College Football Rankings 2016: Projected AP Top 25 after Week 5

Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies running back Myles Gaskin (9) tosses the ball to an official after scoring on a eight-yard run against the Stanford Cardinal during the second half at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 1, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Michael Rose-Ivey (15) and defensive end Ross Dzuris (88) tackle Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Malik Turner (11) in the second quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /

For a long stretch of their game against Illinois on Saturday, Nebraska was on upset alert. The Cornhuskers were behind 13-10 at the half and 16-10 after three quarters. Then Terrell Newby went to work on the ground as the Huskers scored on three straight possessions in the fourth quarter. Newby finished with 140 rushing yards and scores of three and 63 yards. The defense held Illinois under 300 total yards, spending less than 22 minutes on the field.

Nebraska ought to be 7-0 when they travel to Madison and Columbus for tough road games against the Badgers and Buckeyes to end October and begin November. If they emerge on the other side of that roadblock unscathed, Mike Riley’s team is in position to vault up the AP Top 25 and contend for a College Football Playoff berth. That’s obviously a big if, but for now the Huskers are trending upward in the polls.

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