Iowa-Nebraska Rivalry Heats Up With Playful NFL Promos

Rivalry Week is here, signaling that the college football season is nearing its conclusion. While next week’s conference championship games will determine College Football Playoff positioning, this weekend’s slate of games could still shift momentum for teams and fans alike. Among the matchups, some games carry playoff implications, while others are steeped in tradition and state pride.

One such game is the Iowa-Nebraska matchup. The two programs, both finishing the season at 7-4, share a border and a long-standing rivalry that stretches back decades. While this contest won’t affect the playoff picture, it remains a highly anticipated game for fans, alumni, and players alike. Both teams are scheduled to appear in bowl games in the coming weeks, but this matchup is about pride as much as postseason positioning.

The rivalry took on a lighter tone earlier this week when former NFL linebacker Will Compton and current San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle exchanged playful jabs. The banter, while tongue-in-cheek, highlighted the enduring fan and player interest surrounding the Iowa-Nebraska matchup.

Kittle first addressed Compton on the Scott Van Pelt Show following the 49ers’ win over the Carolina Panthers. His remarks mixed humor with competitive spirit, teasing the Nebraska program while hyping the upcoming showdown.

1. Kittle Fires First

Kittle didn’t hold back in his remarks about the rivalry. He addressed Compton directly, highlighting a voice memo Compton sent on the morning of Kittle’s Monday Night Football game. According to Kittle, the timing of the message reflected Compton’s fear of Nebraska. “Didn’t really appreciate your voice memo… talking crap to me about Nebraska-Iowa. Didn’t settle with me,” Kittle said. “That’s the kind of thing Nebraska does: they take cheap shots. I’m preparing for a MNF game, and you’re coming at me about Nebraska-Iowa? That means you’re scared.” Kittle also poked fun at Nebraska’s recent struggles, referencing the Cornhuskers’ 30-point loss to Penn State. “Iowa is going to come in there and run it down your throat, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Sit on the bus that doesn’t go anywhere and shut your mouth,” he added, mixing humor with rivalry heat. While Kittle’s delivery echoed a wrestling promo style he’s familiar with, his comments were made in good fun, blending personal banter with the larger cultural spectacle of the rivalry.

2. Compton Responds

Compton had his turn on the air, responding to Kittle’s remarks on the Pat McAfee Show. He delivered his own promo, leaning into the same exaggerated competitive spirit while keeping the exchange lighthearted. The interaction quickly became playful entertainment rather than serious trash talk. Both participants demonstrated mutual respect, even as they leaned into rivalry-style theatrics. Kittle later joined the segment via FaceTime, continuing the banter and reinforcing the fun nature of the exchange. By the end of the segment, both agreed on the humorous side of their rivalry-inspired feud, concluding with “I love you,” signaling no bad blood between them. This lighthearted exchange added an unusual but entertaining layer to the Iowa-Nebraska narrative, reminding fans that rivalry week is as much about fun and tradition as it is about wins and losses.

3. On-Field Context

Beyond the playful promos, the Iowa-Nebraska game will have real football implications for each program. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola is out for the season, leaving TJ Lateef as the Cornhuskers’ starting signal-caller. Both teams enter the matchup with identical 7-4 records, making the contest more about pride and rivalry than postseason impact. Each program hopes to send its players into bowl season with momentum and confidence. Iowa, like Nebraska, will look to capitalize on Nebraska’s injury struggles while maintaining its strong defensive identity. Past games between these teams have featured physical, hard-fought play, and this weekend is expected to be no different. Even with the NFL-inspired distractions, both teams and their fan bases remain focused on the gridiron. The blend of competitive spirit and playful banter underscores why rivalry week remains a cherished tradition in college football.