Wisconsin legend Melvin Gordon says Badgers 'going to the playoffs'

Melvin Gordon doesn't care how it might sound at the moment.

The Wisconsin football legend is putting it out there in the universe after watching his Badgers score one of their biggest wins in recent program history on Saturday, Sept. 26, when they rallied to upset Penn State, 24-20, in the Big Ten opener.

Gordon, who starred at Wisconsin from 2011-14, is calling it right now:

"WE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS !! IDC IM CLOUD 9"

WE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS ‼️ IDC IM CLOUD ☁️ 9

— F L ⚡️ S H (@Melvingordon25) September 27, 2026

The Bagers entered the game unranked without a signature victory in several years.

The playoffs wouldn't be near anyone's thought process based on what has happened of late. They had been in a stretch of losing seasons not seen since the early 1990s.

And as it had unfolded, alums, like Gordon, had become disgruntled with the program as they watched losing performances week after week. They often wondered how a once proud program that made advancing to bowl games look easy could fall on such hard times.

Gordon, who is fourth in program history in rushing yards and rushing TDs, is now wondering how far this 2026 team could go as his emotions have turned to real hope and optimism following consecutive losing Big Ten seasons.

Wisconsin went into Happy Valley and stunned previously-unbeaten Penn State, storming back from a 17-0 first-half hole and having a fourth quarter to remember.

It's still just the first Big Ten game but it couldn't have started any better for the Badgers as the vibes have suddenly shifted with one massive victory.

Next up for Wisconsin (3-1) is its Big Ten home opener on Saturday, Oct. 4, against Michigan State.

Takeaways: How Wisconsin upset Penn State in Big Ten opener

Has Wisconsin ever been part of the College Football Playoff?

The Badgers have never been part of the College Football Playoff since its inception in 2014. The CFP began as a four-team playoff for the first 10 years before expanding to 12 teams in 2024.

A Big Ten school has won each of the last three CFP championships with Indiana capturing the national championship last season.

Ohio State and Michigan won the previous two national titles.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin legend Melvin Gordon says Badgers 'going to the playoffs'