Although the cancellation of the game against Minnesota last weekend did not impact Wisconsin’s rankings much for this week, it has definitely impacted the Badgers’ bowl projections from USA TODAY. Wisconsin is still predicted to play the Auburn Tigers, like in last week’s projections, but is now projected to play in the Citrus Bowl.
Wisconsin fans may be familiar with Auburn Tigers because of the two teams’ matchup in the 2015 Outback Bowl that the Badgers won 34-31. Wisconsin has played in three Citrus Bowls, while it was named the Capital One Bowl, including in 2006 against Auburn. The Badgers won the game 24-10 under head coach Barry Alvarez. Wisconsin leads the all-time series with the Tigers at 2-1-1, and the first game between them happened all the way back in 1931.
Although Ohio State did not play last weekend because of a team outbreak of COVID-19, the projected College Football Playoff teams for this week have not changed. The teams are still Ohio State, Clemson, Alabama, and Notre Dame.
The No. 16-ranked Wisconsin Badgers will be facing the No. 12-ranked Indiana Hoosiers this Saturday and will be fighting to stay alive in the Big Ten West. The Hoosiers will be without their star quarterback Michael Penix Jr. for the rest of the season, which has caused the odds to shift significantly in Wisconsin’s favor to win this game.