The final week of college football’s regular season has arrived, which means the Heroes Trophy is once again up for grabs.
This year’s iteration of the Iowa and Nebraska football game is a special one, as it’s the final year the game will be played on Black Friday for the foreseeable future. These two rivals will face off at Kinnick Stadium in week five of the 2026 season. The winner of this Friday’s game will get to hold some extra bragging rights because of that. The winner will also have to overcome a tight, slug-it-out type of game.
The Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers always seem to play close games against each other. In fact, the last seven games in this series have been decided by one possession, with four of those games being decided by three points. Iowa has won six of those seven one-possession games and nine of the last ten against Nebraska. No matter how good or bad each team looks entering the game, they also play each other closely.
The Hawkeyes are coming off an emotional Senior Day comeback victory. Nebraska is at home celebrating its Senior Day. This is the definition of a toss-up game. So, who do the experts have taking home the Heroes Trophy this season?
Iowa vs Nebraska expert predictions
College Football News: Iowa 24, Nebraska 16. College Football News is picking the Hawkeyes to go on the road and win the Heroes Trophy. Here’s more of what they had to say.
“This has to be another thriller, right? It’s what these two do.
Husker quarterback TJ Lateef doesn’t have to be anything special, but as long as he’s hitting the midrange throws and keeping the chains moving, this will stay close throughout.
But the Iowa defense will hold up well in the second half, and the rest of the team’s playbook will go step by step. That includes another dramatic Hawkeye finish.” -Pete Fiutak
Bleacher Report: Iowa 24, Nebraska 13. Bleacher Report is riding with the Hawkeyes to pick up a rare two-possession victory in the battle for the Heroes Trophy.
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