The Nebraska football team didn't jump into the Top 25 in the Associated Press poll. The Huskers fell just short, finishing technically ranked 27th, just one spot behind Vanderbilt who is also knocking on the door.
That's what happens when you have the week off. You don't get to make your case for the rankings. At least not as good a case as the Huskers might have made otherwise. Still, thanks to the coaches' poll, there's reason for optimism and celebration.
The Nebraska football team, with its biggest game of the year to date on deck, is ranked 25th in the coaches' poll. That means the Huskers are ranked in October for the first time since 2016. That year is quite significant.
Nebraska football ranked in October for first time in almost a decade
There are a lot of "firsts since" going on in 2024. There is of course, the fact that the Huskers look like they're headed to a bowl for the first time since 2016. They got to five wins faster than any year than 2016. They started the season 3-0 for the first time since ... you guessed it, 2016.
The Cornhuskers have a chance to make a real statement on Saturday. If they can knock off the Indiana Hoosiers, who are 6-0 thanks to the strength of their offense, NU will almost certainly jump into the AP Top 25 and further into the coaches' poll.
They will also, of course, clinch a bowl. Something some grade schoolers have never seen, just in case you wanted a hit at just how long its been. Of course, in order to win, NU is going to need to iron out some wrinkles. That includes the proclivity to start slow on the road.
There's also the fact that Nebraska football's starting quarterback Dylan Raiola had the worst game of his young career against Rutgers. Here's hoping a week off allowed him to hit the reset button and go back to the gunslinger he was earlier in the season.