My AP top 25 ballot: Upsets leave Big Ten playoff hopes in bad shape

The Big Ten is in big trouble.

Ohio State and Penn State both lost Saturday, leaving Wisconsin as the conference’s best and only realistic shot at making the playoff. The Badgers are undefeated, but their schedule is softer than a pillow. It could be difficult for them to jump one-loss teams like Oklahoma, Clemson and Notre Dame, even if they keep winning.

I ranked Wisconsin at No. 8 this week, ahead of Washington but behind most of the other major playoff contenders. Its next three games are against Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota. Then it’s the Big Ten championship game. If Wisconsin wins out, will that strengthen its schedule enough to move into the top four? Maybe. But everyone else will be playing hard games, too. The Badgers might need to start rooting for upsets.

Oklahoma moved up a spot to No. 3 after its road win over Oklahoma State. Miami moved up to No. 6 following its win over Virginia Tech.

My playoff four remains the same as last week, with a new order: Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma and Notre Dame.

My next four: Clemson, Miami, TCU and Wisconsin.

Central Florida joins the top 10, as its undefeated season continues. Ohio State and Penn State both dropped hard. The Buckeyes fell to No. 12 following their blowout loss at Iowa, and Penn State fell to No. 22. Here’s hoping my fellow voters wise up and rank Oklahoma ahead of Ohio State this week, instead of five spots behind.

Michigan State surged up to No. 15 and Iowa made it on my ballot at No. 19. West Virginia is also back on my ballot after it beat Iowa State.

The Cyclones dropped to No. 23.

You can check out my entire top 25 ballot below:

1. Alabama.

2. Georgia.

3. Oklahoma.

4. Notre Dame.

5. Clemson.

6. Miami.

7. TCU.

8. Wisconsin.

9. Washington.

10. UCF.

11. USC.

12.Ohio State.

13. Auburn.

14. Mississippi State.

15. Michigan State.

16. Oklahoma State.

17. Memphis.

18. Virginia Tech.

19. Iowa.

20. Washington State.

21. West Virginia.

22. Penn State.

23. Iowa State.

24. South Florida.

25. San Diego State.

This story was originally published November 5, 2017 at 8:39 AM with the headline "My AP top 25 ballot: Upsets leave Big Ten playoff hopes in bad shape."