The #2 Miami Hurricanes lost 24-14 to the unranked Pittsburgh Panthers on Friday afternoon. So what does the big upset mean for Badger football?
It was a black and bleak Friday for #2 Miami (10-1). The #2 Hurricanes fell in ugly fashion to unranked Pitt (5-7) on the road.
Just a few weeks ago, Miami were the darlings of college football after hammering Notre Dame. So what does the Hurricane loss mean for Badger football?
In the short term, this loss obviously means Wisconsin should move into the top four. After all, Miami entered the week #2 in the AP and Coaches Poll and the College Football Playoff.
Wisconsin Badgers Football
I don’t expect Paul Chryst to let Badger football to follow my lead and look past Minnesota. So I’m counting on Wisconsin to roll the Gophers for the 14th straight time.
Instead, the loss should drop Miami temporarily at least. Next week the Hurricanes will play defending national champion Clemson in the ACC title game.
If the Tigers outlast South Carolina this evening, the ACC winner should lay claim to the #4 CFP spot at least. That’s because the ACC will have a 1-loss champion.
However, things could go very interesting for Wisconsin if #24 South Carolina tops Clemson and especially if #6 Auburn (2 losses) beats #1 Alabama in the Iron Bowl. That chaos in the top three would clear the road for your Wisconsin Badgers to climb all the way up to #1.
Nonetheless, Wisconsin would probably still have to beat The Ohio State in the Big Ten title game to get into the CFP. Especially if the Buckeyes beat Michigan this weekend. There’s no way the CFP Committee would take Wisconsin over The Ohio State if the 2-loss Buckeyes hand Wisconsin its only loss.
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But for this week at least moving safely into the #4 of the CFP is where you want to be. This could help the Badger seeding too potentially avoiding Alabama in the semifinals.
Instead, Badger football could meet Heisman front runner Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma in the #2-#3 game. That would be a fantastic show with the Sooner offense and Badger defense squaring off.
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In sum, the Miami loss moves the Badgers into the top four. Completing the undefeated season with a Big Ten crown could boost Badger CFP position.