Wisconsin Badgers during a Big Ten Conference NCAA college football game against the Indiana Hoosiers, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Bloomington, IN. (Photo by David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications)
2023 David Stluka/Wisconsin Athletic Communications

Football

Baggot: Five things to know - Wisconsin welcomes Northwestern

UW hosts Northwestern in a Big Ten West showdown

Andy Baggot header 2

It might well be the quirkiest rivalry in Wisconsin football history.

When the Badgers face Northwestern for the 105th time Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, it will bring to life some of the strangest details ever seen in a Big Ten Conference series.

Exhibit A: Wisconsin is 178-2 when scoring at least 40 points in a game going back to 1890. The only losses were to the Wildcats (47-44 in 2000; 51-48 in ’05).

Exhibit B: The Badgers are 358-16 when scoring at least 30 points in a game dating back to their inaugural season. Four of those came at the hands of Northwestern (2000; ’05; 44-34 in 1990; 34-30 in ’96).

Exhibit C: Wisconsin is 58-6-1 when producing a 200-yard rusher. Two of those setbacks came against the Wildcats (Michael Bennett’s 293 in ’00 and Melvin Gordon’s 259 in ’14).

Exhibit D: The Badgers have scored at least 40 points against Northwestern 18 times in their all-time series, more than any other league opponent.

So, expect the unexpected when UW (5-4 overall, 3-3 in the Big Ten) hosts the Wildcats (4-5, 2-4) at 2:30 p.m.  

Here are five more things to know:

Hunter Wohler (24) roams the secondary at Illinois

ONE

UW junior safety Hunter Wohler is having one of the most prolific seasons in program history as it relates to tackles. He has 52 solos and 85 overall and is on pace for 75 solos and 123 overall, provided the Badgers play in a bowl game. In recorded history, the only defensive back with at least 70 solos and 120 tackles overall in one season is Reggie Holt, who had 77-144 in 1991. The only other DBs with 70-plus solo tackles are Ryan Aiello (73 in 2002) and Jason Doering (71 in 1998, 79 in ‘99, 73 in 2000).

Braedyn Locke (18) throws a pass against Illinois

TWO

Wisconsin quarterbacks have thrown just four interceptions in 334 attempts thus far. For some perspective, the last two UW teams to finish a season with at least 300 pass attempts and single-digit picks were in 2019 (10-4, Big Ten West titlists, Rose Bowl) and 2011 (11-3, Big Ten champions, Rose Bowl).

Bryson Green (9) gains yardage versus Rutgers

THREE

Of the 138 third downs the Badgers have faced this season, 35 were third-and-10 or longer and 31 were 7 to 9 yards.

Jackson Acker (34) carries the ball against Ohio State

FOUR

The average yardage needed on third down for UW after nine games this season is 6.6 yards. The three best: Rutgers 5.1, Buffalo 5.5, Washington State 5.7. The three worst: Indiana 8.8, Ohio State 8.5, Iowa 6.9.

Chimere Dike (13) evades tacklers against Ohio State

FIVE

Here’s how the nine Wisconsin opponents to date rank nationally in total offense and defense among the 133 FBS schools: Buffalo No. 28 in offense and No. 81 in defense; Washington State 47 and 113; Georgia Southern 28 and 89; Purdue 100 and 82; Rutgers 106 and 10; Iowa 133 and 17; Illinois 79 and 75; Ohio State 46 and 5; Indiana 118 and 57.

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2023 Schedule

The Badgers battle with Big Ten West foes to finish the season this November

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