The Heroes Trophy, an annual tradition that has defined the day after Thanksgiving for more than ten years, will be up for grabs on Black Friday between Iowa and Nebraska for the last time in the near future. That era is coming to an end this year. The rivalry shifts to Week 5 starting next season, so whoever wins this game will not only win a trophy but also have long-term bragging rights.
Both teams have a 7–4 record going into the game, which is respectable but hardly satisfying for either fan base. However, that eighth victory? Everything is altered by that. It changes expectations for the postseason, eases the pain of the year’s low points, and gives coaches and players something to look forward to in 2025. A bitter aftertaste and the persistent conviction that the season fell short will accompany the loser’s offseason. In rivalry games, stakes like that usually tighten the screws, and this one is no exception.
Iowa has always had the advantage. Six of the previous seven meetings and nine of the previous ten have been won by the Hawkeyes. Additionally, those games have been knife fights rather than blowouts. Four of the previous seven games have come down to a field goal or less, and each has been decided by a single possession. Iowa consistently manages to wrestle these games to the ground, even though Nebraska has been extremely close at times. The question now is whether the Hawkeyes will win the rivalry they’ve essentially created their own, or if the Cornhuskers can finally turn the tide at home on Senior Day.
This brings us to the Hawkeyes Wire staff, who shared their predictions regarding the course of this Black Friday battle. Riley Donald believes that Iowa’s advantages, particularly Phil Parker’s defense, will be fully utilized in this match. Donald thinks Parker will do what he does best—put pressure on young signal callers to make mistakes—because Nebraska is starting a rookie quarterback. Iowa will likely load the box, increase the intensity of passing downs, and give the offense a few short fields. Mark Gronowski, whose steady hand should enable Iowa to complete drives that start with advantageous field position, is perfect for that kind of setup. Donald believes the Hawkeyes will win these tough, low-margin games once more because they have a history of doing so. His summons? Nebraska 16, Iowa 24.
Scout Springgate envisions a traditional grinder that is competitive, physically demanding, and mostly determined by which team controls the line of scrimmage. That means Iowa will have to rely heavily on its run game. Iowa’s ability to go downhill could prove to be crucial as the offensive line has improved throughout the season. Springgate thinks Nebraska will struggle to keep up if the Hawkeyes develop a rhythm on the ground. The one issue she brings up is Iowa’s pass defense, particularly in light of the Huskers’ demonstrated ability to supplement their rushing attack with accurate throws. Nevertheless, she believes Iowa’s formula will hold, projecting a Hawkeyes victory of 27–20.
Zach Hiney, on the other hand, is drawn to the rivalry’s past. Hiney anticipates that this year will be no exception to the way these games always seem to end in the last seconds. The Hawkeyes have continuously demonstrated their ability to shut out Nebraska under pressure, as evidenced by their seven consecutive one-score games in the series, with Iowa winning six of them. However, he also recognizes the other side’s emotional stakes. With a home crowd supporting them on Senior Day, Nebraska’s players are desperate for this victory. Driven by urgency and adrenaline, Hiney believes the Huskers will attack first, but he doesn’t see them landing the final blow.
Rather, he believes the pivotal plays will come from Iowa’s defense. TJ Lateef, a freshman quarterback, is gifted, but even seasoned players frequently make mistakes when under Parker’s pressure. The game could be changed by one or two costly mistakes. After a few early nerves, Hiney believes Gronowski’s experience will calm things down offensively and he’ll do just enough to keep Iowa steady in the closing minutes. And after that? As in the previous season, he sees a familiar ending: Drew Stevens leaving to try a game-winning goal. Iowa 20, Nebraska 17 in his final.
This final Black Friday battle is significant for the foreseeable future, regardless of how it turns out. It will be close, according to history. It will be intense, according to emotion. Both teams are aware that this game will determine how their season is remembered.
