Husker Football: Playoff Poll Drop Did Nebraska a Favor

As soon as the November 11 College Football Playoff poll came out and I saw the Husker football team ranked four spots below their previous perch, I could hear it already. Ranking drops after bye weeks are always accompanied with the standard, “Why were we penalized when we didn’t even play?!”

Well, fan I just made up, this committee retorts with, “Why should Nebraska be rewarded for not playing?” Regardless of the drop, fans shouldn’t feel slighted. The Big Red was done a solid, anyway.

The leap from No. 16 to No. 4 may seem too large of a gap to overcome, but let me propose a scenario.

Nebraska goes into Madison, WI this weekend, stops Melvin Gordon and the No. 20 Wisconsin Badgers’ rushing attack, getting out of dodge with a narrow win.

The Huskers then get Minnesota’s best effort, but overall talent shines through and it’s a happy Senior Day in Lincoln.

Finally, Bo Pelini’s team shows up to Kinnick Stadium, points to the Hy-Vee Trophy and leaves, now riding a three-game winning streak.

Assuming Ohio State finishes the rest of its regular season schedule unharmed (and Urban Meyer’s troops should shred through it), the Big Red face the current No. 8 team in the nation. It’s quite possible the Big Ten Championship Game may be a Top Ten matchup.

If Pelini can beat a Top 25 team on the road and a Top 10 team for the program’s first conference title in 15 years, Nebraska will earn the respect its fans believe it rightfully deserves.

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While this hypothetical doesn’t wipe away the overall crud schedule faced by the Huskers, Pelini would have his signature win and Nebraska would have conference hardware. Only three other leagues will be able to claim that (sorry, Big 12).

Thanks to the committee’s decision, there’s less pressure on a team that’s unsure if its best player can still carry the team (or most of it, considering the brace).

Don’t take the drop personally, Husker football fans. A cookie bouquet may be in order if the Big Red can capitalize.