If Wisconsin can beat Ohio State Saturday night for the Big Ten title, there’s a good chance the Badgers will get a spot in the college football semifinals. The U-W rose one place to Number four in the weekly playoff rankings announced Tuesday night — and if the playoffs were to begin now, Wisconsin would face new Number One Clemson, and second ranked Auburn would take on Number three Oklahoma in the semifinals on New Year’s Day. Ohio State dropped one spot to Number Eight in Tuesday’s rankings with an overall mark of 10-2 while the Badgers are at 12-0. U-W coach Paul Chryst says that for now, their only focus is on winning Wisconsin’s first Big Ten championship since 2012. Athletic director Barry Alvarez says the team is right to focus on the challenge ahead of them — and not get wrapped up in what they can’t control.
