Badger of Honor
Fansided

Wisconsin Football: How the Badgers can make the Playoffs

By Trevor Jossart

Oct 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook (12) gets set to run a play against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Alex Hornibrook (12) gets set to run a play against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 8
Next

3. Michigan Wolverines

  • Record: 9-1
  • Remaning schedule: vs. Indiana, at No. 2 Ohio State

Believe it or not, Michigan winning their final game(s) would not be the worst thing for Wisconsin. Certainly if the Hoosiers can pull off the upset in Ann Arbor that would be great, but this conversation is strictly talking about the Ohio State matchup.

While I am sure Badgers fans might be quick to saying they would rather face Penn State in the Big Ten Championship, think about this for a second:

The biggest predicament the CFP committee faces is whether or not they will take a two-loss conference champion over a one-loss team that did not make the conference championship game. If Michigan goes into Columbus and wins, then Ohio State is still out of the conference championship game AND they have two losses, so it becomes a moot point.

With this scenario, the Badgers are now 10-2, already ranked above a 10-2 Penn State team and with a conference championship victory would likely be picked over 10-2 Ohio State and 10-2 Michigan (pending they defeat the Wolverines in Indy).

The Badgers held the Wolverines to their second lowest point total of the season in a 14-7 road loss to Michigan back in early October.