After a brief two-week hiatus, Northwestern returned this evening to the latest Bowl Championship Series rankings, checking in at No. 22.

The No. 22 ranking is the team’s highest position in the BCS poll since the end of the 2008 season, when they received the same ranking heading into bowl season.

NU (9-3, 5-3 Big Ten) was also ranked No. 22 in the Associated Press and No. 20 in the USA Today Coaches’ polls on Sunday. Both are season highs for the Cats, who romped rival Illinois 50-14 on Saturday.

The AP poll does not count toward the BCS rankings. Instead, the coaches’ poll, Harris Interactive Poll and an average of six computer rankings all comprise one-third of the BCS formula. NU is No. 21 in the Harris Poll and also had an average computer rating of No. 21, with a high of No. 19 from the Anderson & Hester poll.

The Big Ten is well represented in all the polls: Four schools are in the AP poll and three are in the coaches’ poll and BCS rankings. Ohio State leads the group at No. 4 in the AP rankings with a perfect 12-0 record, but due to postseason sanctions they are not eligible for the coaches’ poll or BCS rankings. Both Nebraska and Michigan are ahead of the Cats in the BCS standings, checking in at No. 12 and No. 19 respectively.

This story has been updated to reflect the latest BCS standings.

— Josh Walfish