Chris Brooks Jr. celebrates vs. Maryland

David Stluka

Football September 30, 2025

Baggot: Five things to know - Badgers battle #20 Michigan

Wisconsin takes on #20 Michigan on the road

The overall history hasn’t been too kind to the Wisconsin football team when it comes to playing Michigan, but the recent results might surprise you.

The Badgers are 6-4 in their last 10 meetings with the Wolverines going back to 2007. The only other league school with a winning record vs. Michigan in that span is Ohio State, also 6-4. Iowa and Michigan State are both 5-5.

Going back to 2005, the Badgers (2-2 overall, 0-1 in the Big Ten) still have a winning record in this rivalry (7-6). That includes a pair of one-sided victories in Ann Arbor: 49-11 in 2020 and 48-28 in 2010.

Meanwhile, Wisconsin is 9-11 in this series going back to 1993, respectable when you know Michigan (3-1, 1-0) has won two national championships during that span (1997, 2023) and claimed 11 Big Ten titles since 1990.

Here are five more things to know about Wisconsin’s duel with No. 20 Wolverines Saturday at Michigan Stadium:

Wisconsin defense celebrates vs. Miami (OH)

A BATTLE ROYALE

Wisconsin leads the nation in rushing defense, limiting opponents to 50 yards per game, 2.11 yards per attempt and two touchdowns overall. The Badgers have held all four foes under 75 yards on the ground, the longest streak of its kind since 2009 when they did it over the course of seven games. The current unit is sure to be tested by the Wolverines, whose run game is ranked eighth nationally. They average 253.5 yards overall, 6.67 yards per attempt and have scored 15 TDs.

Darrion Dupree carries the ball vs. Maryland

THE ROCK IS HEAVY

The Badgers are 8-0 under Coach Luke Fickell when they produce a 100-yard rusher, but have gone nine consecutive outings without one. The most recent was Tawee Walker vs. Rutgers (24 carries, 198 yards) and Northwestern (23-126) in 2024. The other 100-yard rushing performances came from Braelon Allen vs. Buffalo (17-141), Purdue (16-116), Rutgers (21-101), Illinois (29-145), Minnesota (26-165) and against Oklahoma State in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in 2022 (22-116). Chez Mellusi also surpassed the century mark vs. Buffalo in ’22 (13-157).

Luke Fickell leads the team out of the tunnel

OCTOBER SURPRISE?

Wisconsin is 5-3 in the month of October under Fickell and 61-36 (.629) overall going back to 2000. The Badgers have had five seasons with perfect Octobers (1-0 in 2020, 4-0 in ’17, 2-0 in ’13, 4-0 in ’06 and 4-0 in ’04) and three with losing marks (1-3 in 2008, ’02 and ’01).

Colin Cubberly blocking vs. Maryland

TIMELY STAT

For what it’s worth, the Badgers are 11-3 overall under Fickell when having the upper-hand in time of possession. They are currently ranked fifth nationally in TOP at 34 minutes, 35 seconds. Incidentally, Michigan is ranked 98th nationally in time of possession at 28:39.

Vinny Anthony II returns the ball vs. Maryland

IN A GROOVE

Senior wide receiver Vinny Anthony has caught at least one pass in 15 straight games. He’s chasing, among others, Alex Erickson, who had receptions in 19 consecutive outings spanning the 2014 and ’15 seasons en route to ranking 10th on the all-time UW list.

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