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Nebraska and Michigan trying to stay in Big Ten race, matchup of teams with 6-2 overall marks

Associated Press
Published | Updated

In this image from Nov. 2, 2013, a scrum of Nebraska and Northwestern players follow a tipped ball after Nebraska wide receiver Quincy Enunwa (18), Northwestern center back Dwight White (2), safety Traveon Henry (10), and safety Ibraheim Campbell (24), vied for a ball thrown by Nebraska quarterback Ron Kellogg III (12) with no time on the clock, in an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb.The ball was subsequently caught by Nebraska wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp, right, for a touchdown, giving Nebraska a 27-24 win. If Nebraska makes it back to the Big Ten championship game, the Cornhuskers might look at Westerkamp's tipped-ball touchdown on the last play against Northwestern as the one that saved their season and maybe even Bo Pelini's job. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) (The Associated Press)

In this file image from Nov. 2, 2013, Nebraska wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp, second right, catches a tipped touchdown pass thrown by quarterback Ron Kellogg III, with no time left on the clock, for a 27-24 win in an NCAA college football game against Northwestern, in Lincoln, Neb. If Nebraska makes it back to the Big Ten championship game, the Cornhuskers might look at Westerkamp's tipped-ball touchdown on the last play against Northwestern as the one that saved their season and maybe even Bo Pelini's job. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik) (The Associated Press)

Nebraska has kept itself in the Big Ten title chase.

Barely.

Ron Kellogg III's 49-yard desperation heave was caught off a tip by Jordan Westerkamp, lifting the Cornhuskers to a 27-24 win over Northwestern on the last play of last week's game.

Nebraska's fortunate break kept its chances alive of advancing to the championship game next month if it beats Michigan on Saturday at the Big House and defeats Legends Division-leading Michigan State at home next week.

The Wolverines, meanwhile, are hoping to bounce back from a humiliating loss to rival Michigan State that forced them to win the rest of their games and get some help to have a shot at winning their first Big Ten title since 2004.