BCS Rankings: Nebraska Will Keep Climbing Table

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have climbed their way into the BCS top 10. They find themselves with a great chance to creep up inside the Top Five if they can win the rest of their winnable games. 

Their remaining schedule includes Northwestern, Penn State, Michigan and ends with Iowa the day after Thanksgiving. Michigan is currently ranked No. 15, while Penn State follows at No. 16. 

This slideshow will preview the remaining games on Nebraska's schedule and predict where they will end up in the final BCS poll. 

1. November 5 vs. Northwestern

Northwestern snapped its five-game losing streak against Indiana, but did nothing to prove that its defense has become any better. They allowed 38 points to an Indiana team that has struggled putting together points and has only scored more than 30 twice, including their game against Northwestern. 

Nebraska has only gotten better as the season has progressed. Although Taylor Martinez is not known for his passing, the Northwestern secondary is too porous for the Cornhuskers to not take advantage of it. They are currently averaging 160.3 passing yards per game, but look for them to pass for over 220 and take advantage of this Northwestern defense. 

A solid victory will help them in computer rankings, as well as the in the eye test, as voters will start to side with the Cornhuskers. 

Game Prediction: Nebraska 42 Northwestern 14

2. November 12 at Penn State

After Penn State gave Joe Paterno his record-setting win and captured the top of the Big Ten Leaders division, they control their own destiny and will be playing like it. They too are at the top of their game and have played very solid defense all year. 

The Penn State defense has allowed just 12.4 points per game, fourth in the nation, and have held four opponents to single digits this year. 

The Nebraska defense can easily match that production and win a defensive struggle. Bo Pelini is known for his defenses and this season is no different; they held a Michigan State offense that had been rolling to just three points. 

Nebraska averages 252.1 rushing yards per game and have shown that they are capable of powering the ball down the field, as well as having speed on the outside. Penn State cannot defend both aspects and Nebraska will break this game open, as they gain even more steam heading into a week with another tough matchup. 

Score Prediction: Nebraska 21 Penn State 10

The Nebraska defense will prove too much for Penn State and Nebraska scores three rushing touchdowns. 

3. November 19 at Michigan

Michigan went from being one of the worst defenses in the country to becoming one of the best defenses in the Big Ten. Brady Hoke has allowed Denard Robinson to flourish and has focused on getting the defense in sync. Their only loss has come against Michigan State and they will be playing against Nebraska at the Big House.

Nebraska hasn't had a statement road win and will find one here. Taylor Martinez will barely edge Robinson in a game that will come down to the last drive. Nebraska will show the flaws in the Michigan defense and find that it can be taken advantage of with a power run game. 

Score Prediction: Nebraska 27 Michigan 24

Nebraska wins on an end-of-game field goal after being down 24-14, which will show voters that Nebraska can be resilient. 

4. November 25 vs. Iowa

Although Iowa has had an average season this far, the Hawkeyes seem to be able to get up for big games, and it will be no different going into hostile Lincoln for a day-after-Thanksgiving game that will fuel the Hawkeyes. Marvin McNutt and James Vandenberg have been on very good terms this year and, for Nebraska to win, they must shut down McNutt. In all of the Hawkeye losses, McNutt has had fewer than 100 yards, while in wins he has had over 100 yards—with the exception of Minnesota, where he barely edged 100 yards.

The Nebraska secondary is clearly capable of stopping this attack and keeping McNutt under tough double coverage, which will force Iowa to rely on Kevonte Martin-Manley and Keenan Davis, who have shown flashes but have been largely inconsistent. 

The Iowa defense has allowed average teams to put up points on them and Nebraska is more than your average team. They will end their season and place themselves in the Big Ten Championship Game with a big statement win against Iowa.

Score Prediction: Nebraska 35 Iowa 17

Where Will the Huskers End Up?

I do think that the Huskers have a chance at ending up in the BCS top five, especially since many of the teams in the top 10 must play each other. Oregon has a chance at uprooting Stanford, Oklahoma can beat Oklahoma State and LSU and Alabama play this week. It's very possible, by process of elimination, the Cornhuskers find themselves in the Big Ten Championship Game and inside the BCS top five. 

If they can win that game they will receive an automatic Rose Bowl berth; with a loss, though, they will possibly be chosen for an at-large bid to another BCS bowl because their loyal following travels well. 

Nebraska rebounded after a bad loss to Wisconsin, and will prove that they are still a very good team.