Wisconsin Was Two Quarters Away from Turning the CFB Playoff on its Head

The College Football Playoff bracket has been set, and Badger fans might notice a few familiar teams in the 12-team field. Wisconsin played one of the toughest schedules in the Big Ten this season, and now a team they nearly defeated has earned the number one overall seed.

The Big Ten claimed four spots in the playoff this year, and two of those teams have a pair of fourth quarter collapses by Wisconsin to thank. Both Oregon, the number one overall seed, and Penn State, the number six seed, were down at halftime to the Badgers before rallying for a comeback.

One one hand, it's encouraging that Wisconsin went toe-to-toe with two of the best teams in the country, and potentially the National Champion. On the other hand though, what's that called when you almost win? Oh yeah, losing. The Badgers lost both games on their way to an abysmal 5-7 record. But it's still fun to think what this playoff picture might have looked like had Wisconsin pulled off those upsets.

There weren't many moral victories to take from the Badgers' season this year, but being so close to beating two top-12 teams will have to be one of them. It won't make fans feel any better, but knowing that the team is closer to being great than the 5-7 record might indicate is a little reassuring.

The Badgers won't get any other favors with their 2025 schedule however, with three playoff teams on the docket in Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon -- not to mention Alabama and Michigan.