USA TODAY Sports bowl projections unchanged for Nebraska football

USA TODAY Sports released its week five college football bowl projections on Tuesday. Though last week saw many major wins and losses, some bowl projections remained the same, including Nebraska's seemingly inevitable date with North Carolina State in the Pinstripe Bowl.

The Huskers and the Wolfpack have been projected for the clash in the Bronx since the preseason. Nebraska finished 7-6 last year while NC State produced an 8-5 record. However, each team's start to this season has been very different.

The Huskers enter week five 4-0, following a 31-13 win at Michigan State. Nebraska didn't produce a perfect victory over the Spartans, but it helped them earn their best start since 2016. This only raises expectations for the Huskers, especially with-it being Matt Rhule's fourth year as head coach.

NC State, meanwhile, got back to .500 after surviving a 41-31 battle with Appalachian State. The Wolfpack held a 28-7 lead over the Mountaineers before halftime but then allowed 24 points in the next 22 minutes. Though NC State pulled away in the fourth, scoring 10 unanswered, the comeback was immense.

Appalachian State managed to get a field goal to end the first half, going from its own 25 to the Wolfpack's 30 in under 40 seconds. Then, after scoring a touchdown on the opening drive of the third, the Mountaineers caught fire early in the fourth. An interception and an onside kick recovery led to two touchdowns and a 31-31 tie.

Now NC State is entering ACC play and will face some stiff competition, including Louisville, Wake Forest, Duke and North Carolina. Nebraska's road isn't easy either, however, with Indiana, Ohio State, Oregon and Iowa. Even Illinois and Washington provide a challenge for the Huskers.

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This article originally appeared on Cornhuskers Wire: USA TODAY Sports bowl projections unchanged for Nebraska football