116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Iowa football 2023 early opponent preview: Nebraska
Rhule begins rebuild of Nebraska team that has not posted winning record since 2016
Editor’s note: This is 12th in a 12-part series previewing Iowa’s 2023 football opponents.
IOWA CITY — Not that Nebraska’s six consecutive losing records would show it, but Iowa football has had some high-stakes games against its Big Ten rival to the west.
In 2021 and 2022, a win against Nebraska stood in the way of Iowa and a trip to the Big Ten championship.
The Hawkeyes got the win they needed in Lincoln in 2021. A year later, Nebraska pulled off the upset at Kinnick Stadium and spoiled their hopes of a second consecutive Big Ten West title.
Between the coaching instability in the division and Iowa’s influx of offensive talent, Iowa’s Black Friday game against Nebraska could potentially have Big Ten West title implications again.
The Hawkeyes will again face a team going through a transition, as the Huskers are Iowa’s fifth opponent with a first-year or interim head coach.
Matt Rhule, the coach who led quick rebuilds at Temple and Baylor before an ill-fated head coaching stint in the NFL, now is leading the Huskers.
Rhule has talked highly of the developmental aspect of college football — a contrast from ex-coach Scott Frost’s aggressive transfer portal strategy. It’s more in line with what has worked for the nearby Hawkeyes under Kirk Ferentz’s leadership, too.
But Rhule’s first season in Lincoln will necessitate some help from the transfer portal.
Quarterback Jeff Sims came from Georgia Tech, where he started 23 games in three seasons. He completed 57.5 percent of his passes and threw 30 touchdowns and 23 interceptions in his three years with the Yellow Jackets.
Former Virginia wide receiver Billy Kemp could be an immediate contributor after grabbing 192 career receptions with the Cavaliers. Former Baylor wide receiver Josh Fleeks and former Georgia tight end Arik Gilbert are among the other offensive weapons added via the portal.
Linebacker M.J. Sherman could be another player to watch from the portal. Sherman appeared in 39 games for a Georgia team that won two national titles while he was there.
Rhule has some playmakers coming back from Frost’s Nebraska roster as well.
Running back Gabe Ervin is expected to be the No. 1 running back after averaging 4.7 yards per carry on 20 attempts as a redshirt freshman.
Several notable defensive players are coming back, including cornerback Quinton Newsome, linebackers Luke Reimer and Nick Henrich and defensive lineman Ty Robinson.
Iowa vs. Nebraska: 3 things to watch
- Which Nebraska true freshmen become immediate contributors? The Huskers only have 11 seniors on the roster, including walk-ons.
- Gabe Ervin vs. Iowa’s defensive front. Considering Rhule’s past tendency to run the ball heavily, Ervin could take center stage as he and his offensive line try to muscle past an experienced Iowa defensive line.
- How many people tune in? With CBS broadcasting the Black Friday game instead of Big Ten Network, the Iowa-Nebraska game likely will have a lot more eye balls on it. From a casual fan’s perspective, that might not make much of a difference. From a program exposure and revenue standpoint, though, it is an appealing opportunity.
2023 prognosis
Iowa-Nebraska games have come down to one possession in five consecutive years. The Hawkeyes appear to be the better team on paper, although one would have said that last year ahead of Iowa’s 24-17 loss.
Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters