Wisconsin now a top-three team in Amway Coaches Poll, but falls in AP Top 25

A day after the Wisconsin Badgers pulled away from the Indiana Hoosiers in a 45–17 win, two polls moved Paul Chryst’s program in different directions.

Wisconsin (9–0, 6–0 Big Ten) ranked No. 3 in the Amway Coaches Poll but dropped two spots to No. 6 in the AP Top 25 when both polls were released on Sunday.

The Badgers were ranked No. 4 in both the AP and coaches polls last week.

In terms of Bill Connelly’s S&P+ rankings, Wisconsin is still ranked No. 6 this week. In terms of bowl projections, SB Nation’s Jason Kirk now has the Badgers back in his College Football Playoff picture as the No. 4 seed against No. 1 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

The Badgers’ No. 3 ranking is the highest the program has received in the history of the coaches poll. Five Big Ten teams occupy that poll, with substantial drops by Ohio State and Penn State:

• Wisconsin (No. 3, up one spot)
• Ohio State (No. 11, down eight spots)
• Penn State (No. 13, down six spots)
• Michigan State (No. 16, up 10 spots; previously unranked)
• Michigan (No. 22, up two spots)

For those wondering, Iowa did NOT make the top 25 for this poll, though the Hawkeyes did receive 112 votes, good for 27th. Northwestern received five votes.

Wisconsin was two votes shy of a tie for No. 5 in the AP Top 25 behind Oklahoma, who won a 62–52 shootout against Oklahoma State where it felt like there was no defense played by either team. The Badgers were also passed in the AP poll by Notre Dame (up two spots to No. 3) and Clemson (up two spots to No. 4):

• Wisconsin (No. 6, down two spots)
• Ohio State (No. 11, down eight spots)
• Michigan State (No. 13, up 11 spots)
• Penn State (No. 16, down nine spots)
• Michigan (No. 21; previously unranked)
• Iowa (No. 25; previously unranked)

Now obviously, these polls do not matter as the College Football Playoff committee will decide who will play for a chance at the national championship at the end of the season. Right now, it remains murky just where the committee will place No. 9 Wisconsin despite Ohio State and Penn State losing, with No. 10 Miami winning big at home over Virginia Tech and other teams above the Badgers also scoring victories.