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College Football Playoff Rankings 2017: Projected top four after Week 13

By Brad Weiss

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers calls a play at the line of scrimmage against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first quarter of the game on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 25: Leon Jacobs #32, Garret Dooley #5, Chikwe Obasih #34 of the Wisconsin Badgers cheer on teammate Alec James #57 as he pretends to chop down the goal post with Paul Bunyan’s Axe after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the game on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – NOVEMBER 25: Leon Jacobs #32, Garret Dooley #5, Chikwe Obasih #34 of the Wisconsin Badgers cheer on teammate Alec James #57 as he pretends to chop down the goal post with Paul Bunyan’s Axe after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the game on November 25, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Badgers defeated the Golden Gophers 31-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Wisconsin Badgers (12-0)

Last week: W 31-0 at Minnesota
Last rank: NR

Last season, the Big Ten champion did not even make the College Football Playoff, but that should change if the Wisconsin Badgers take care of business in the Big Ten Championship Game next weekend. The Badgers capped off a perfect regular season with a 31-0 road victory against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who they beat for the 14th straight time. The win brought the Paul Bunyan Axe back to Wisconsin, as they prepare to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten title game.

The Buckeyes secured their spot in the title game by beating Michigan on Saturday, though they lost quarterback J.T. Barrett in the process. For Wisconsin, they have been incredibly impressive this season, after losing a lot of their star power to the NFL Draft. Guys like T.J. Watt, Vince Biegel, and Corey Clement are gone from last year’s  team, but that has not slowed this program down one big this season.

Freshman running back Jonathan Taylor has moved right into the starting lineup, replacing the legend Clement at the position. Taylor had another big game in the regular season finale, rushing for 149 yards on 20 carries against Minnesota. Taylor also found the end zone, serving as an incredible asset for quarterback Alex Hornibrook, who threw for three touchdowns of his own in the blowout victory.

For the game, Hornibrook finished 15-of-19 passing, throwing for 151 yards against the Golden Gophers defense. The Wisconsin defense definitely came to play in this one, as they shut out the Minnesota offense, who could get nothing going all game long. Ohio State will be a tough test next weekend, but this Wisconsin team is loaded on both sides of the ball, and a win in the Big Ten title game will likely guarantee them a ticket to the College Football Playoff.

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