Following week three of the 2024 college football season, nearly half of the Big Ten Conference is ranked in the US LBM Coaches Poll and the Associated Press Poll.
The Huskers are one of seven Big Ten programs ranked in both polls, ranked No. 20 in the AP Poll and No. 22 in the Coaches Poll.
Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, USC, and Michigan are also ranked in both polls. The Buckeyes lead the way at No. 3 in both polls, the only Big Ten program ranked within the top five. The other four spots are filled with SEC programs in Texas, Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss.
Oregon and Penn State are the only other Big Ten teams ranked within the top ten. The Ducks ranked No. 9 in the AP and No. 6 in the coaches poll while Penn State slipped in both to No. 10 (AP) and No. 8 (coaches).
USC is just outside the top ten in both major polls, coming in at No. 11 according to the AP voters and No. 12 according to the coaches.
Finally, the Michigan Wolverines, following a third straight disappointing performance, albeit in a win, fell to No. 18 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the coaches poll. The Wolverines will have a showdown with USC this weekend in Ann Arbor.
Finally, in this week’s AP Poll, the Illinois Fighting Illini find themselves ranked for the first time since the 2022 season at No. 24 while finishing just outside the top 25 in the coaches poll.
This upcoming Friday, the Huskers will take on the Illini at Memorial Stadium at 7:00 p.m. local time. The game will be televised nationally on Fox.
Other remaining games against ranked opponents include an October 26 matchup in Columbus against Ohio State, and a November 16 trip to Los Angeles to face USC.
Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.