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Wisconsin finally gets the recognition it deserves, Ohio State could cause chaos
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Finally, Wisconsin Badger fans can rejoice.
On Tuesday night during ESPN’s College Football Playoff: Top 25 show, Wisconsin finally got into the top-4, as the Badgers were ranked No. 4.
“That is right answer,” said analyst Jesse Palmer.
Wisconsin finished the season undefeated. However, the Badgers still have one more game left before the last College Football Playoff poll is released on Sunday, as they take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the B1G Championship.
Now, currently, Ohio State is favored over Wisconsin according to Vegas. And it’s not surprising that a lot of insiders believe the Buckeyes should win the B1G Championship. The scarlet and gray are peaking at the right time. They just blew out their rival Michigan on the road and everyone around the nation have devalued Wisconsin’s resume from the beginning. However, if the Badgers defeat the Buckeyes on Saturday, they have to be guaranteed a playoff spot.
“You beat Ohio State, [Wisconsin is] in the playoffs,” said analyst McFarland. “[Wisconsin has] everything you want right now.”
While Wisconsin rightful deserved its top-4 ranking, everyone loves to talk about possibilities. So instead of talking primarily about the Badgers, a lot of the talk was about Ohio State and its slim, but still alive chances to make the playoffs.
College Football Playoff committee chairman Kirby Hocutt said there is “very little separation” in the committee’s eyes between No. 5 Alabama, No. 6 Georgia, No. 7 Miami and No. 8 Ohio State.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) November 29, 2017
It really feels like the Buckeyes need a 2014 like-performance this Saturday against the Badgers, when they defeated Wisconsin 59-0 in the B1G Championship. The reason why it feels that way when talking about Ohio State’s playoff chances is because of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Alabama is currently at No. 5 after a 12 point loss week to the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl. So, there was talk on the reaction show on whether or not the Buckeyes would be deserving to get in over the Tide if they were to beat the Badgers. While some of the analysts thought it could happen, most of them thought the committee values Alabama over Ohio State.
“They still view Alabama as the better team,” said analyst Booger McFarland.
Plus, analyst Rece Davis made a great argument against the Buckeyes resume because of their 55-24 loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes.
“Ohio State’s [loss] is worst,” Davis said.
Ohio State has its work cut out for them, but it’s really hard to make a case for them with that Iowa loss looming large on their résumé.
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) November 29, 2017
Now, while Alabama does create a massive road block to the B1G’s playoff chances if Ohio State was to win the conference championship, the Oklahoma Sooners could too.
Oklahoma currently sits at No. 3 and takes on the TCU Horned Frogs this Saturday in the Big 12 Championship. If the Sooners were to lose, that would undoubtedly create another hurdle for the Buckeyes to jump if they were to win the B1G Championship. So basically, Ohio State faithful should also be Oklahoma supporters this week.
“Ohio State wants Oklahoma to win,” said analyst Joey Galloway
Yes, it’s fun to take about what-if scenarios, but as of right now, the B1G has a team in the playoffs with Wisconsin.
One thing is for sure, if the Badgers win out they are. But, if Ohio State does in fact beat Wisconsin, it would cause massive chaos.
“You now have the debate on who should go in,” said analyst Kirk Herbstreit