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Big weekend for Big Red: Nebraska’s chance to rise

By WTOP Staff

RALPH D. RUSSO
AP College Football Writer

In the most interesting and important Saturday of the college football season so far, no team faces a more crucial test than Nebraska.

The 19th-ranked Cornhuskers visit No. 10 Michigan State on Saturday with a chance to leap into national title contention. It’s one of six games involving 12 ranked teams that will help sort out the playoff race.

There was a time that national title contention was a given for Nebraska. It’s been a while.

The Cornhuskers (5-0) haven’t started 6-0 since 2001, which was also the last time Nebraska played for the national championship. Since then the Huskers have rarely been in the top 10 once fall rolls around.

The last time Nebraska was 5-0 was 2010. Those Huskers were ranked fifth heading into a game at home against Texas. The Longhorns won 20-13. Nebraska hasn’t been ranked better than eighth since then, and no better than ninth after September. The Huskers haven’t won a conference title since 1999 in the Big 12.

All that at least partially explains the skepticism about these Huskers. That and a way-too-close-for-comfort victory at home against McNeese State in September.

A victory against Michigan State would go a long way toward changing the perception of Nebraska as a program stuck in a rut — better than most but no longer capable of being elite. It also sets up the Huskers for a strong run into November. Nebraska’s next three games: at Northwestern, Rutgers and Purdue.

And a big day by Huskers star Ameer Abdullah against the Spartans’ usually stingy defense would give the running back’s Heisman Trophy chances boost.

If Nebraska losses to Michigan State? Sure, the Huskers could bounce back and still win the Big Ten, maybe even make the college football playoff if everything lined up perfectly. Realistically, though, this is Nebraska’s chance to get back on the big stage. A chance for Nebraska to look like Nebraska again.

The picks:

MARQUEE MATCHUPS

No. 3 Alabama (minus 6) at No. 11 Mississippi

Rebels fans hoping ESPN’s “College GameDay” in the Grove isn’t the highlight of the day in Oxford. Tide has won 10 straight in series … ALABAMA 31-21.

No. 15 LSU (plus 8) at No. 5 Auburn

Tigers to start freshman QB Brandon Harris, who directed seven touchdown drives last week in relief of Anthony Jennings. Of course, that was against New Mexico State … AUBURN 35-24.

No. 6 Texas A&M (plus 1 1/2) at No. 12 Mississippi State

SEC rules prohibit Bulldogs fans from clanging their beloved cowbells in Davis Wade Stadium for conference games. Safe bet there will be a few rule-breakers Saturday … MISSISSIPPI STATE 38-31.

No. 14 Stanford (minus 2) at No. 9 Notre Dame

The red zone has been a dead zone for Cardinal … NOTRE DAME 21-17.

No. 4 Oklahoma (minus 5) at No. 25 TCU

Horned Frogs’ big chance: Sooners this week; Baylor next … OKLAHOMA 28-20.

UPSET SPECIAL

No. 19 Nebraska (plus 7 1/2) at No. 10 Michigan State

#FearAmeer: Abdullah ran for 123 yards and 5.6 per carry in last season’s 41-28 loss to Spartans … NEBRASKA 28-24.

THURSDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

Arizona (plus 23) at No. 2 Oregon

Wildcats upset Ducks in Tucson last year, a startling 42-16 beat down. Payback time for Ducks … OREGON 42-16.

BEEHIVE STATE

Utah State (plus 21) at No. 18 BYU

Aggies QB Chuckie Keeton’s status is uncertain with knee injury, though a Cougars player told reporters he heard the Utah State star is planning to redshirt. That’s weird … BYU 38-14.

CONFERENCE CALLS

Wake Forest (plus 39) at No. 1 Florida State

After two straight comeback victories, Seminoles should be able to rest some starters in the fourth quarter … FLORIDA STATE 56-10.

Vanderbilt (plus 33 1/2) at No. 13 Georgia

RB Todd Gurley giving Bulldogs fans Herschel Walker flashbacks and opponents headaches … GEORGIA 45-10.

Arizona State (plus 11 1/2) at No. 16 Southern California

Likely another game without QB Taylor Kelly for Sun Devils … USC 31-21.

No. 17 Wisconsin (minus 8) at Northwestern

Badgers have won last two meetings, 109-29, but Wildcats’ run defense has been feisty (16th in nation in yards per carry allowed at 2.9) … WISCONSIN 28-21.

No. 20 Ohio State (minus 7 1/2) at Maryland

First Big Ten home game for Terps, who can challenge the Buckeyes’ shaky pass defense. Maryland coach Randy Edsall says QB C.J. Brown (left wrist) will be a game-time decision … With Brown, MARYLAND 35-31; without Brown, OHIO STATE 35-21.

Iowa State (plus 17 1/2) at No. 21 Oklahoma State

Cowboys averaging 42 points against Cyclones in last five meetings … OKLAHOMA STATE 42-20.

SMU (plus 40) at No. 22 East Carolina

Winless Mustangs have been outscored 202-12. Only the kindness of Pirates coach Ruffin McNeill will keep ECU from scoring 80 … EAST CAROLINA 56-7.

Texas Tech (plus 12 1/2) at No. 23 Kansas State

Red Raiders QB Davis Webb (left shoulder) might not play … KANSAS STATE 34-14.

BEST BET

No. 7 Baylor (minus 16 1/2) at Texas

It’ll get better for Longhorns under coach Charlie Strong — but first … BAYLOR 48-14.

UNRANKED BUT NOT UNINTERESTING

Michigan (plus 3) at Rutgers

Michigan is an underdog at Rutgers. Pretty much says all that needs to be said … MICHIGAN 23-21.

Florida (plus 2 1/2) at Tennessee

Will Muschamp, welcome to Brady Hoke’s world (hopefully without the mishandled injury) … TENNESSEE 28-21.

Miami (minus 1 1/2) at Georgia Tech

Did you know? Yellow Jackets are undefeated. … MIAMI 31-28.

____

Last week: Record straight: 13-2; vs. points 6-8-1.

Season: Record straight: 72-18; vs. points 39-50-2.

Best bet: 1-4.

Upset special: 3-3.

___

Follow Ralph D. Russo at www.Twitter.com/ralphDrussoAP

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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