Win at Nebraska ‘great way to end season’: Branstad

CEDAR RAPIDS - There are any number of high-level state government issues that may come up when Gov. Terry Branstad and Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman meet Friday.

One of them likely will be the first football meeting of the universities of Iowa and Nebraska since the Huskers joined the Big 10.

“We haven't made a wager yet, but we may,” Branstad said during a stop in Cedar Rapids this week. “I'm not generally a betting person, but maybe we can find something that would be appropriate.”

As for the outcome of what's being billed as “the Heroes Game,” it likely will depend on which Iowa team shows up in Lincoln, Branstad said of the 7-and-4 Hawks.

“Iowa has had some great games and then they've had some games they haven't played so well,” he said.

“I'd love to come back with a win,” the UI alumnus said. “That would be a great way to end the (regular) season.”

Branstad cautioned that it's always tough to play the 8-and-3 Huskers at Lincoln.

“But, you know, the Hawkeyes have a real chance because if you look at what happened last weekend - Iowa beat Purdue, but Nebraska lost to Michigan, a team Iowa beat,” the governor-turned-football analyst said.

The game is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. Friday.