MINNEAPOLIS — That weaker schedule that has kept Wisconsin on the fringe of the College Football Playoff picture has become a moot point.

Win one more game, and the Badgers will be a sure bet for the final four. They’re still unbeaten, confidently striving for more.

Alex Hornibrook threw three touchdown passes without an interception for fifth-ranked Wisconsin, and the Badgers overwhelmed rival Minnesota 31-0 on Saturday for their 14th straight victory over the Gophers.

The only other time Wisconsin completed a conference slate without a loss was in 1912, when there were only five contests on the schedule.

“It’s exciting, man. It’s something that’s really hard to do,” linebacker T.J. Edwards said. “I think some people take it for granted, but you can’t.”

Jonathan Taylor rushed for 149 yards on 20 carries, including a 53-yard scoring sprint on the first play of the fourth quarter that gave the Badgers (12-0, 9-0, No. 5 CFP) their largest winning margin in a Big Ten game this season.

Aided by No. 2 Miami’s stunning loss at Pittsburgh on Friday and No. 1 Alabama’s defeat on Saturday by No. 6 Auburn, the Badgers headed to the Big Ten championship game weekend next against Ohio State in prime position to move up and make sure they won’t be denied a top-four spot as an undefeated team.

“They’ll be ready,” coach Paul Chryst said.

Rodney Smith rushed 16 times for 82 yards for the Gophers (5-7, 2-7), who finished coach P.J. Fleck’s first season by suffering the program’s first consecutive shutouts since 1950.

“The actual performance tonight? Unacceptable,” Fleck said. “There’s no way that we’re going to look like that next year.”