The Wisconsin Badgers put together a strong Week 5 performance against Michigan State, but it wasn't enough to land them in the AP Top 25.
In fact, not even their 31-3 win could save UW from falling in the poll.
Wisconsin had 102 votes after their upset win at Penn State, but suddenly, they're only the third-highest unranked team with 88 votes.
Don’t let @ChiColeman23 get open 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/FcUryv1AO1
— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) October 3, 2026
The Oct. 4 poll revealed that Pittsburgh surged into the Top 25, rising seven spots after taking down Virginia Tech in Week 4.
Kentucky, despite winning, fell out of the Top 25 entirely. The Wildcats received 160 votes, the highest of any unranked team, with Wake Forest also receiving more votes (142) than the Badgers.
Knowing Wisconsin has a bye
in Week 6, their next chance of being ranked would come in the Oct. 18 poll, should they be able to take down a UCLA team that is currently ranked No. 21.
Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Jordon Lawrenz on X @jordonlaw_pxp.
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Badgers lose AP votes, no longer highest unranked team
