College Football Playoff Top 25 Projections after Championship Weekend

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) is brought down by Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand (9) during the third quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Bradrick Shaw (7) is tackled by Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Grant Haley (15) in the second half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

At halftime of the Big Ten championship, it looked as though Wisconsin was on pace to cruise to the conference title. Then Penn State, a second-half team all season long, shut down the Badgers and pulled off the improbable comeback. Corey Clement finished with 164 rushing yards and a touchdown, but it wasn’t enough as the Badgers gave up over 400 yards of offense to the Nittany Lions as Trace McSorley had a record-setting night in Indianapolis.

The Badgers missed out on a longshot chance at the College Football Playoff, though it was always going to be hard to leapfrog Ohio State even with a conference title. They should still get selected for a New Year’s Six bowl, though. The Orange Bowl is a possibility, but they are more likely to be the last team with a chance of taking down Western Michigan in the Cotton Bowl.

PROJECTED BOWL DESTINATION: Cotton Bowl (January 2)

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