Big Ten Wrap: Iowa’s Title, Nebraska’s Turnovers, Smith

**Iowa’s Defensive Dominance Secures Big Ten West Title, Nebraska’s Season Ends in Heartbreak**

**LINCOLN, NE (November 24, 2023)** – The No. 16 Iowa Hawkeyes concluded their regular season with a characteristic 13-10 victory over Nebraska, a tight contest that perfectly encapsulated their 2023 campaign. The win, coming on the final weekend of regular season play, propelled Iowa to a 9-3 overall record (7-2 Big Ten West) and punched their ticket to the Big Ten Championship game in Indianapolis, where they will face No. 2 Michigan on December 2nd.

Iowa’s path to the championship has been defined by a stark contrast between an elite defense and a struggling offense. Their suffocating defense ranks 4th nationally, surrendering a mere 13.2 points per game. However, the offense tells a different story, languishing at 120th nationally in total offense. This disconnect became even more pronounced after starting quarterback Cade McNamara suffered a season-ending injury in late September, leaving backup Deacon Hill to navigate the remainder of the schedule amidst clear offensive struggles.

Despite these offensive woes, Iowa has consistently found ways to win, often thanks to stellar special teams play, spearheaded by dynamic returner Cooper DeJean and standout punter Tory Taylor. Their journey to the Big Ten West title also received a significant boost when Purdue unexpectedly defeated Illinois, clearing the path for the Hawkeyes. As they head to Lucas Oil Stadium, the prevailing question for Iowa is whether their formidable defense and special teams can elevate them into legitimate contention for a New Year’s Six bowl, or if their division title was a fortunate outcome of a forgiving schedule.

Meanwhile, the defeat marked a disappointing end for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, who finished the season at 5-7, extending their bowl drought to seven consecutive years. Under first-year coach Matt Rhule, the Cornhuskers’ season was a series of agonizing “what ifs.” Nine of their 12 contests were decided by a single possession, with four losses by three points or less, painting a picture of a team consistently on the cusp of victory.

The primary culprit behind Nebraska’s struggles was an egregious turnover problem. They coughed up the ball 13 times in their final five games alone, culminating in an FBS-worst turnover margin of -15. Their quarterback situation was a revolving door, featuring early benchings for Jeff Sims, turnover struggles from Heinrich Haarberg, and a late-season takeover by Chubba Purdy. It was a frustrating contrast to their defense, which, like Iowa’s, was a national strength, ranking 15th overall. The loss to Iowa particularly stung, as a failed fake punt deep in their own territory directly led to the Hawkeyes’ game-winning field goal, underscoring a season where the Cornhuskers often seemed to beat themselves.

***

**Jeremiah Smith: The Future of College Football Begins with Unprecedented Hype**

While programs like Iowa and Nebraska navigate the immediate present of college football, the future is already taking shape with talents like Jeremiah Smith. The wide receiver from Hollywood, Florida, widely recognized as the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit for the 2024 class, has generated an “incredible career start” even before officially stepping onto a collegiate field for game action, having committed to Ohio State.

Smith’s early dominance is largely a testament to his immense hype, jaw-dropping high school film, and early commitment to a program renowned for developing elite wideouts. Putting his stature into historical perspective, it is a rare occurrence to witness a receiver enter college with such universal acclaim and sky-high expectations. Analysts and scouts consistently draw comparisons between Smith and current NFL stars, highlighting a talent level that suggests he could be a generational prospect.

With early enrollment and reports from spring practices often providing the first real indicators, word out of Columbus has been nothing short of stellar, suggesting Smith is already living up to his incredible billing. To be considered this dominant *before* officially starting is a testament to his raw talent and preparation, echoing the early buzz that surrounded legends like Randy Moss or Julio Jones in their amateur days. This anticipation hints at a freshman year for Smith that could potentially shatter expectations and redefine the standard for collegiate wide receiver debuts.