3 Players: Iowa vs. Nebraska

It's Farmageddon time!  (Or whatever you prefer to call it - I like Iowa vs. Nebraska, but you know...)

The Hawks start a new rivalry this Friday, and will come into the game as 9.5 point underdogs. The game seems to have lost a lot of cache, as both teams have failed to live up to their fan's expectations (welcome to Iowa football), but will still end up having an impact on what Bowl games both teams are destined for.  If Iowa is going to win the game, here are the three players that will need to step up.

And for the record, in the previous "3 players" entry for the game vs. Michigan State, McCall didn't see the field, Nielsen had a mediocre game, and Norm was...well...he was Norm and not much else.  Iowa got rolled, so I'll give myself a win.

1. Jordan Bernstine, S
You could make an argument that every player on the Iowa defense is going to have to play lights out if Iowa is going to win.  Against Nebraska, you've got a few extra challenges.  Rex Burkhead is a monster in the backfield, Taylor Martinez can still burn you with his feet, and has finally started to figure out how to throw the football.

When there's a big threat to run, it usually means the front four and linebackers need to step up.  Well, I'm just not sold that the big men in the trenches are capable this season, and the linebackers have been so-so throughout the year with a few flashes of brilliance.  When you start talking about a safety being involved to slow down the run, you know it's not a good thing, BUT, sometimes it's the way things play out.  Bernstine has shown real promise at times this season.  Literally, the difference between a gain of three and a gain of four could be what this game comes down to.  That's where having an active safety can save you. 

2. Keenan Davis, WR
Everyone and their dog knows Marvin McNutt can play.  Nebraska will make sure he's covered up more plays than not.  That means someone else is going to pose a "big play" threat down field, and that someone has to be Keenan Davis.  I like the way Martin-Manley plays, and he has a bright future, but in what's been a somewhat disappointing season, Davis needs to have a big day in Lincoln. 

3. The Iowa Fans
A little cliche, don't you think?  That's why I saved it for the end.  Former ISU QB Austen Arnaud told us that the entire stadium shakes in Lincoln when the crowd gets behind the Huskers, sort of like how an X-Box controller shakes in your hands.  How ever many Iowa fans manage to weasel their way into Memorial Stadium will need to cheer extra loud to help the Hawks feel at home in a hostile environment.