In the Associated Press Poll, the Wisconsin Badgers drop one spot to No. 12.
The latest Associated Press Poll has dropped the Wisconsin Badgers football team one spot to No. 12 in the rankings. This drop, while relatively small in the context of the overall standings, carries significant implications for the team’s season moving forward. Ranked as high as No. 9 just a few weeks ago, the Badgers now find themselves in a position where every game becomes increasingly critical as they aim to finish the regular season on a strong note and set themselves up for a favorable bowl game or playoff bid.
In this article, we’ll break down the factors that contributed to the Badgers’ drop, what it means for the team’s chances of competing for a College Football Playoff berth, and how they can recover from this setback. Additionally, we’ll take a look at the broader context of the Big Ten and national college football landscape and assess how Wisconsin fits into these conversations as the season progresses.
Why the Badgers Dropped One Spot
While falling one spot in the rankings may not seem like a major setback, it signals a few important things about the state of the Badgers’ season. The poll is not just a reflection of wins and losses but also the broader narrative that surrounds a team—how they perform against ranked opponents, the strength of their schedule, and how they look in relation to other teams around the country.
The most obvious reason for the drop in rankings is Wisconsin’s recent performance. Over the past few games, the Badgers have had a series of close contests with strong competition, with some not-so-impressive victories against teams that were expected to be easier matchups. This includes a narrow win over a lower-ranked opponent or a somewhat lackluster performance in an expected blowout. In college football, where perception can weigh just as heavily as results, these underwhelming performances can cause a team to slip down the rankings, even if they remain undefeated.
Another factor is the competition around them. College football is a deep and talented sport, and one or two close calls are enough to move a team like Wisconsin down the rankings, especially with so many top-tier programs rising up with dominating performances. The rise of teams like Michigan, Ohio State, and Georgia, all of which have shown elite-level play, means that any small slip-up from Wisconsin can push them down the rankings as other teams move up.
Despite these setbacks, the Badgers remain in a relatively strong position at No. 12, but it does signal that they need to perform at a higher level moving forward to avoid falling out of the top 15 and diminishing their chances of a playoff berth. As we will explore next, this drop also has implications for their standing in the Big Ten race and national playoff picture.
The Big Ten Race and Wisconsin’s Standing
At this point in the season, the Big Ten Conference is highly competitive, with several teams vying for supremacy. Wisconsin, while still highly ranked, has to contend with the powerhouse programs in the conference, including Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. These programs are all ranked above Wisconsin in the AP Poll, and the Badgers will need to perform well against these teams in upcoming games if they hope to regain their momentum and potentially challenge for a Big Ten Championship.
For Wisconsin to stay in the conversation for a Big Ten title, they need to have a solid finish to the regular season. While they may have dropped to No. 12 in the AP Poll, their ranking still places them within reach of a New Year’s Six bowl and a potential playoff berth if they can win out. However, the window for mistakes is closing. With Ohio State and Michigan both looking like playoff contenders, Wisconsin cannot afford another slip-up if they hope to challenge for the conference title.
One key factor is that Wisconsin is in the Big Ten West, a division that has been historically weaker than the East. While they are typically the frontrunner to win the division, they still have to face several tough teams within their own division, including Iowa and Minnesota. These matchups could determine whether the Badgers stay on track to face the top teams from the East in the Big Ten Championship Game.
The Playoff Picture and Wisconsin’s Path to a New Year’s Six Bowl
The College Football Playoff (CFP) picture is more complicated than ever, and Wisconsin’s drop to No. 12 in the AP Poll may have a significant impact on their chances of making it into the playoff conversation. As things stand, the top four teams in the AP Poll are in a commanding position, with teams like Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, and Florida State all likely to maintain strong standing as the season progresses.
To make a playoff appearance, Wisconsin needs to do several things:
- Win Out: At this point in the season, it’s imperative that the Badgers win every game on their remaining schedule. Each loss could send them further down the rankings, and the window for a playoff bid would rapidly close. They’ll need to take care of business against both divisional opponents and any potential crossover games against teams from the Big Ten East.
- Dominate the Big Ten West: While the Big Ten East has the dominant teams, Wisconsin needs to assert themselves as the undisputed leader in the Big Ten West. If they can convincingly win out in the division, it would give them a strong resume heading into the Big Ten Championship Game, where they would need to play either Ohio State or Michigan for a spot in the playoff.
- Impressive Wins: In college football, it’s not just about winning—it’s about how you win. Wisconsin will need to put together impressive performances in their games, particularly in big matchups against ranked opponents. If they can dominate their remaining games, including potential matchups in the Big Ten Championship, the selection committee may still take them seriously as a playoff contender.
- Hope for Chaos: With a crowded field of teams at the top, Wisconsin may also benefit from some chaos around them. Upsets to top-ranked teams could open a door for Wisconsin to sneak into the playoff picture, but they would need to make sure they are prepared to capitalize on any opportunity that presents itself.
Even if Wisconsin ultimately doesn’t make the College Football Playoff, they are still well-positioned for a New Year’s Six bowl. A strong finish to the season would likely earn them a spot in one of the premier bowl games, and given their long-standing reputation, the Badgers are likely to face an exciting opponent that will test their mettle in the postseason.
What Wisconsin Needs to Improve Going Forward
While the Badgers remain a highly ranked team, the reality is that they have areas to improve to maintain their position and regain the lost ground in the rankings. As mentioned earlier, several close victories and inconsistent performances have contributed to their drop, and they’ll need to sharpen their play on both sides of the ball moving forward.
Offensively, Wisconsin has shown flashes of brilliance, but they will need to be more consistent to compete with the top-tier teams in the Big Ten. The quarterback play will be key—whether it’s Tanner Mordecai or another signal-caller, the Badgers need efficient, mistake-free performances from the quarterback position. They also need to establish a more dynamic passing game, as their strong running back core led by Braelen Allen and Ches Malusi is not enough to carry them against the most elite defenses. Developing a balanced offense that can threaten both in the air and on the ground will be crucial.
Defensively, Wisconsin remains one of the best in the Big Ten, but they have to improve in certain areas to ensure they can hang with the best teams in the nation. The secondary, in particular, needs to improve their coverage against high-powered offenses, especially in the Big Ten. Creating turnovers and consistently getting to the quarterback will be crucial as they look to disrupt the rhythm of the offenses they face.
