College Football Playoff: 5 teams that could make it for the first time in 2020

The Wisconsin Badgers are the other team in the Big Ten who has a great shot at making the College Football Playoff for the first time in 2020. They have two quality non-conference games vs. Appalachian State and vs. Notre Dame at Lambeau Field. The Big Ten West looks to be as strong as it ever has. Plus, the Badgers have a big road game vs. Michigan in The Big House.

Admittedly, the Badgers’ first six games are beyond brutal. App State, at Michigan, Notre Dame in Lambeau and archival Minnesota on four consecutive Saturdays is about as tough of a four-game stretch you’re going to get out of a Big Ten team with serious championship aspirations. Though they will be rewarded for all four of those wins, a loss to any would conversely be punishing.

However, should Wisconsin come out of the first half gauntlet with a 5-1 record and the loss isn’t to App State, it should be a breezy second half for the Badgers heading into the Iowa game at Kinnick. Getting Nebraska at home the week before Iowa might be a potential trap game, but who knows how good Scott Frost‘s team will be next year? They haven’t been to a bowl yet under him.

Though presumably Ohio State would loom large in Indianapolis, keep in mind the Buckeyes have to play Penn State in Happy Valley. Should it be another team representing the Big Ten East at Lucas Oil Stadium other than Ohio State, you have to believe Paul Chryst‘s team has been to Indianapolis enough of late to finally get it done and have the Badgers in the playoff.