Wisconsin Football Flashback: The last time #5 ranked Badgers visited Champaign things didn’t go so well. A review of that road loss to the Illini.
Apologies for stirring bad memories, but this is a Wisconsin football flashback to unhappier times. Specifically, 10 years ago when the #5 ranked Badgers visited Champaign.
Wisconsin found a way to lose despite dominating much of the box score. Here’s hoping we don’t see a repeat this Saturday.
Wisconsin lost to Illinois 31-26 in an unsightly display as turnovers, injuries, and penalties doomed the Badger cause.
Wisconsin Badgers Football
Sadly, I was actually in attendance for this one with my dad and my aunt. It made for a good road trip as my grandma lived in Urbana. I visited Champaign often growing up and retain many fond memories of the community.
But that visit was the only time the sea of Illini blaze orange in the dining room at Clark Lindsey Village made me see red (or cardinal, whatever).
In the game, Illinois raced to a 17-0 lead before the Badgers finally woke up and trimmed the deficit to 17-13 early in the third quarter. The teams traded touchdowns before the Wisconsin defense got a stop.
The Badgers had the ball twice in Illinois territory down 24-19. But Tyler Donovan threw some bad interceptions into coverage to erase the threat.
Illinois scored a touchdown, Wisconsin answered back. But the Illini were able to run out the clock. I stormed out of the stadium as some Illinois fans shared their opinions on my presence.
There’s even highlights on YouTube with some sick music behind it.
Travis Beckum caught 11 passes for 160 yards for the Badgers who lost Luke Swann to injury during the game. PJ Hill ran for 83 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown. Donovan was 27/49 for 392 yards with two touchdowns and the two crushing picks.
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So am I worried about an ugly Wisconsin football flashback this Saturday? Nah. A #5 Badger team visiting Champaign in October is just about the only similarities.
I don’t consider it a Badger apostasy to acknowledge the 2007 Wisconsin team was definitely overrated as a #5. Bucky was undefeated entering the game but hadn’t been dominating an underwhelming schedule. Illinois’ only loss was its season opener to Missouri and they had upset #21-ranked Penn State.
In addition, Juice Williams, Rashard Mendenhall, and Arrelious Benn won’t be on the opposing sideline. Frankly, nobody approaching that level of talent will be. At present, the talent and experience gap is far too wide between Wisconsin and Illinois.
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That 2007 loss actually cost Wisconsin a Rose Bowl shot. Illinois and Wisconsin finished with identical 9-4 records but the Illini got the right to go to Pasadena. They were promptly rolled by USC 49-17. The Badgers lost to Tennessee 21-17 in one of the most unwatchable Outback Bowls in history.
Those stakes assuredly won’t be as high on Saturday against a moribund Illinois team. But I would like some closure.