Wisconsin moves up one spot in both Amway Coaches, AP Top 25 polls

In the last polls before the College Football Playoff committee releases its first rankings of the season on Tuesday, the Wisconsin Badgers moved up one spot to No. 4 in both the Amway Coaches Poll and Associated Press Top 25.

After a 24–10 victory over Illinois, Wisconsin currently sits at 8–0 with a manageable path to the Big Ten championship. In both polls, Alabama and Georgia remain at Nos. 1 and 2 respectively, while Ohio State jumped up to No. 3 after its 39–38 win over Penn State.

Four Big Ten teams remain in the coaches poll, but Michigan State dropped out after its triple-overtime loss to Northwestern:

• Ohio State (No. 3, up three spots)
• Wisconsin (No. 4, up one spot)
• Penn State (No. 7, down five spots)
• Michigan (No. 24, up one spot)

Michigan remained out of the AP poll, while Michigan State is still ranked despite its loss:

• Ohio State (No. 3, up three spots)
• Wisconsin (No. 4, up one spot)
• Penn State (No. 7, down five spots)
• Michigan State (No. 24, down eight spots)

It will be interesting to see where the committee ranks Wisconsin on Tuesday. There is some suspicion that the Badgers’ weak schedule will keep them out of the committee’s first top four, as Ohio State, Notre Dame, Clemson, and Oklahoma all have impressive wins on their résumés despite each team having one loss. Wisconsin likely still controls its own destiny, as games against Michigan and Ohio State (in the Big Ten championship game) would probably be enough to get the Badgers into the playoff. Tune into ESPN at 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday to see where the committee slates the Badgers.