Wisconsin Football Not Impressing Pollsters

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 09: Michael Deiter (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 09: Michael Deiter (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /
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The week three AP Poll and Coaches Poll have some mildly disappointing news from the pollsters.   Wisconsin slips slightly in both national rankings.

The next edition of the AP and Coaches college football polls are out.  The pollsters don’t have great news for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Bucky slipped down a spot in each ranking as the lackluster victory of Florida Atlantic on Saturday failed to impress evidently.

Wisconsin is currently 10th in the AP Poll, 49 points ahead of Florida State in 11th.   It appears the AP electors were a little unsure of the 8th to 10th spots.

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Wisconsin is only 10 ranking points  behind 8th place The Ohio State.  The Buckeyes are a single point ahead of 9th place Oklahoma State.  The Ohio State fell six spots in the AP Poll after being humbled by Oklahoma in Columbus on Saturday night.

A similar dynamic is at a play in the Coaches Poll.  Just 43 total ranking points separate 9th place The Ohio State from 12th placed Wisconsin.

The Badgers are single ranking point behind LSU and seven points behind Florida State in the Coaches Poll.

Meanwhile, the Big Ten continues to place high in both polls thanks to the Big Ten East division.

  • Penn State: AP Poll (5th), Coaches Poll (5th)
  • Michigan: AP Poll (7th), Coaches Poll (7th)
  • The Ohio State: AP Poll (8th), Coaches Poll (9th)
  • Wisconsin: AP Poll (10th), Coaches Poll (12th)

Yet, no Big Ten team is in either ranking behind Wisconsin.  Minnesota didn’t even garner “also receiving votes” in the AP Poll.  Iowa only got a few “also receiving votes” in both polls.

Thus, Michigan remains the only currently ranked opponent on Wisconsin’s schedule.  As a result, Wisconsin doesn’t have an opportunity to impress pollsters with a big win over a ranked opponent until some other conference teams climb the rankings.

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Therefore, it’s not a surprise to see the Badgers slip a spot as other ranked foes log resume wins. Wisconsin’s somewhat choppy wins as the heavy favorite fails to impress pollsters.  This weekend at BYU may be a chance to change the narrative.