Tag: rating

Wisconsin falls in ESPN FPI after Week 9 loss to Penn State

Wisconsin falls in ESPN FPI after Week 9 loss to Penn State

Wisconsin fell in ESPN FPI after its 28-13 loss to Penn State on Saturday.

The Badgers dropped six spots from No. 25 to No. 31 in the metric, due to their rating falling to 9.2. The dip halts the team’s rapid ascension over its previous three-game winning streak. It also dims its rest-of-season outlook with challenging games upcoming.

Related: Updated game-by-game predictions for Wisconsin football after loss to Penn State

Wisconsin moves forward with games against Iowa (No. 26 in FPI), Oregon (No. 8), Nebraska (No. 46) and Minnesota (No. 35). The Badgers had created separation from that trio of rivals — Oregon aside. That separation is mostly gone after Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota all delivered strong performances in Week 9.

FPI’s rest-of-season forecast for Wisconsin specifically includes a projected final record of 6-9 — 5.1, a 92.1% chance to reach bowl eligibility and a 0.1% chance to make the College Football Playoff.

Other notable FPI movements from around the Big Ten include Ohio State dropping from No. 1 to No. 2, Minnesota jumping 10 spots to No. 35, Nebraska jumping 12 spots to No. 46, Michigan falling to No. 39 despite a victory and Maryland plummeting to No. 59 with its blowout loss.

The Badgers are back in action next Saturday night for a rivalry showdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

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Wisconsin reenters Josh Pate’s ‘JP Poll’ top 25 entering Week 8

Wisconsin reenters Josh Pate’s ‘JP Poll’ top 25 ranking entering Week 8

The Wisconsin Badgers have returned to the top 25 of national college football analyst Josh Pate’s weekly rankings.

The Badgers rocketed up to No. 19 overall after their second consecutive blowout victory — the latest a 42-7 win over Rutgers. Wisconsin leaped an entire 20-25 group of SMU, Louisville, Arkansas, Utah, Florida and Boise State.

Related: Badgers Wire staff predictions for Wisconsin Badgers at Northwestern football

Pate lists Wisconsin as his seventh-best Big Ten team, behind Ohio State (No. 1), Oregon (No. 4), Penn State (No. 9), USC (No. 15), Iowa (No. 17) and Indiana (No. 18).

He also emphasis that the list is a power rating as opposed to a power ranking — much like ESPN SP+. It works to evaluate a team solely based on its quality and not on its resume. That explains Ohio State’s place at No. 1 despite losing at Oregon on Saturday.

Here is Pate’s full top 25:

https://twitter.com/JoshPateCFB/status/1846359028231729543

All metric systems have significantly upgraded the Badgers after their back-to-back blowout wins. Wisconsin fans feel as if the team has turned the corner, and most rating systems agree with that sentiment.

Next up for the Badgers is a road trip to Evanston, Illinois on Saturday to face the Northwestern Wildcats. A third consecutive decisive win would push the Badgers to 5-2 on the season and 3-1 in Big Ten play, and could see the team enter the AP Top 25 for the first time this season.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin continues rise in ESPN SP+ after big win over Rutgers

Wisconsin continues rise in ESPN SP+ after big win over Rutgers

Wisconsin continued to rise in ESPN SP+ after its big 42-7 win over Rutgers on Saturday.

The win improved the Badgers to 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in Big Ten play. It jumped Luke Fickell’s group from SP+’s No. 39 overall team (No. 80 on offense, No. 19 on defense) to No. 32 overall (No. 64 on offense, No. 16 on defense).

Related: ESPN FPI updates Wisconsin football win chances for remaining 2024 schedule after Week 7 win over Rutgers

The Badgers are now the metric’s 10th-highest-ranked Big Ten team, behind Ohio State at No. 2, Penn State at No. 6, Oregon at No. 7, Indiana at No. 15, Iowa at No. 19, Michigan at No. 21, Nebraska at No. 22, USC at No. 27 and Washington at No. 28.

They now proceed with games against Northwestern (No. 71 in SP+), Penn State (No. 6), Iowa (No. 19), Oregon (No. 7), Nebraska (No. 22) and Minnesota (No. 41) to close the season.

Bowl eligibility looks likely for the Badgers after the back-to-back blowout wins over Purdue and Rutgers. The team could still accomplish much more, however, if those big-time home matchups against Penn State and Oregon turn into wins.

https://twitter.com/ESPN_BillC/status/1845492367429701703

Wisconsin’s combined 94-13 margin over Purdue and Rutgers signals a possible ‘turning of the corner’ for Fickell’s group, and possibly the program as a whole. SP+ agrees, as Wisconsin has risen from No. 66 in the nation to No. 32 after the two wins.

A strong showing on Saturday at Rutgers would continue that forward momentum and enter the Badgers into the national conversation.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin rises dramatically in ESPN SP+ after blowout win over Purdue

Wisconsin rises dramatically in ESPN SP+ after blowout win over Purdue

There are Wisconsin Badgers fans who think the team is ‘back’ after its dominant 52-6 victory over Purdue on Saturday.

While the long-term projection is still a challenge, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the dominant showing. The Badgers controlled the game throughout, dominated the Boilermakers in every facet and, overall, put forth arguably the most complete performance of the Luke Fickell era to date.

Related: ESPN FPI updates Wisconsin football win chances for remaining 2024 schedule after Week 6 win over Purdue

For those who believe the Badgers are ‘back,’ ESPN SP+ might agree. Wisconsin entered the week ranked No. 66 in the nation — No. 92 on offense and No. 27 on defense.

After the blowout win over Purdue, Wisconsin rose a whopping 27 spots up to No. 39 in the nation — specifically up to No. 80 on offense and No. 19 on defense.

That steep rise has the Badgers now ranked as the No. 10 team in the Big Ten in SP+, ranked behind Ohio State (No. 2), Penn State (No. 6), Oregon (No. 7), Indiana (No. 17), Washington (No. 19), USC (No. 25), Nebraska (No. 26), Michigan (No. 27) and Iowa (No. 29).

They are ranked ahead of next week’s opponent Rutgers (No. 44), plus rival Minnesota (No. 41)

The key to Wisconsin’s rest-of-season chances and push to bowl eligibility won’t be to replicate its performance against Purdue — that is a tall ask. It will be, instead, to take the momentum from the win and build on it. Strong performances strung together will help the team build an identity and maintain clear areas of strength.

Right now, the win streak is at one. Saturday’s road trip to Rutgers presents a critical moment in the season — one where the win streak must be extended.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin rises in ESPN FPI after big win over Purdue

Wisconsin rises in ESPN FPI after big win over Purdue

The Wisconsin Badgers are trending positively after their dominant 52-6 win over Purdue on Saturday.

The win snapped the team’s two-game losing streak, improved it to 3-2 on the season and 1-1 in Big Ten play and, importantly, gave a glimpse at its ceiling. Wisconsin had not put together a complete, four-quarter performance to date. The win over the Boilermakers did have minor moments of struggle, but it’s the closest the Badgers have come to a complete showing.

Related: ESPN FPI updates Wisconsin football win chances for remaining 2024 schedule after Week 6 win over Purdue

Dominant wins lead to ratings improvements. That is seen in ESPN FPI, which lifted the Badgers eight spots to No. 54 in the nation.

Big Ten teams ranked below the Badgers are now Purdue (No. 114), Northwestern (No. 87), UCLA (No. 74) and Michigan State (No. 66). The Badgers narrowly trail Minnesota (No. 51), Illinois (No. 47) and Rutgers (No. 44).

Wisconsin gets to test its progress next Saturday with a road trip to Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are off a narrow 14-7 loss to Nebraska but still sit 4-1 on the season. A decisive victory could see Wisconsin begin to rise back to the mid-30s ranking it held to begin the season.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion.

Wisconsin football plunges in ESPN SP+ ranking after loss to USC

Wisconsin football plunges in ESPN SP+ ranking after loss to USC

Wisconsin fell 13 spots in ESPN SP+ after its 38-21 loss to the USC Trojans on Saturday.

The Badgers entered the week ranked No. 53 overall with a 5.3 rating. The sizable loss dropped their rating to 3.6, sliding down to No. 66 in the nation. For specifics: Phil Longo’s offense currently ranks No. 92 in SP+, while Mike Tressel and Luke Fickell’s defense ranks No. 27.

Related: Notable Wisconsin alumni irate with the Badgers’ struggles with short-yardage runs

This ranking slide only continues what has been a worst-case start to the 2024 season for the Badgers. They failed to impress in early nonconference wins over Western Michigan and South Dakota, and have since lost in blowout fashion to both No. 1 Alabama and No. 11 USC.

The team’s current form paints a grim rest-of-season outlook. Wisconsin still has remaining games against tough teams including Rutgers (4-0), Penn State (4-0, No. 7 in the AP Poll), Iowa (3-1, No. 17 in ESPN SP+), Oregon (4-0, No. 6 in the AP Poll) and Nebraska (4-1, No. 28 in SP+). That does not include matchups against Northwestern and Minnesota, both of which now look like a challenge given the Badgers’ current struggles.

The narrative can start to change on Saturday when Wisconsin hosts Purdue. A decisive win would quell the current discussion surrounding the program and begin to shift the rest-of-season outlook.

The bad news: Wisconsin has yet to put together a complete, four-quarter performance.

The good news: Purdue is in an even worse situation and just fired its offensive coordinator.

Kickoff for Week 6 is schedule for noon ET, 11 a.m. CT on Big Ten Network.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

Wisconsin falls far in updated ESPN FPI after win over Western Michigan

Wisconsin falls far in updated ESPN FPI ranking after win over Western Michigan

Wisconsin is trending in the wrong direction after a 28-14 Week 1 win over Western Michigan.

Despite the win, the Badgers fell seven spots in ESPN FPI to No. 46, now with an overall rating of only 4.0.

Related: Takeaways from Wisconsin’s 28-14 Week 1 win over Western Michigan

The drop makes sense given the context. Wisconsin struggled to defeat a Western Michigan team that entered the game No. 119 in the FPI (out of 134 Football Bowl Subdivision programs). The Broncos have risen with their strong performance. But much of that can be attributed to the Badgers’ struggles on both sides of the football.

FPI and SP+ ratings are not the end-all for evaluating a team. Wisconsin moves into Week 2 with a 1-0 record, which is technically all that matters. But in a week where Iowa won 40-0 and Nebraska won 40-7, both against lesser competition, it’s hard not to look at Wisconsin’s performance with a critical eye.

The Badgers are back on the field next Saturday against South Dakota. That game serves as the final warmup before No. 5 Alabama visits Madison on Sept. 14.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. 

Wisconsin Badgers Ricardo Hallman one of highest-rated CBs in EA Sports College Football 25

Ricardo Hallman is one of the best cornerbacks in the country:

Wisconsin star cornerback Ricardo Hallman is among the highest-rated players at his position in the soon-to-be-released EA Sports College Football 25 video game.

Hallman and safety Hunter Wohler are the two Badgers to make the video game’s top 100 players — Hallman at No. 62 overall and Wohler at No. 84.

Related: Ranking every wide receiver corps in the Big Ten Conference entering 2024 season

The star cornerback enters the 2024 season after a 34-tackle, 3.0-TFL, 7-interception breakout 2023 campaign. He was by far Wisconsin’s best cornerback and the team’s second-most-productive defensive player behind only Wohler.

Now, the former three-star recruit is a household name entering the upcoming college football season and should hear his name called early during the 2025 NFL draft.

The Badger defensive star is not only one of Wisconsin’s best players entering the season, but he’s also one of the best at his position in the sport. EA Sports College Football 25 reflects that standing and included him in its top 10 highest-rated cornerbacks:

Watch: Chargers WR Quentin Johnston reacts to ‘Madden NFL 24’ rating

Chargers rookie Quentin Johnston’s ratings were revealed and he reacted to them.

The Chargers went all-in on the wide receiver position in the 2023 NFL draft by selecting former TCU standout Quentin Johnston with their first-round pick.

Ahead of the release of EA Sports Madden NFL 24, Johnston’s rating was unveiled, earning a 74-overall grade in their preliminary ratings and was assessed to have an 81 catch attribute value.

And known for his speed and yards-after-the-catch ability, Johnston checked in as the second-fastest rookie receiver with an 89-speed rating.

Johnston reacted to his ratings, and he seemed to be fine with his catch rating but felt that his overall rating was too low.

Check it out:

 

Johnston will have to prove to EA Sports’ experts that he’s capable of a higher rating over the course of the 2023 campaign as he competes with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams for targets in Los Angeles’ stacked offense that features superstar quarterback Justin Herbert under center.

Chargers’ Derwin James earns top spot in ‘Madden NFL 24’ safety ratings

Notorious Madden fan Derwin James earned the game’s top rating at the safety position ahead of the 2023 season

The Chargers secondary is chock-full of young talent, and the rating experts at EA Sports seem particularly bullish on safety Derwin James’ potential for the 2023 season, giving him the top overall grade at his position for the upcoming release of the “Madden” franchise.

“Madden” rates each player in the NFL on a 1-99 scale, with 99 representing the absolute best grade a player can earn for their in-game avatar. James graded out at a 95-overall, landing just shy of the coveted “99 Club” reserved for the league’s most preeminent stars.

Though the grades that go into his overall rating have yet to be released, Chargers fans can rest assured that James will be a force to be reckoned with when the game releases in August.

As the top-rated safety in the game, James can be expected to have cheat code-esque abilities when “Madden” fanatics utilize him as part of their secondary.