College Football: Buy or sell top 25 teams as National Title contenders

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 8: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers, left, and head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide pose for a photograph after speaking to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Head Coaches Press Conference on January 8, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 8: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers, left, and head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide pose for a photograph after speaking to members of the media during the College Football Playoff National Championship Head Coaches Press Conference on January 8, 2017 at the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

As the lowest ranked Big 10 team inside the top 25, Wisconsin is fitting into their usual underdog role once again. They have one of the clearest paths to the College Football Playoff of any team in the country. If they can carry the momentum over from their Cotton Bowl victory against the Western Michigan Broncos, they’ll take care of all games that they should win anyway in 2017.

The only tough non-conference test comes from the BYU Cougars, and possibly the Lane Kiffin coached Florida Atlantic Owls. In conference, Wisconsin avoids playing both the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions, at least during the regular season. Their toughest test is the Michigan Wolverines at home.

The front seven for Wisconsin could be the best in the nation, even with the loss of linebacker T.J. Watt. Jack Cichy, Garret Dooley and Chikwe Obasih will all be playing on Sundays eventually and will continue to make the lives of opposing offense difficult, especially in the running game.

All signs point to an under-the-radar run for Wisconsin to the Big 10 Championship Game once again. The only difference needs to be the Badgers actually winning it this time around.

Verdict: Buy