Top 25: Saturday Blitz Final 2014 College Football Rankings

Nov 28, 2014; Iowa City, IA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Zaire Anderson (13), offensive lineman Zach Hannon (72) and offensive lineman Chongo Kondolo (70) carry the Heros trophy off the field after beating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. Nebraska beat Iowa 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

25. Nebraska Cornhuskers, 9-4 (5-3)

Last Game: Lost to USC Trojans 45-42 in the Holiday Bowl

The Bo Pelini era may have ended at Nebraska, and a very close loss to the USC Trojans in the Holiday Bowl probably left even a more bitter taste inside those players’ mouths, but the Cornhuskers still made their case to be in the Top 25 this year, coming in with the final spot.

Sure, they had a rough end to the season with losses to Wisconsin, Minnesota, and ultimately USC, but they ran the table against everybody that they were supposed to beat. And their only other loss was to the Michigan State Spartans. None of those losses are anything to be ashamed of.

Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst obviously wanted to hire his guy and pretend like he brought in somebody to turn around the Nebraska football program. Well, he won’t be able to say Mike Riley inherited a mess.

We’re not giving him that benefit. Riley inherits a Top 25 team.

Next: No. 24 Ranked Team