There are only four true college bowl games, Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl and the Sugar Bowl. All the rest of them are "Participation Bowls". Much like the "Participation Trophies" given out in little league sports. Why would you get excited about that.
The NFL has a pre season and nebraska should look at it like that. Get the players ready for the season. Conference play. Its a good way to build depth and get experience. They play toigh enough teams in the Big10 not to have to play them outside of the Conference.
Roy makes a valid point below. I also want to add that until the SEC goes to 9 conference games AND the selection committee starts putting more weight into the strength of schedule, we should keep scheduling cupcakes for non-conference games.