
What do you think?
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April 22, 2011 @ 12:08 pm
Will, stop throwing softballs and just say it:
Taylor Martinez is not the one. At least we know he is the type of player that got to be feeling perfect to play good. He can’t improvise his play to be effective when he is hurt. He is just fast (if he is not hurt) and has no moves and below average arm. He panics under pressure and he fumbles too much. That’s the truth. If Taylor Martinez is the QB the Huskers are counting on forget about it!
There. That’s what you meant right?
No more time to sugarcoat things my man, this is business. Let’s get real here.
April 22, 2011 @ 2:57 pm
Ah , so you think my take on Taylor Martinez should have been more like the “real” Wayne Brady and let it all come out? Remember that comedy skit on The Dave Chappelle Show? One of the funniest comedy bits ever! Here’s the link Warning: Strong Language and Violence — Chappelle and Brady Skit on YouTube.
April 22, 2011 @ 4:44 pm
Prediction
Let me lay it out for you:
Nebraska will be humiliated by Wisconsin and Ohio State. That defense may have worked in the Big 12 but their boys will get ran over by the best in the Big Ten.
No offense means no offense. Hoping and praying for some freshman to save their ass is like waiting on the Powerball lottery ticket. It’s just not going to happen in this conference.
By the time Nebraska reaches the Hawks Bo Pelini will have already blown a gasket and the Cornhead faithful, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, will have resigned to the fact that “we’re not in Kansas Big 12 Country anymore.
I’m being generous. At the very best Nebraska is 8-3 with 3 conference losses by the time they meet us. It’s more likely to be 7-4 or 6-5. Not good enough to make it to Indy.
Iowa will put the final nail in the coffin.
Yes sir, the Chappelle and Brady thing was hilarious!
April 22, 2011 @ 5:23 pm
No Sugar got it right.
April 22, 2011 @ 8:47 pm
Nebraska 2011 Win loss Prediction game by game.
Chattanooga W
Fresno State W
Washington L
Wyoming W
Wisconsin L
Ohio State L
Minnesota W
Michigan State L
Northwestern W
Penn State L
Michigan L
Iowa W
Nebraska 6W – 6L
April 22, 2011 @ 11:34 pm
Manny, I can’t see Bo Pelini and that talent going 6-6. It’s possible but not likely.
Fresno state and Washington could be tricky, but I see them going 4-0 into conference play. Wisconsin lost 3 starters on the O-line plus their QB. Nebraska has a good chance of an upset there. Nebraska vs Ohio State could be the Game of the Week—that is if the Buckeyes can survive Miami and Michigan State undefeated without Pryor and the rest of the suspende gang. Their first game back will be in Lincoln can you imagine the press for that game if both teams come in undefeated—HUGE. Could the Huskers be 6-0 after that game? If they do that means they answered those questions and will be well on their way to punching a ticket to the Big Ten Championship game.
The only way Nebraska finishes anywhere near 6-6 is a serious rash of injuries and/or if the offense regresses from last year’s inconstancy to being horrible. When is the last time you saw a truly horrible Husker offense?
April 23, 2011 @ 1:41 pm
Will Cummings: Whoever you are you must walk around smelling like butt-crack, seeing that you have your head so far up Nebraska’s ass. Besides I thought the topic was does Iowa or Nebraska have the best chance of making it to the conference championship?
Seriously, do you really think Nebraska is going to come into the Big Ten and make it to the title game in their first year and do it with that schedule? It didn’t happen for Penn State and it won’t for Nebraska. Iowa clearly has the better chance of winning the division. No way do the Huskers beat Ohio State with those suspended players coming back. They might already have a loss to Michigan State and they will be jacked to close out the season with straight wins. If they come in undefeated they will for sure blow them out. Anyway they win, Huskers lose. I say Huskers go 8-4 at best (if their lucky).and the loss to Iowa in the last game of the season will seal their fate.
Finally, what are the odds that in one season Nebraska will find all the right answers to the problems they have on offense? I’ll tell you, “ Looooooooooooong.”
April 23, 2011 @ 4:40 pm
No Sugar: Don’t get to close to me because you’re liable to smell the foul stench of Ohio State, K-State and Iowa emanating from me too. Not a “fan” of any single team but I follow and admire those college football programs mentioned plus Nebraska.
I would be shocked to see NU finish .500 or below and I would be shocked to see them win the national title but not shocked to see them play in it. That mean I believe they have a good shot at winning the Big Ten.
I am a strong believer in the concept that championship football teams are formed during the summer and fall camps. What Nebraska does between now and the first game will greatly determine what happens during the season: Team unity, leadership, drive and purpose and new stars will be formed during this time. I have no gut clue of what will emerge. We will all find out in a few months
May 11, 2011 @ 9:36 pm
Great preview of a game that I feel will determine the B10 West division (even if neither team wins it). Both teams have real ?s. Nebraska has a much tougher schedule than Iowa, and its against a bunch of teams that they aren’t used to playing. I love their defense but don’t see them making it without at least 2-3 losses before playing Iowa for the Cornucopia Cup on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The B10 is much deeper and more physical than the B12, and especially the B12 North. Iowa has to reload in many positions, but they still have a lot of talent, a powerhouse line and running game, a much easier schedule and a coaching staff that knows their B10 opponents very well. I’m pretty sure that that game in Lincoln will have a lot of hype and won’t disappoint! Go Hawks!
May 31, 2011 @ 12:21 pm
Nebraska will suck this year in the Ten! No way they win more than 3 conference games with that crappy offense led by a one-dimensional, gimpy-legged, sloppy bitch. She was horrible in her last few starts. It just goes to show that girls shouldn’t be playing football.
The Hawkeyes will put an exclamation mark on a horrible inaugural Big Ten season for the Cornhuskers, while Martina looks on from the sidelines with headset on and clipboard in hand, grateful that she isn’t out there getting whacked.
I can’t wait to see all those long-jawed faces in Lincoln after the ass whoppin the Hawks put on them.
Go Hawks!
June 1, 2011 @ 10:49 am
NU owns Iowa. The only reason why Martinez is on the sideline holding a clipboard is because we will be up by 21 or more points by halftime. You guys have zero chance of beating us in Lincoln. ZERO!
June 1, 2011 @ 10:02 pm
Keep dreaming buddy. I hear that Martina is in Cali working with a QB coach. That says a lot about your lousy coaching. No wonder there hasn’t been any NFL QBs from Nebraska.
June 20, 2011 @ 11:48 pm
Lets see Illinois was your No. 4 team last year and Mizzou BEAT them pretty handily and we beat Mizzou pretty handily. Also what has Iowa done late int he year the last two years LOST and had a very hard time winning once they started losing. We do not have the same OC you do. Our toughest games will be over after Ohio St and Wis. and there are three games that are poss. losses there with Wis. probably the toughest team with all of what is going on in Ohio. A 0-2 loss season is more likely. And they are throwing your best at us. Mich has a new coach, Ohio St the same and lost players, Minn has a new coach and we beat the team that beat your No. 4 team and Mich St is a bit up and down.
June 20, 2011 @ 11:55 pm
Oh and remember we beat Mizzou with Taylor being hurt in that game and our 3rd string QB in. Plus we have the Wildcat with our RB and he does that pretty well. If our OC last year would have played that instead of trying to pass on OU all the time we might have beaten OU. Plus we were getting to QB’s doing a 3 man rush fairly freq. and most of the time when we rushed 4. Plus Bo has been the DC of a NC team and has shown he can move people around and get good results and the ability to make half time and game time changes. Something that previous DC Cosgrove could never dream of doing. He wrecked Neb. D and made a MN D even worse Bo brought it back. Plus remember two years ago we held OU to a single TD and we are returning most of our D and O.
August 19, 2011 @ 1:00 pm
Three Big Ten losses for Nebraska: Wisconsin, OSU and Michigan State. I think it will be Wisconsin versus Michigan State for the championship.