When Wisconsin and Illinois meet on Saturday at Camp Randall, the two teams will renew a classic Big Ten rivalry. Saturday’s game is the first matchup between the Badgers and Fighting Illini since 2023 and the first in Camp Randall since 2022.
Wisconsin currently leads Illinois 45-38-7 in the all-time series, but the rivalry has long been contested, beginning with a 10-10 tie in 1895.
Wisconsin and Illinois have shared more than just the field in that stretch, with Bret Bielema serving as head coach for the Badgers from 2006 to 2012 and now the Fighting Illini since 2020. Bielema was the defensive coordinator under head coach Barry Alvarez for two seasons before taking over as head coach in 2006. Bielema won three consecutive Big Ten Championships with Wisconsin from 2010 through 2012. He compiled a 68-24 record with the Badgers, including a win over No. 1 Ohio State in 2010.
Bielema left the Badgers for Arkansas after the 2012 season. At the time, he said, "I just felt it was time for me to try and spread my wings and fly a little bit further.” Bielema lasted five seasons with the Razorbacks before being fired in 2017.
Bielema took over as head coach of Illinois after a brief stint as an assistant in the NFL. At Illinois, his record is 35-25 overall and a 22-21 Big Ten record, coming off a 10-3 season last year, his best finish with the Illini so far.
From 2008 to 2018, Wisconsin held a dominant eight-game win streak over Illinois.
In the midst of the decade-spanning streak, Wisconsin had a commanding 56-32 road win in 2013, where the Badgers iconic rushing duo of Melvin Gordon and James White combined for 241 yards and five rushing touchdowns. Wisconsin jumped out to a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter, with Illinois slightly closing the gap to 28-17 at the end of the half. Wisconsin wasn’t fazed by the comeback attempt, punching the Fighting Illini in the mouth en route to a 42-17 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The last win of the streak came during the 2018 season, when Jonathan Taylor rushed his way to 159 yards to help the Badgers win 49-20 at Camp Randall. Quarterback Alex Hornibrook threw for three touchdowns and two interceptions, with Wisconsin’s defense stepping up in raking in three interceptions.
In a stunning upset in 2019, a mediocre 2-4 Illinois broke their eight-game losing streak against Wisconsin with a field goal as time expired, giving them the 24-23 edge against the then No. 6 Badgers at Memorial Stadium.
Wisconsin held a comfortable 24-13 lead with 9:46 remaining in the fourth quarter after a 20-yard field goal from kicker Collin Larsh. The defense seemed to seal the game for the Badgers, stopping Illinois on a fourth and 1 attempt on their own 45 yard-line. But a complete meltdown from the Wisconsin offense gave Illinois life, with Taylor fumbling on second down just outside the redzone.
Illinois wasted no time taking advantage, driving down the field for a touchdown in less than 90 seconds thanks to 18, 22 and 29-yard plays respectively. The latter was a passing touchdown from quarterback Brandon Peters to bring the Illini within three with 5:53 remaining.
Even with the score tightening, Wisconsin still had a chance to chew clock and force Illinois to use their timeouts. Quarterback Jack Coan helped lead a five-play drive to the Wisconsin 45 yard-line, but an ill-advised pass from Coan on second down resulted in a crucial interception with just 2:32 left in regulation.
Illinois would complete the comeback and heartbreak for Wisconsin fans, a loss that signaled a turn of fortune for the Illini against the Badgers. In their last five games, Wisconsin still holds the edge at 3-2, but this is not the same Illinois team from the 2010’s, and it’s certainly not the same Wisconsin team that used to dominate these contests.
Illinois infamously beat Wisconsin 34-10 in 2022 in what ended being longtime head coach Paul Chryst’s last game. Following the loss, which dropped the Badgers to 2-3, athletic director Chris McIntosh fired Chryst in his eighth season.
In their most recent encounter, the Badgers managed a comeback of their own in a 25-21 win on the road in 2023. Down 21-7 in the third quarter, quarterback Braedyn Locke rallied his team in scoring 18 unanswered points, including a game-winning touchdown pass with 27 seconds remaining.
On the other side of the loss in 2023, Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer will seek revenge. Another testament to the culture shift in Illinois, Altmyer has been the consistent option at signal caller since his sophomore season, a stark contrast to the quarterback turmoil that has plagued Wisconsin ever since head coach Luke Fickell’s hiring.
A win for Wisconsin could add some comfort to a season rife with negativity and would also reassure themselves regarding their recent struggles against Illinois. Once a big brother, little brother dynamic, Illinois defeating the Badgers on their home turf could be the final nail in the coffin for their claim to prominence against Big Ten competition.
