Badger of Honor
Fansided

Wisconsin Football drops in latest Big Ten power rankings

By Tanner Nestle

MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 15: Squally Canada #22 of the BYU Cougars dives into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. BYU won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 15: Squally Canada #22 of the BYU Cougars dives into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. BYU won 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin football running back Jonathan Taylor
MADISON, WI – SEPTEMBER 08: Jonathan Taylor #23 of the Wisconsin Badgers rushes for a touchdown during the first half against the New Mexico Lobos at Camp Randall Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Wisconsin football has fallen in our latest Big Ten power rankings after week three.

After the Wisconsin football team lost to BYU last weekend it was obvious what was going to happen. A steep drop in the polls, lots of ridicule online, and a slide in Badger of Honor’s power rankings.

Last week Wisconsin was in second place behind Ohio State. It was as good of a spot as the Badgers could realistically have hoped to be in given Ohio State’s dominating performances from early in the season.

But Wisconsin wasn’t entirely deserving of that number two spot. A combination of weak showings from other Big Ten teams and benefit of the doubt is what kept the Badgers where they were. Now things have changed.

A loss to BYU isn’t going to kill Wisconsin’s season. I think BYU is going to show it’s a good football team as the season progresses and as long as Wisconsin doesn’t put up another stinker the Badgers will be fine in the eyes of the college football world.

light. Related Story. Wisconsin's season goals are still obtainable

The really disappointing thing about the BYU loss is Wisconsin could have easily won had it played a better game. Wisconsin could have dominated Western Kentucky and New Mexico had it played more precise against either of them too. It’s not a matter of talent with the Badgers, it’s a matter of playing a complete game. At some point that will turn into a talent issue, but I’m remaining optimistic.

The Big Ten as a whole continues to struggle to live up to preseason expectations. Nebraska lost at home last weekend to Troy and Northwestern lost at home to Akron. Purdue played a tougher opponent, Missouri, but still lost that matchup.

It’s getting difficult to determine just who the best five teams in the conference are because there might not be five good teams. Here’s who I have after week three of play.