MADISON, Wis. _ The Cornhuskers carried a 7-0 record and a No. 7 national ranking into Saturday's game at 11th-ranked Wisconsin, but the resume wasn't enough to alter the national perception of Nebraska last week.
The Badgers were a healthy favorite, and the Cornhuskers spent the week hearing how their schedule didn't justify their status, as if it were somehow Nebraska's fault that marquee nonconference opponent Oregon, ranked No. 22 at the time, is turning in its worst season in years.
The effort Nebraska brought to Camp Randall was worthy of a top-10 program, and the team returned to Lincoln believing the 23-17 overtime loss was theirs to win but that it got away from them.
Not in an obvious sense. The Cornhuskers didn't make the late mistakes that nearly doomed Wisconsin _ two fourth quarter interceptions, a missed field goal and a shanked extra point _ but that they couldn't take full advantage indicates there's room for growth in coach Mike Riley's program.
"We gave ourselves a chance to win against a good program, but we didn't get it done," Riley said.
But the Cornhuskers succeed in moving the perception. When the polls were released on Sunday, Nebraska remained in the top 10.
There was room for upward mobility after less-than-convincing victories by Louisville and Ohio State. The guess here is the Huskers would have climbed to No. 5 with a victory.
That didn't happen because twice in the fourth quarter Nebraska reached midfield without coming away with points. Credit the Badgers defense, perhaps the nation's best this side of Alabama. Only the Tide has a better scoring defense over the past four years than Wisconsin.
But a next step in the Nebraska evolution is to swim with the tide of momentum at a critical juncture.
With a few ticks under 4 minutes remaining, Wisconsin kicker Andrew Endicott barely missed a 45-yard field goal, leaving the game tied.
Karma seemed to be with Nebraska. The series of excruciating losses in Riley's first season included a loss to the Badgers on a last-second Wisconsin field goal. This would be payback as the Cornhuskers quickly posted a first down, moving to midfield with plenty of time and two timeouts in their pocket.
Nebraska had positioned itself for a season-defining moment. About 15 more yards would land the Huskers in field goal range. They controlled the clock and the turf and could break the Badgers' hearts as theirs were last year.
The fourth quarter had belonged to the Huskers all season. They've outscored opponents 108-13. But three plays produced no yards, and now Wisconsin felt a sense of relief.
But Wisconsin provided one more gift. After a touchdown to get to overtime, Endicott shanked the extra point. Touchdown, extra point wins it for Nebraska and all but clinches the West Division.
There was no touchdown, not even a first down. There might have been a defensive pass interference not called on third down _ Riley thought so _ but Nebraska had another down.
The end zone shot was a questionable call. The Huskers needed 8 yards for a first down and went for 23 in the back corner of the end zone.
The pass breakup touched off a Wisconsin player rush in the end zone, in front of the most-fun student section in college football. The Badgers made the play and deserved the outcome. This is a team that has played beyond all expectation, falling only to Michigan and Ohio State this season. Don't count them out of the Big Ten race or the College Football Championship.
The same is true of Nebraska, which visits Ohio State next weekend. The first College Football Playoff poll will be announced on Tuesday, and the Cornhuskers should be part of the top 10. In the first two years of the CFP poll, teams that have been ranked 15th and 16th have played their way into the national semifinals.
Power conference champions get a shot, and that goal remains for Nebraska. The Cornhuskers play a fly-around brand of defense, and quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. brings the rare quality of four years of starting experience.
The seven victories to start the season were most since the 2001 team played for the BCS National Championship. It's folly to compare teams, but it's safe to say Nebraska has an opportunity to have a better record than any team since then.
The perception has already started to change.
