Badgers Game 6: Boiler Down

[MikeIsGood]

Nothing has changed all year - at least from what we could reasonably project pre-season. Win out and we'll be in the playoff; lose once and we're out.

[trwi7]

Yeah, schedule isn't strong enough to overcome a loss. Undefeated with either two wins over Michigan, a win over Michigan and Ohio State or Michigan and Penn State gets us in.

[El Duderino]

Clemson only losing 3 spots would be very disappointing, even with their QB going down.

Thought the same thing. Any other top 5 team loses to an unranked team and they're a lock to drop at minimum 5 spots and probably more like 8. Oklahoma dropped what, 10 spots after losing to Iowa State, granted that was at home but I also think Iowa State is better than Syracuse.

Clemson did lose there QB in the 2nd quarter to a concussion which likely was some factor.

[Kerb Hohl]

Some random corrections from in-game from stuff I read yesterday:

-Taylor was apparently so distraught after the fumble they kept him out. Not sure if it's PR, but that's apparently why he wasn't back in.
-Davis went the wrong way on Horni's pick downfield. Horni still is what he is but I guess that makes me feel slightly better.
-Davis avoided major injury.

**** luck on Horni's screen pass but he probably should have just grounded it at the RB's feet.

[Kerb Hohl]

Also, I've long thought that we control our own destiny, polls don't matter, and need to be 13-0 to get into the playoffs.

That said, I wouldn't call the chances of 12-1 with a loss to Michigan or maybe @Indiana as impossible to get in. True, the committee may go ahead and pick more of a helmet school (and rightfully so) but some scenarios could present themselves.

We should probably cheer for Penn State to be the team we face since we would need OSU to lose another game or two.

But say the Badgers lose a close one @Indiana and go 11-1 with mostly big wins the rest of the way and beat PSU in the BTT.

Who gets in? Alabama is a 100% lock. Who do you take after that? Most of the other conference champs will have 2 losses. There's a chance that the Badgers, Big Ten champs with a win over undefeated Penn State, get the 4 seed instead of some "better" 2 or 3 loss teams.

[MickeyDavis]

If Alabama and Georgia reach the SEC championship undefeated and play a close game, both could make the playoffs.

[Kerb Hohl]

If Alabama and Georgia reach the SEC championship undefeated and play a close game, both could make the playoffs.

Yeah, I think it's unlikely that the Badgers get there with 1 but it's definitely possible. Give TCU and/or Oklahoma another loss, Clemson another loss or two, and USC another loss and we're talking. Georgia could stumble a few times.

If Georgia gets to the SEC title anywhere near undefeated, they're in for sure.

[MickeyDavis]

I don't think the B10 gets the same consideration if PSU and Bucky are both undefeated when they play the B10 title game.

All this playoff talk makes me nervous with so many games to go. It would sure be fun to get there though, even if it was one and done vs. Bama

[Kerb Hohl]

The season is going to end with a kick in the balls almost for sure. Either a choke vs. Maryland, MN, etc. or a "we almost got there" loss to Penn State, or a 40 point loss to Bama in the 1st round.

I don't think the Badgers get in at 12-1 if they lose to Penn State in the title game for the BT, but there may be consideration if the Badgers lose earlier, beat Penn State (or OSU), and there are a bunch of 2 or 3 loss teams behind them. The schedule is what it is, but it then comes down to a 2 or 3 loss USC getting in over a 1-loss Big Ten champ. Still not likely but not impossible.

[Mags FTW]

The season is going to end with a kick in the balls almost for sure. Either a choke vs. Maryland, MN, etc. or a "we almost got there" loss to Penn State, or a 40 point loss to Bama in the 1st round.

I wouldnt call a spanking by Bama a kick in the balls. Just making the playoff would be a huge step for this program.

[Kerb Hohl]

The season is going to end with a kick in the balls almost for sure. Either a choke vs. Maryland, MN, etc. or a "we almost got there" loss to Penn State, or a 40 point loss to Bama in the 1st round.

I wouldnt call a spanking by Bama a kick in the balls. Just making the playoff would be a huge step for this program.

I agree. Would love it, but it would still be a bit of a national embarrassment.

[El Duderino]

The season is going to end with a kick in the balls almost for sure. Either a choke vs. Maryland, MN, etc. or a "we almost got there" loss to Penn State, or a 40 point loss to Bama in the 1st round.

I think a healthy Clemson would also drill the Badgers in a playoff game.

It's just hard to tell how good this Wisconsin team is given how super weak the schedule has been and will continue to be outside of Michigan and even they have a major flaw in the passing game.

[Kerb Hohl]

The season is going to end with a kick in the balls almost for sure. Either a choke vs. Maryland, MN, etc. or a "we almost got there" loss to Penn State, or a 40 point loss to Bama in the 1st round.

I think a healthy Clemson would also drill the Badgers in a playoff game.

It's just hard to tell how good this Wisconsin team is given how super weak the schedule has been and will continue to be outside of Michigan and even they have a major flaw in the passing game.

Penn State and Ohio State would also win by a decent amount. Oklahoma State, probably. The Badgers are about the 10th best team in the advanced ratings but I wouldn't complain if they squeaked into the playoffs.

[MickeyDavis]

We'll have to go undefeated and beat Penn State or OSU to make the playoffs. If we do that we deserve to be there.

[gbmb34]

If only this season and last season's teams had been flipped. I think last year's squad was significantly better than this season, but of course with the schedule the W-L was not there to make it. Even if they do make it, it will most likely be as the 4 seed only to be demolished by Alabama. Might be better to just win the Cotton Bowl again rather than be crushed in the playoffs.

[Kerb Hohl]

If only this season and last season's teams had been flipped. I think last year's squad was significantly better than this season, but of course with the schedule the W-L was not there to make it. Even if they do make it, it will most likely be as the 4 seed only to be demolished by Alabama. Might be better to just win the Cotton Bowl again rather than be crushed in the playoffs.

I've seen this debate before, but give me Bama. I want to say that we've made the playoffs/final four in my lifetime and getting in gives you the 5% chance at pulling upsets and winning it all.

In terms of differences between last year and this year, I agree on the defensive side. Once Cichy went out this year, as good as Jacobs has been, there aren't difference-making players coming off the edge like Watt and Biegel.

On offense, it's pretty close but I'd maybe take this year's team. We'll see as the competition continues to get tougher.

[BUCKnation]

Honestly, if we can get through Penn St. or OSU in the Championship game while also being undefeated. I don't see us getting smoked by an Alabama.