Tannner Mordecai

Andy Baggot

Baggot: Five things to know - Badgers head west

Wisconsin looks for revenge versus Washington State on Saturday

Andy Baggot header 2

Barring an unusual reunion somewhere down the road, this is the final time a school representing the Pac-12 Conference will appear on a Wisconsin football schedule.

The No. 19 Badgers (1-0 overall) play unranked Washington State (1-0) at Gesa Field in Pullman, Wash., on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Starting with the 2024 season, the Pac-12 will no longer exist after Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington agreed to join the Big Ten; Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah opted to join the Big 12; and California and Stanford were absorbed by the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Until further notice, Oregon State and Washington State are independents.

The encounter with Cougars will mark the 61st time UW has faced a current member of the Pac-12. The Badgers are 24-36 overall, 8-6 in bowl games.

Wisconsin has a winning record vs. Arizona (2-0), Oregon State (2-1), Stanford (4-1-1), Utah (2-1) and Washington State (2-1).

The Badgers have a losing record vs. Arizona State (2-3), Cal (1-5), Colorado (1-4-1), UCLA (4-7), USC (1-6) and Washington (0-4).

Here are five more things to know:

Chez Mellusi, Wisconsin football, celebrates with teammates during game against Buffalo on Saturday, Sept., 2, 2023.

ONE

The Badgers have won 51 consecutive games when rushing for 300-plus yards, a streak that began in 2001 and added its latest victim Sept. 2 when UW totaled 314 on the ground during a 38-17 victory over Buffalo at Camp Randall Stadium. The last time Wisconsin topped 300 rush yards in a game and lost was in 2000 when it fell to Oregon (302) and Northwestern (352) in a span of three weeks.

Braelon Allen celebrating after scoring a touchdown against Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium

TWO

Senior Chez Mellusi and junior Braelon Allen rushed for 157 and 141 yards, respectively, during the season-opening victory over Buffalo. It marked the third instance where those two tailbacks surpassed 100 yards rushing in the same game. UW is 52-5-2 all-time when two or more backs eclipse 100 rushing yards.

Tanner Mordecai, Wisconsin football quarterback throwing the ball against Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium

THREE

Senior quarterback Tanner Mordecai, a transfer from Southern Methodist, made his UW debut with 24 pass completions vs. Buffalo. Wisconsin predecessors with at least one career outing with 24 or more passes completed include Darrell Bevell (35, 31), Ron Vander Kelen (33), Joel Stave (30, 29, 26, 24, 24), Tyler Donovan (27), Scott Tolzien (27) and John Stocco (24). Notable by his absence is Russell Wilson, whose best showing during his record-setting season in 2011 was 23 completions.

Luke Fickell, Wisconsin football head coach

FOUR

This will be the ninth time the Badgers will play a true road night game vs. a current Pac-12 member. They are 1-7 with losses to UCLA and USC in 1953; USC in 1966; Arizona State in 1968; Colorado in 1994; Oregon in 2001 and Arizona State in 2013. The lone victory came vs. Oregon in 1977.

Tanor Bortolini, Wisconsin football, blocking against Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023 at Camp Randall Stadium.

FIVE

Badgers' center Tanor Bortolini helped the O-line spark the Badgers' rushing game in the week one win. With UW rushing for 312 yards and allowing only one sack, Bortolini was named the Outland Trophy National Player of the Week. Wisconsin is well represented in the 78-year history of the Outland Trophy. The Badgers have two Outland Trophy winners in offensive tackles Gabe Carimi (2010) and Joe Thomas (2006). Most recently, center Tyler Biadasz was a finalist in 2019 and guard Michael Deiter was a semifinalist in 2018. Offensive tackles Chris McIntosh (1999) and Aaron Gibson (1998) are also former finalists.