• Nebraska has outscored opponents 108-13 in the fourth quarter, including last week's 10-0 margin in the overtime loss at Wisconsin. That 95-point fourth quarter leads the nation. With Nebraska heading into another huge game at Ohio State before hosting the Gophers next week, the Huskers' resilience under second-year coach Mike Riley has been striking. Especially considering the late-game struggles last year and before that under Bo Pelini.

• It's surprising seeing Penn State at No. 12 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, especially since James Franklin appeared to be on the hot seat before the Oct. 1 win over the Gophers. But now it's not hard to envision an 8-1 Big Ten finish for the Nittany Lions. They finish with Iowa (home), Indiana (road), Rutgers (road) and Michigan State (home).

• It seemed like Wisconsin's schedule would relent after LSU, Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and Nebraska. But now the Badgers head to Northwestern, where they are 0-4 since 1999. The Wildcats knocked off Iowa, Michigan State and Indiana before giving Ohio State a good scare last week in Columbus in that 28-24 loss. Wisconsin and Northwestern both need a win to stay alive in the Big Ten West race.