Wisconsin Named the #1 Program That Hasn’t Made the College Football Playoffs (Yet)

Source: Wisconsin Football

By Christina Lorey

August 25, 2023

It’s really hard to make the College Football Playoff. Look at the numbers:

While 19% of all college basketball teams get into the NCAA Tournament, only 3% of football teams make the Playoff. While that percentage will increase to 9% when the Playoff expanded next season (2024), you’re likely to see the same teams vying for the big trophy.

Since the College Football Playoff started in 2014, only three Big Ten schools (Michigan, Michigan State, and Ohio State) and 14 teams overall have made the cut.

But the Badgers’ future is looking bright, at least according to College Football News. The sports site not only included Wisconsin Football on its list of the 20 Best Programs That Haven’t Made the College Football Playoff, analysts called it “the best program to not make the Playoff.”

“Even with a relatively down last few seasons, Wisconsin remains the best program,” writers explained.

“It’s been very, very close over the years, but there’s been a hard ceiling – i.e. Ohio State along with the Big Ten Championship game – that it hasn’t been able to bust through to get in. That’s where Luke Fickell supposedly comes in.”

The Fickell era of Wisconsin football starts Saturday, Sept. 2 when Buffalo comes to Camp Randall.

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Author

Christina Lorey

Christina Lorey is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist and former UpNorthNews newsletter editor. She previously worked as a producer, reporter, and TV anchor for stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, Christina volunteers with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and several mental health organizations.

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