With a 5-7 record, Nebraska was an unusual selection as UCLA's opponent in the Foster Farms Bowl. Typically, teams with losing records are not eligible for the postseason.
But with a record 40 bowl games to fill, there were not enough eligible teams.
The uncertainty led to creativity. Before Nebraska became available, the Foster Farms Bowl developed contingency plans. For a time, organizers talked with the Pac-12 about a matchup of conference teams, according to Gary Cavalli, the bowl's executive director.
"We looked very hard at the possibility of trying to put UCLA against Washington, because they hadn't played each other this year," Cavalli said.