Wisconsin has put together some impressive wins over the years. Which rank at the top?
As tampering lawsuits rage and recruiting hiccups are processed, now seems like the ideal time to dip into something a bit on the lighter side relating to the Wisconsin Badgers football program.
With this in mind, let’s examine my six favorite Wisconsin Football rivalry games since the year 2000. (The relevant teams are, of course, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska.)
No. 6: 2017 vs. Iowa
What immediately sets this game played in a wet, miserable Camp Randall apart is the sheer and utter dominance the Badgers displayed that afternoon.
The 38-14 final score doesn’t do Wisconsin justice, as they thoroughly beat the Hawkeyes into submission, limiting them to five first downs and 66 yards of total offense while rolling up 382 of their own.
Both Iowa scores came courtesy of eventual Packers bust Josh Jackson’s pick-sixes. If this had been a boxing match, the ref might have stopped it before Jump Around.
No. 5: 2011 vs. Nebraska
Many recall this as Russell Wilson’s coming-out party, as the No. 7 Badgers welcomed the No. 8 Cornhuskers to Big Ten Night Football with a 48-17 thrashing.
After falling behind 7-0 in the first quarter, Wisconsin put its collective foot on Nebraska’s throat and never took it off. It was utter dominance and teased just how special this team had the potential to be.
The “give you chills’ moment came with the 4th Quarter winding down when a largely a cappella version of Build Me Up Buttercup took hold of Camp Randall. Incredible memories for everyone present.
No. 4: 2010 @ Iowa
I might go to my grave insisting that the 2010 Badgers were the best team in program history, and this slugfest victory in Iowa City is perfectly emblematic of why.
Wisconsin dug down deep and simply outslugged and outsmarted the Hawkeyes, ending them on a late Montee Ball touchdown and defensive stand aided by a less-than-stellar between-the-ears moment from Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi.
J.J. Watt and crew were not perfect on defense, but made just enough plays to allow the Badgers to leave Iowa City with Floyd of Rosedale. Just an epic, smashmouth Big Ten football game with a bit of offensive flair.
No. 3: 2005 @ Minnesota
In Barry Alvarez’s final Axe Game as coach of the Badgers, things looked pretty bleak as the Badgers found themselves in a late 10-point Gopher hole.
But, a Brandon Williams touchdown and three uninspired Minnesota runs on their next drive set up one of the all-time most joyful moments in Wisconsin Football history.
Gophers punter Justin Kucek forever cemented his name in Axe Game lore by inexplicably dropping a clean punt snap, which was then blocked by Jonathan Casillas and recovered by Ben Strickland in the end zone, cementing the improbable Wisconsin victory, called “The Miracle at the Metrodome” by many.
As the ESPN broadcaster excitedly noted that day, ”TOUCHDOWN, BADGERS. UNBELIEVABLE. SIMPLY SHOCKING.” Just an absolute feel-good victory.
No. 2 (2019 @ Minnesota)
This one nudges ahead of No. 3 only because of the stakes, with the No. 8 Gophers and supervillain head guy PJ Fleck hosting the No. 12 Badgers with a trip to the Big Ten Championship game on the line.
Things started well for Goldy, but Wisconsin rallied to take a narrow lead at halftime courtesy of a Jonathan Taylor touchdown reception and then simply bludgeoned the Gophers into submission in the second half, making big play after big play and relegating PJ’s lads to the Outback Bowl, 38-17.
In terms of the vibes, this was utterly amazing. Seeing the Gophers’ best season since the mid-1960s come off the rails at the worst possible time was deeply satisfying and will long remain an all-time favorite.
No. 1: 2014 vs Nebraska
No, the stakes of the game weren’t as high as some of the others on this list, but the vibes were immaculate.
After falling behind 17-3, Wisconsin handed the spatula to Melvin Gordon and told him to cook. And cook he did, with an utterly dominating three quarters of action which gave him a then-NCAA record 408 yards and 4 touchdowns.
This mark was broken just a week later, but if Gordon had played in the fourth quarter, it’s not hard to imagine him having ended up north of 500 yards and locking up the record forever.
It was the most dominating performance I’ve ever seen from a Wisconsin athlete and left the Badgers on the right side of a 59-24 bludgeoning. Camp Randall was a magical place that late afternoon/early evening, with a steady 3rd Quarter snowfall only adding to the moment.
The fact that Gordon got absolutely robbed of a Heisman Trophy that December remains an abomination, despite the Badgers retaining the hallowed Freedom Trophy.