Nov. 28, 2005
BCS Rankings (Nov. 28)
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EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern climbed three spots in Monday's latest Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Top-25 ranking to No. 22. The Wildcats, who concluded their regular season Nov. 19 with a win over Illinois, are one of five Big Ten teams ranked in the top-25.
NU was ranked as high as No. 21 in the Oct. 24 BCS poll.
Northwestern, which is not ranked in the top 25 of the three "human" polls, has an average computer ranking of No. 19.
Northwestern won five of its final seven games to finish 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten (third-place tie with Wisconsin, Michigan and Iowa). NU also won six or more games for a third consecutive year -- a program first since 1931.
This Sunday, Dec. 4, the Wildcats will learn their bowl destination once the BCS announces it eight selections.
Big Ten co-champion Penn State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten) leads the way for the conference at No. 3 overall, just one spot shy of earning a top-two ranking and a berth in the Rose Bowl, the BCS national championship game. Fellow co-champion Ohio State (9-2, 7-1) also appears near the top at sixth overall, followed by No. 18 Wisconsin (9-3, 5-3) and No. 19 Michigan (7-4, 5-3).
The final BCS ranking will be announced this Sunday, Dec. 4. ESPN will carry the bowl selection show at 4 p.m. CT.