Where should Wisconsin Football be ranked in the first AP Poll?

The first AP Poll date has been announced. Where should we expect Wisconsin Football to be ranked?

There are a ton of polls out there. Until the College Football Playoff committee releases their poll later in the season, nothing matters more than the AP Poll. Where do you expect Wisconsin football to land?

The Badgers are unquestionably one of the best teams in the country. But when you’re ranked as high as Wisconsin is expected to be every slot matters. The difference between #5 and #8 could be huge when it’s time for the committee to take into consideration what Wisconsin has done to that point in the season. It could also go a long way in ensuring Wisconsin doesn’t drop too far if it suffers a loss.

It’s highly unlikely the Badgers are any higher than #4 in the first poll. Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson will hold those spots, in some order. Ohio State will be a popular choice to be #4, but this is where Wisconsin has an argument.

The case for Wisconsin to be ranked ahead of Ohio State starts with the returning starters on offense. If Alabama or Ohio State was returning an entire offensive line plus a Heisman contending running back they would be the focus of every sports talk radio and television show. Wisconsin deserves consideration for this spot but will suffer due to lack of brand power.

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Wisconsin will fight for the last spot in the top 5 against programs like Oklahoma and Washington. Sporting news updated their own preseason top 25 and slotted Wisconsin at #6 right behind the Sooners and ahead of the Huskies. Again, if a program like Oklahoma had the returning offensive talent that Wisconsin does, I find it hard to believe they’d be ranked only #6 in the preseason poll.

The good news is Wisconsin and Washington are fighting similar battles with lack of brand power against the top 5 teams who are all recognized as powerhouses. Wisconsin may be able to top them in the first poll. The season is long and anything can happen, but the Badgers may also be competing with Washington for a College Football Playoff spot at the end of the year. Any advantage the Badgers have over the Huskies is important.

I would rank the Badgers at #4 to open the season, but I think they will land as low as #7 behind Washington. Wisconsin being underrated (even in the top 10) is nothing new to Badger fans though.