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With the Initial College Football Playoff Rankings Out, Where do the Badgers Project in the Bowl Discussion?
The Badgers claimed their sixth victory of the season this past Saturday in a thriller over Nebraska, and with that, Wisconsin Football has clinched a spot in a bowl game for the 15th straight season. At the beginning of the season there were many skeptics that believed this team would possibly be on the outside looking in at the end of the season, but the Badgers quickly put that narrative to rest. Clinching a bowl game now seems like a mere technicality, as the focus now turns to where they might land come December. Based on the season they have had, Wisconsin Football not only has it sights on just any bowl, but one of a very big magnitude.
While I would love to be able to tell you exactly where the Badgers will land in mid December, I do not have a crystal ball and even with that, it would be hard to tell based on the wacky season of college football we’ve endured so far this season.
With the dawn of the first college football rankings recently released, the Badgers sit at No.8. With such a high ranking, and the schedule they have endured so far this season it seems reasonable that the Badgers will be playing in a top tier bowl game at seasons end. Here are a few possible match ups the Badgers could endure and how it is possible to get there.
Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Outback Bowl VS. Arkansas Razorbacks
Of the possible postseason destinations, this one is certainly the least appealing. It feels as though Wisconsin Football has played in this bowl every other year, and ending up there would certainly be a bit of a let down after having such a high hope for a postseason game. The result seems unlikely, and would really only happen if the Badgers were to stumbled in one of their remaining regular season games. If the Badgers were to make the Big Ten Championship and fall, I still see them being in a New Years Six Bowl based on their resume. Beating three top ten teams goes a long way to the committee, so a third loss to a top team would not hurt them as significantly as a regular season loss would.
Nov 27, 2015; Toledo, OH, USA; Western Michigan Broncos head coach P.J. Fleck talks to players during the fourth quarter against the Toledo Rockets at Glass Bowl. Broncos win 35-30. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Cotton Bowl VS Western Michigan
The Cotton Bowl being a game of two at large teams has become one of the most intriguing bowl games during bowl season. Wisconsin could find themselves in this game against a Western Michigan if they win out in the regular season. Boise State was the other possible candidate, but with their recent loss to Wyoming it seems unlikely that the committee would put a one loss non-power conference team in a prestigious bowl with a loss. In this day and age, strength of schedule is highly valued. Western Michigan could jump into the conversation with an undefeated season, as they’ve been a powerhouse in the MAC of late. Head Coach PJ Fleck is one of the best young coaches in the game, and has turned WMU into respectable opponent and legit contender. A perfect season can get you into any discussion, so Western Michigan is a very possible match up for Wisconsin.
Oct 29, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass against the Virginia Cavaliers in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Orange Bowl VS Louisville
An Orange Bowl bid is another possible landing spot for the Badgers, and it would set up for a date with the Louisville Cardinals and Heisman Front Runner Lamar Jackson. With Clemson holding the lead over Louisville, it seems likely that the Cardinals will be on the outside looking in, but there is still a lot of football left to be played. Both Wisconsin and Louisville have their eyes set on the playoff, but as it stands now this could be a potential match up. Anything less than a Big Ten Championship Victory likely puts the Badgers in this position. Wisconsin Football has never played in the Orange Bowl, so a trip to South Florida against the likely Heisman winner carries a lot of intrigue. Wisconsin’s Defense against Lamar Jackson would be one of the most interesting possibilities of Bowl season, and would be a very good bowl for the Wisconsin Program.
Oct 22, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scores against Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
College Football Playoff VS Alabama
While a playoff destination will still require a fair bit of help, the Badgers are still very much in the conversation. While the Badgers are not currently in the playoff, that might actually bode well for them. Alabama, Clemson, Michigan, and Texas A&M sit in the current picture. Of the first rankings in previous years, five of the eight teams have not been there at seasons end, which spells good news for the Badgers. Chaos in front of them is likely for the Badgers, so the possibility of jumping in is still very possible. Obviously the Badgers need help, as they will have to win out AND win the Big Ten Championship to be in the playoff. The winner of the Big Ten is in the playoff, so the Badgers control some of their own destiny if they can somehow win the Big Ten West. A #4 spot is probably the most likely, but with so much shake up yet to come, it truly is still a toss up for the four playoff spots.
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