College Football: Group of 5 Week 4 power rankings
By Zach Bigalke
On Saturday, Northern Illinois went to Lincoln and took down Nebraska 21-17 in one of the biggest upsets of Week 3. The Huskies forced three Tanner Lee interceptions, returning two for touchdowns. They also held the Cornhuskers under 100 rushing yards as a team. NIU’s defense came up with several big stops late in the game to seal the close but significant upset.
The win vaults Northern Illinois into the Group of Five Power Rankings for the first time in 2017. They dominated the MAC West from 2010 through 2015, playing in six straight conference championship games. Western Michigan took over the division title last year, but the Huskies have shown so far this year that they are fixing on returning to their place atop the standings. The win over Nebraska boosts their credentials for a possible New Year’s Six run as well.
Northern Illinois is no stranger to big bowl games, having earned the last BCS Buster berth handed out before the end of that era. Their only loss came in the season opener, a three-point loss to Boston College on the road. The Huskies take off next weekend before a trip to California to face Mountain West leaders San Diego State. Rod Carey’s team will be heavy underdogs when they take on the Aztecs in a Group of Five showcase.