What the Wisconsin Badgers need to make the Playoffs

The Wisconsin Badgers are currently on the outside looking in to get into the College Football Playoff. They will need to either have some things fall their way or try to count on themselves to get a key win.

The Badgers are currently sixth in the first playoff ranking behind the Alabama Crimson Tide, Ohio State Buckeyes, Clemson Tigers, Washington Huskies, and Michigan Wolverines. Some experts and general public also believe the Penn State Nittany Lions have a better chance than the Badgers to get in with a win for each respective team. The Playoff Committee focuses on four main criteria points which are conference championships won, strength of schedule, head to head, and game comparisons. With these points, the Badgers could make a case to be in the top four already. By beating Penn State they would have two of the four needed already which would include the conference championship and strength of schedule, which is in top ten. They only lose out in head to head with Michigan and Ohio State, but both of those games were lost by only a touchdown and could have went either way if a few plays had been executed better by the Badgers. They could get an edge over some teams with game comparisons as well. Michigan crushed Colorado whereas Wisconsin barely lost to Michigan. Wisconsin beat Iowa who Michigan lost to although losing to Michigan head to head still hurts more than beating Iowa helps for Wisconsin. Same can be said if Wisconsin beats Penn State for how it would affect them and Ohio State. Wisconsin has played six teams while they were ranked within the top ten this year and only lost two of them.That list doesn’t include currently ranked Iowa. With a defense like the Badgers have and the wins they have totaled, Wisconsin has a case to be in the top four. With the current conference championship games this weekend, what needs to happen to help improve the Badgers chances of making the playoffs the most?

Pac-12 Championship: #4 Washington Huskies vs #8 Colorado Buffaloes

Obviously the Badgers should be rooting for Colorado. Michigan smoked Colorado which helps the Badgers if it comes down to comparing Colorado and Wisconsin for final spot. Washington winning gives them a positive in one of their more weaker areas which is strength of schedule. Plus they are already in the top four so they kind of control their destiny. The best scenario for the Badgers is if Colorado wins a close game. A blowout in Washington’s favor almost cements their spot in the final four and a blowout for Colorado might open up a discussion on if they deserve to be in.

Unofficial Big 12 Championship: #9 Oklahoma Sooners vs #10 Oklahoma State Cowboys

Both these teams may be out of reach for the playoffs already. A win for the lower ranked Cowboys would still probably be more beneficial for Wisconsin although. The Sooners have the brand name, a coach with experience and a hot streak coming into this game. Those are all ingredients to jump some teams and make it into the finals. Oklahoma State has a bad loss against the Central Michigan Chippewas, although many can contest that loss as the refs gave the Chippewas a free play which won them the game. The Sooners lost to Ohio State bad who the Badgers took to overtime so it would be tough for Oklahoma to jump the Badgers. Overall, this game shouldn’t affect the Badgers too much, but rooting for the Cowboys may be the best thing for the Badgers.

SEC Championship: #1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs #15 Florida Gators

This is another game that shouldn’t affect the Badgers too much. Alabama is as close to a lock as you get to the playoffs. Florida would have to embarrass them to knock Alabama out. Should the Badgers still root for Florida? I think so as a loss for Alabama could knock them down to a 2 or 3 seed in the playoff allowing the Badgers to avoid the Crimson Tide if the Badgers make it in. I don’t think any teams wants to play a pissed off Nick Saban after a loss.

ACC Championship: #3 Clemson Tigers vs #23 Virginia Tech Hokies

This one is as easy as it gets for who the Badgers should root for. Thye better hope the Hokies blow out the Tigers. A loss should drop Clemson low enough anyways, but you might as well hope for a blowout to make it a convincing drop. The Badgers don’t have a comparable opponent so they will need a conference championship and their strength of schedule to pass the Tigers. A loss against the Hokies would help the Badgers cause more than any other game this besides the B1G Championship.

Big Ten Championship: #6 Wisconsin Badgers vs #7 Penn State Nittany Lions

What do the Badgers need to do in this game to help their odds? They need to win convincingly. One of the teams the Badgers are competing against is the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan crushed Penn State and Wisconsin needs to do the same to give them an edge over the Wolverines or at least hold even. A win gives Wisconsin four wins against teams ranked in the top ten when they played, a conference championship, and a drivers seat to the college football championship.

Next: The Badgers Dominant Defense

The Wisconsin Badgers will need a lot of things to fall their way, but they may have a chance by the time their game starts to control their own destiny. A loss for Washington or Clemson is what Wisconsin needs the most. Wisconsin may be #6 right now, but with a win they probably are sitting at #5 over Michigan. A loss to either of the teams listed above should let them hop that team and have them contending for a title.