![The Huskers are hoping a strong finish will result in a preseason top 25 ranking in 2019. - [Sporting News / YouTube screencap]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2018/11/18/660x290/b_502x220x82/the-huskers-are-hoping-a-strong-finish-will-result-in-a-preseason-top-25-ranking-in-2019-image-via-sporting-newsyoutube_2146497.jpg "The Huskers are hoping a strong finish will result in a preseason top 25 ranking in 2019. - [Sporting News / YouTube screencap]")
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are on some kind of roll. After starting the season 0-6, they have a chance to finish the second half of the 2018 season on a 5-1 run, that is if they can beat the Iowa Hawkeyes on November 23. With Adrian Martinez leading a young offense, and the defense showing weekly improvements, the Cornhuskers should be a lot stronger in 2019. Preseason top 25 strong? Definitely.
Adrian Martinez
He will be a year older, a year wiser, and with a year of experience under his belt, Big Ten defenses will have a lot of issues slowing down the future sophomore sensation. He’s a leader and brings this team a ton of potential in 2019.
Strong finish
A win over the Hawkeyes will complete a second half record of 5-1 for the Huskers and a possible bowl berth. If that happens, then a top 25 seeding will become a very realistic possibility.
Big Ten improving
The conference is getting stronger - which only helps the Huskers' case. Michigan and Ohio State are top ten teams, while Penn State and Wisconsin are always strong. Add to that, Purdue, Northwestern, and the Huskers are improving quickly, and the Big Ten is a gaining ground as one of the toughest conferences in the land.
History on their side
The preseason rankings are always based on how a team played and finished the previous season. That alone should get the Huskers to at least No. 25. Just look at preseason ranks for this season - Wisconsin was No. 4, Penn State No. 10, and Michigan State, a team the Huskers beat, was No. 11. None of them are in the top 25, as the final weekend of play arrives on November 23.
Potential and excitement
Everyone pretty much knows the top five to 10 teams in the country usually get a free pass the following season in the first edition of the rankings. However, I feel the voters love to put in a few teams on the rise, and who better than the Huskers? If they had defeated Ohio State, this would be a sealed deal. It still may be, if they defeat the Hawkeyes on Friday.
