Could the Badgers sneak into a bowl game?

Several weeks ago, amid a six-game losing streak, it seemed like the Wisconsin Badgers season was over and potentially even heading to a 2-10 finish.

But, Wisconsin has turned things around in November, upsetting the No. 23 Washington Huskies 13-10 at Camp Randall Stadium to break the losing streak. Then, after a loss to the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers, Wisconsin picked up another upset, this time dominating the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini 27-10 at home.

As a result, the Badgers stand at 4-7 with one game left in the season: the Axe rivalry matchup against the Minnesota Gophers.

Since they cannot get to six wins even with a victory over Minnesota, Wisconsin is not able to make a bowl game the traditional way. But, there have been teams to reach a bowl game with a 5-7 record due to APR, and the Badgers could sneak into that mix if enough spots open up for 5-7 teams.

How is that possible?

According to Forbes’s Erik Buchinger, the Badgers would need the following teams to combine for a 3-15 record this weekend in order to make a bowl game with a win over Minnesota, via Zach Heilprin.

Buchinger mentioned that Wisconsin’s APR is only below the following teams:

Ohio State

Alabama

Michigan/North Carolina

Clemson/Wake Forest

Cincinnati

Northwestern

Air Force/Minnesota

So, there is a chance, even if it’s a very outside chance, that the Badgers could find their way into a bowl game after the abysmal start to the season.

If that’s the case, would they accept a bid?

“We would never turn down a game, whether that’s to play in the parking lot, whether that’s to play wherever,” head coach Luke Fickell said on Monday. “But what’s most important is just saying, ‘hey, all those kinds of things, they just cloud your minds.’

“Like this [game against Minnesota], it’s about a rivalry, it’s about an axe, it’s about history, and by chance, something happens after that, then we will be able to address that. But for right now, it’s like, ‘guys don’t worry about anything like that. Don’t worry about what comes come Sunday.’ This is all about five days left of being able to be these last guaranteed opportunities we have to be together. Let’s make sure we do things the right way.”

So, you’re saying there’s a chance…