With both Penn State and TCU losing on Saturday, somebody was going to take advantage in the Fornelli 50 rankings, and it appears that team is Wisconsin.

The Badgers, who just broke into the top five last week, are now up to No. 3.

They're a curious case. On the one hand, you have to respect the fact that this is an 8-0 team we're dealing with here. As you likely know by now if you're reading these rankings, that win-loss record means more than anything in this formula, and the Badgers are being rewarded for it.

Even if wins and losses matter most, the Badgers are seven spots ahead of Miami this week, and the Hurricanes are 7-0 themselves. This despite the fact that the Badgers have played a schedule that's the equivalent of a senior who only needs a few more elective credits to get their degree. Miami's has been more difficult, but aside from the strength of the schedule, it's the quality of the play.

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It's not just that you win, or who you win against, but how you win against them. Wisconsin has played an easy schedule, yes, but it's played as it should anyway. It's been the better team in every game, and for the most part, it's been dominant. Or at least, dominant enough.

I don't know if Wisconsin's performance will be good enough to impress the College Football Playoff, but it's doing enough for the math right now.

Now, before we get to the rankings, a brief reminder on how all of it works. You can read a full explanation of the process here.

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  • My opinion has absolutely nothing to do with the rankings, they're math-based
  • There is true equality to start as math doesn't play favorites
  • Wins and losses mean more than anything
  • The formula is in no way predictive, it's a meritocracy
  • I won't share the formula, but it works

No Longer Ranked: Texas A&M (37), Appalachian State (44), Louisville (45), Southern Miss (48), Virginia (49)