For the first time since September 2024, Nebraska football has returned to the Associated Press Top 25. The Huskers landed at No. 25 in the Week 8 rankings following a dramatic 34–31 road win over Maryland, improving to 5–1 overall and 2–1 in Big Ten play.
But while the AP voters finally gave Matt Rhule’s squad national recognition, the USA Today Coaches Poll told a different story. Nebraska failed to crack the top 25 in the coaches’ rankings, sitting at the equivalent of No. 27 despite outperforming several higher-ranked teams in recent weeks.
The snub has sparked debate among fans and analysts, especially given Nebraska’s head-to-head win over Cincinnati in the season opener. The Bearcats are ranked No. 24—one spot ahead of the Huskers—despite losing to them by three points in Kansas City.
Nebraska’s climb back into the AP poll marks a turning point for a program that hasn’t held a ranking since its brief appearance last season following a win over Colorado. That momentum was short-lived, as an overtime loss to Illinois knocked the Big Red out of the national conversation.
Now, with only one ranked opponent left on the schedule—No. 21 USC—the Huskers have a clear path to solidify their standing. They return to action Friday night against Minnesota, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. CT on FOX.
Whether the coaches will finally acknowledge Nebraska’s resurgence remains to be seen. For now, the Huskers are ranked—but not respected.