Wisconsin Badgers have not been part of the College Football Playoff since the 2021 season, a span marked by missed opportunities and a brief No. 14 ranking that faded after a 2023 bowl loss to LSU under coach Luke Fickell.
The optimism now comes from Manny Navarro of The Athletic, who recently placed the Badgers on a preseason list of unranked programs that could break into the CFP poll by the 2026 season.
Navarro’s projection hinges on a nine‑win campaign, a target that would represent a historic turnaround after years of underperformance, and he highlighted a September 26 road test against Penn State as a pivotal moment.
The analyst grouped Wisconsin with teams such as UNLV, Arizona and Clemson, all of which share comparable win‑loss expectations, suggesting that a strong finish could lift the Badgers into the national conversation.
While a 9‑3 record is ambitious, Navarro argues that key victories, especially on the road, could propel the team into the playoff conversation and restore the program’s former prominence.
A Playoff Dream Revived
The Badgers’ trajectory reflects a broader narrative of resurgence, as analysts begin to view the team not merely as a contender for a single season but as a potential fixture in the playoff picture.
If the forecast materializes, the 2026 campaign could mark the first time since 2019 that Wisconsin finishes the season ranked in the AP poll, underscoring the impact of strategic scheduling and player development.