SEEKING THEIR DUE
Badgers need win vs. Wolverines to bolster résumé
Five- plus years ago, when Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez reached a homeand- home agreement with BYU for meetings in 2017 and 2018, the Cougars had won 60 games — a big- time average of 10 a pop — over the previous six seasons.
The ’ 17 contest in Provo loomed as a stern challenge, to be sure. As it turns out, the Cougars — who lost 40- 6 to Wisconsin in September — are a sad- sack 3- 8 and a blight on perhaps the most suspect résumé an unbeaten Power 5 team has had this late in a season during the College Football Playoff era.
Such is the story of the “haven’t beaten anybody” Badgers. So far, that is. A victory over Michigan at Camp Randall Stadium would do a lot to move a playoff narrative along.
The biggest playoffrelated question these days: Would a 13- 0 Wisconsin team make it into the field of four? It remains uncertain, no matter what anyone in Big Ten country is saying to the contrary.
Scenario: Clemson or Miami wins out, giving the ACC a slam- dunk entry. Oklahoma wins out, giving the Big 12 a slam- dunk entry. One- loss Georgia edges unbeaten Alabama in an SEC title game for the ages, giving us . . . well, what?
Hello, Badgers, and byebye, Crimson Tide? The best you’re getting from me is a tepid maybe.
Alvarez, who was an influential member of the selection committee for the first three years of the playoff, told ESPN last week that omitting a Badgers team riding high at 13- 0 would be “very difficult to do.”
“There’s no part of me that says if you go undefeated as a Power 5 and win your conference championship, and you’re not going to be in the final four?” he said. “I don’t see that. That would shock me.”
Alabama being left on the cutting- room floor would be shocking, too. It hasn’t happened in any playoff yet.
At least Wisconsin gets a second chance in a row to buff and shine its reputation. Last weekend’s shutout of Iowa’s offense — with the Hawkeyes coming off a blowout victory over Ohio State — was compelling. The Wolverines aren’t playoff contenders, but they’re name- brand opponents with a superstar coach in Jim Harbaugh.
Both teams sure can bring the thunder on defense. Wisconsin is first in the country in total defense, allowing 247.7 yards a game. Michigan is third ( 254.8), a notch behind Alabama.
“They’re strong,” Badgers coach Paul Chryst said of Harbaugh’s unit. “They are really good players, and it’s a really good scheme. And I think they know it.”
Wisconsin also leads the nation in rushing defense ( 81.5), with Michigan ninth ( 110.3). That strongly suggests both quarterbacks — Badgers sophomore Alex Hornibrook and Wolverines freshman Brandon Peters — will be on the spot to deliver in the passing game. Yet that’s also where things could get gnarly.
The Badgers are decimated by injuries at wide receiver, while the Wolverines have no one at the position who has distinguished himself. And both teams are among the best in the country at rushing the passer. Wisconsin, led by Garret Dooley and Alec James, is ranked fourth in sacks ( 3.5 a game). Michigan, with Chase Winovich and Devin Bush Jr. looking for trouble, is tied for sixth ( 3.3).
Playoff talk? Maybe it’s too soon for that. The Badgers had better have all their eggs in the survivingWeek- 12 basket.
Follow me on Twitter @ SLGreenberg.