College Football Playoff rankings: Wisconsin joins the party at No. 4

The undefeated Wisconsin Badgers are in the top four of the College Football Playoff rankings for the first time in program history.

The Badgers (12–0, 9–0 Big Ten) moved up one spot to No. 4 in the season’s second-to-last rankings released Tuesday night. Wisconsin benefited from previous No. 1 Alabama and No. 2 Miami losing this past Saturday. The Crimson Tide and Hurricanes dropped to No. 5 and No. 7 respectively, with the Badgers bumping up one spot after decimating Minnesota 31–0.

Ahead of the Badgers are No. 1 Clemson, No. 2 Auburn, and No. 3 Oklahoma.

The playoff committee now ranks Ohio State (10–2, 8–1) at No. 8. The Buckeyes will face the Badgers on Saturday in the Big Ten Championship Game (7:17 p.m. CT, FOX) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Yet again, if the Badgers win, they’re in.

No. 9 Penn State, No. 16 Michigan State and No. 21 Northwestern round out the Big Ten teams in the latest playoff rankings.