Nebraska outscores Kansas State

Nebraska quarterback Joe Ganz (12) passes to a teammate during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Manhattan, Kan., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. Ganz accounted for 365 yards of offense and four touchdowns, leading Nebraska to a 56-28 win over Kansas State. (AP)

Nebraska (7-4, 4-3) drove down to Manhattan, KS., and played a good offensive game en route to a 56-28 victory. The Huskers dominated the majority of the game, however, it was still in question with more than 14 minutes left in the fourth quarter.

The Husker defense was constantly in the face of Kansas State (4-7, 1-6) quarterback Josh Freeman and hit him hard over and over again. The Blackshirts gave up two big pass plays — a 63-yard TD and a 51-yard pass that set up a third quarter TD — but otherwise only gave up 133 more yards to the Wildcats.

The Huskers started off on the wrong foot, as Joe Ganz’s first pass was intercepted by KSU safety Courtney Herndon and returned 57 yards for a touchdown. With the Wildcats on top so quickly the Huskers needed a scoring drive, and they got just that on their very next possession.

Breaking down Nebraska vs. Kansas State

Roy Helu Jr. and Nebraska will head on the road to visit Josh Freeman and Kansas State in Manhattan, KS., on Saturday. The Huskers hope to run away from one of the Big 12's worst teams and continue it's fine road form. (Photo illustration, Michael Mason-D'Croz)

This weekend brings with it a very important game for the Nebraska Cornhuskers (6-4, 3-3), but a game that is even more important for the Kansas State Wildcats (4-6, 1-5).

Nebraska heads on the road to play against Kansas State in Manhattan, KS., and goes in as the clear favorite. However, the Cats need a win here to keep their bowl dreams alive, and will give Nebraska all it has.

Kansas State needs to win out to get to six wins and bowl eligibility and gets its final two games at home — this week against Nebraska, next week against Iowa State. However, Nebraska is playing to keep momentum and move forward towards a higher bowl.

At this point in time it looks likely that Nebraska will win their final two games of the season and end with an 8-4 record. With that record the Huskers will be looking at either the Gator Bowl, Sun Bowl or Alamo Bowl — all of which the Huskers would happily accept.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the positional breakdown.

First BCS standings released

Texas quarterback Colt McCoy (12) rushes for a touchdown as he is defended by Missouri's Stryker Sulak, right, during the first quarter of their NCAA football game in Austin, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008. (AP)

The Bowl Championship Series truly starts mattering this week as the rankings were released today for the first time this season. There are no surprises as to who is in the top three, and these rankings — along with all others — point to a good showing by the Big XII (South). There are four Big XII South teams represented in the top ten of the ranking.

Here’s the top ten in the rankings:

The last week…

Alright, yet against I got behind on writing the weekend’s recap … so without further ado here we go.

*All rankings reflect the team’s position prior to the game*

Big XII

Eastern Washington 24-31 Colorado

Colorado needed 17 points in the fourth quarter to get by this underwhelming Eastern Washington team at Boulder. Yes, Eastern Washington put up some yards and points against Texas Tech the week before, but there is no reason that Colorado should be pushed that hard at home. The Buffalo’s won with a Cha’Pelle Brown 27 Yd Interception Return for a TD with 1:44 left in the game, talk about clutch.

Cincinnati 26-52 (4) Oklahoma

The Sooners struggled at the beginning of the game, yet came out in the second half and completely dominated the Bearcats. The offense was lead by another efficient day

The Weekend’s Action

OK, Tuesdays this year will be when I’ll sit down and react to games from around the nation – and especially the Big XII – this season. It will give me enough time to digest how important each game is, and not be too emotional in my interpretations or musings over them. Unfortunately yesterday I was held from posting with other important duties to take care of so this week is on Wednesday. Each week I’ll start with the Big XII games – minus the Huskers who I talk about at length anyway – and work my way further and further away … so off we go!

*All rankings reflect what a team was ranked heading into the game*

Big XII

(23) Wake Forrest 41-13 Baylor

So much for an “improved” Baylor team. This team has some great young talent, yet I think it is still a few years off from contending for fourth place