Iowa football vs. Nebraska: Who wins? Final score predictions

For the final time in the foreseeable future, Iowa and Nebraska will lock horns on Black Friday for the Heroes Trophy.

It's been an annual day after Thanksgiving tradition for these two rivals to play on the gridiron, but that tradition is ending this year. The Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers will play in week five next season, meaning the winner of this game will have some extra bragging rights in the future.

Both teams enter this game with a 7-4 record on the season. The winner will get that eighth win and feel a lot better about themselves as the 2025 season comes to an end. The loser will be left with a bitter taste in their mouth and the feeling that this was a failed season. There's so much on the line in this game, even beyond the actual Heroes Trophy itself.

The Hawkeyes have won nine of the last ten in this rivalry and six of the last seven, which have all been one-score games. Will Nebraska flip the script at home this year? Or will the Hawkeyes continue their dominance over one of their biggest rivals? Here are the Hawkeyes Wire team's official predictions for Iowa vs Nebraska.

Iowa vs Nebraska score predictions

Riley Donald: Iowa is taking on a freshman QB. This is where the Iowa defense under Phil Parker shines. He will load the box, heat it up on passing downs, & get the offense a few short fields. On offense, Iowa can rely on a few short fields for easy possessions with one long drive, which is a Mark Gronowski special, to cap this off. The Hawkeyes know how to win these games & do it again.

Iowa 24, Nebraska 16

Scout Springgate: Iowa and Nebraska battle in a highly competitive affair that has become the standard within the rivalry. The bread and butter for the Hawkeyes will be their hard-hitting run game, off the tremendous work at the line of scrimmage by their offensive line.

If the Hawkeyes can establish a consistent run game, they should have no problem putting away the Cornhuskers. The one concern for Iowa will be its defense against the pass, as Nebraska also has a skilled run game.

Iowa 27, Nebraska 20

Zach Hiney: This game is always close. The last seven in this series have been one-possession games, with four of those being decided by three points. The Hawkeyes have won six of those seven games, so they know how to close things out against Nebraska. The Cornhuskers will want to win this one badly in front of their home fans on Senior Day. They might throw the first punch, but I expect the Hawkeyes to deliver the knockout blow.

Iowa will get pressure on freshman quarterback TJ Lateef, which will lead to one or two costly mistakes from the young signal caller. Offensively, Mark Gronowski will use his experience to calm down some early nerves and do just enough for Iowa to win. He leads another clutch late drive, and this game will end just like last year's did. With Drew Stevens splitting the uprights as time expires.

Iowa 20, Nebraska 17

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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football vs. Nebraska: Who wins? Final score predictions