Nebraska Football Rankings Climb in Key Polls During Idle Week

The Nebraska Cornhuskers saw their national standing improve this week. This happened without the team playing a single down. The Huskers rose in two major computer rankings during their bye week before the bowl game.According to analysis from ESPN, the team now has a clearer postseason path. Nebraska holds a 7-5 record and will face the Utah Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl. This idle-week boost provides momentum heading into the final game.

Detailed Poll Movement and Bowl Outlook

Nebraska moved up one spot to 39th in the composite Massey Ratings. The team also jumped four places to 43rd in the CBS Sports 136 rankings. These were the most significant positive changes across the tracked metrics.The team’s average ranking across five major systems is now 44.6. That is an improvement from last week’s average of 45.4. The Huskers’ best average this season was 23.5 in mid-October.ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Nebraska a 19.4% chance to win its bowl game. The opponent, Utah, is given an 80.7% chance to win out. The Utes finished their season with a strong 10-2 record.

Season Context and Remaining Poll Positions

In other rankings, Nebraska’s position held steady or slightly declined. The Huskers remained at 44th in the ESPN FPI and 46th in the SP+ rankings. They dropped one spot to 51st in The Athletic’s national ranking.The team did not receive votes in the US LBM Coaches Poll or the AP Top 25. Nebraska last appeared in the AP Poll on October 12th. The College Football Playoff committee never ranked the Huskers this season.

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The late-season rankings bump offers a positive note for the program. It sets the stage for a challenging Las Vegas Bowl matchup. The final game will be a key test for the Nebraska football rankings trajectory.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: Did Nebraska play a game to improve its ranking?

No. The team was on a bye week. The ranking improvements came from recalibrations in computer models and shifts among other teams.

Q2: What is Nebraska’s bowl game and opponent?

Nebraska will play in the Las Vegas Bowl. Their opponent is the Utah Utes, who finished the season 10-2 and ranked 15th in the final CFP rankings.

Q3: What is Nebraska’s best current ranking?

The Huskers’ best ranking is 39th. This comes from the composite Massey Ratings, which averages 40 different ranking systems.

Q4: Has Nebraska been ranked in the AP Poll recently?

No. The Huskers have not been ranked in the AP Top 25 for eight consecutive weeks. Their last appearance was at No. 25 in mid-October.

Q5: What are the team’s FPI odds for winning the bowl?

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Nebraska a 19.4% chance to win the Las Vegas Bowl. Utah is given an 80.7% chance of victory.

Q6: How many wins does Nebraska have this season?

The Cornhuskers finished the regular season with a 7-5 record. They went 4-5 in Big Ten conference play