SMQ: 5 teams that could win a first national championship soon

Wisconsin came oh-so-close to playing for the College Football Playoff last season. Paul Chryst‘s team entered the Big Ten championship game undefeated and were in position for one of the top two seeds. All the Badgers needed to do was beat Ohio State in Indianapolis and they were virtually guaranteed a spot in the four-team field.

Instead, the Badgers fell just short in a 24-20 defeat. The loss relegated Wisconsin to a spot in the Orange Bowl, where they took down Miami on the Hurricanes’ home turf. In the process, the Badgers completed a 13-1 season that set a new benchmark for season performance in Madison.

Working in Wisconsin’s favor is the fact that they have plenty of talent returning in 2018, especially on offense. Standout tailback Jonathan Taylor is back for his sophomore campaign. Southpaw quarterback Alex Hornibrook returns as well for the Badgers. The defense is thinned out by graduations, but should remain formidable even as the coaching staff plugs up holes in the two-deep.

Wisconsin has been a feature at or near the top of the Big Ten standings for the better part of a quarter-century. Chryst, a Badger alumnus, benefits from playing in the weaker of the two Big Ten divisions. WIsconsin needs only to pull out a victory on one of its title game trips to Indianapolis and they will be in the field for their long-sought shot at a national title.