A Big Ten firing was anticipated Sunday, but Nebraska beat Michigan to an announcement.

Even with an overtime escape Friday at Iowa, athletic director Shawn Eichorst made the decision to fire Bo Pelini after seven seasons of either nine or 10 victories.

A number of people are wondering who could do better than Pelini’s 67-27 record, but consider that his teams were just 3-10 against ranked opponents since entering the Big Ten in 2011.

Nebraska lost 15 games in that span, giving up an average of 42.2 points per game in those defeats. That included three losses to Wisconsin -- now Nebraska’s division rival -- in which the Huskers allowed 59 points per game.

So, yes, someone could do better than that. That, along with Pelini’s surly disposition, is why there’s an opening.

The standard at Nebraska isn’t chasing Tom Osborne’s legacy; it’s finishing better than third in the Big Ten West.

Here are several candidates capable