MADISON, WI (WSAU) — The University of Wisconsin football team has been slotted 4th in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25, behind perennial powers Alabama, Clemson, and Georgia.
Big Ten rival Ohio State rounded out the top five.
It’s just the second time in the poll era that one school has topped the preseason rankings for 3 consecutive years (Oklahoma also pulled the hat trick in the 1980’s). The Tide picked up 42 of 61 first-place votes. Another 18 votes went to Clemson, with Wisconsin picking up the remaining first-place nod.
After Ohio State at #5, the Big Ten was represented by Penn State at number 10, Michigan State at 11, and Michigan at number 14. Northwestern and Iowa also received votes in the Top 25.
Also of note Central Florida, the only school to complete an undefeated season in 2017, cracked the preseason poll for the first time in school history at #21. The Knights have claimed a share of the 2017 National Championship after going 13-0 and defeating Auburn in the Peach Bowl.
For the Badgers, the 4th place spot is their highest preseason ranking since 2000 when they were also ranked 4th. That squad, led by Running Back Michael Bennett and QB Brooks Bollinger, finished 9-4 and an even 4-4 in the Big Ten before capping off the season with a win over UCLA in the Sun Bowl.
The complete poll was announced Monday. Wisconsin opens the season on Friday, August 31st against Western Kentucky University in Madison.
