Wisconsin Football: Badgers Downgraded in College Football Playoff
Wisconsin Badger football didn’t get the ranking it likely wanted but will have plenty of opportunities to impress the committee in the next five weeks
Wisconsin football is still undefeated but that spotless record evidently carried little weight with the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee. The Badgers are #4 nationally but placed at #9 in the inaugural CFP rankings for the 2017 season.
Badger fans can be simultaneously unsurprised and disappointed in the first ranking. But lets be clear, Wisconsin has everything to play for to earn a spot in the final four.
While there were definitely some interesting decisions by the CFP committee, Wisconsin’s placement wasn’t a big upset.
Wisconsin Badgers Football
After all, the Badgers continues to be anchored by its soft schedule in the minds of many pollsters and evaluators. Wisconsin and Miami (aka “The U”) are clumped together at #9 and #10.
As you know, both schools are undefeated but that didn’t stop the CFP from dropping them below six one-loss teams. It’s clear from the initial rankings the Canes and Badgers have the same route to the CFP.
Namely, not losing at all. If Bucky runs the table they’re in the playoff. It’s very simple. An undefeated champion of a Power 5 is always going to get a CFP spot. However, the Badgers don’t appear to have any margin for error.
Losing once, even if it’s to The Ohio State in the Big Ten title game is likely fatal for CFP purposes. The committee won’t take a one-loss Wisconsin over other one-loss teams like they did with The Ohio State last year. And how did that work out Buckeye fans?
Wisconsin has the worst disparity between AP ranking and CFP rankings. The Badgers are -5 compared to the two spots. No other team has such a negative gap.
Next: Sorry Not Sorry About National Ranking
Evidently wins alone aren’t enough so the Badgers better start playing better offensively and posting some lopsided results. Or you know, just keep winning.