Badger of Honor
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Wisconsin Football: 10 best Badgers games since 2010

By Tanner Nestle

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Paul Chryst and Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after winning the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 30: Head coach Paul Chryst and Alex Hornibrook #12 of the Wisconsin Badgers celebrates after winning the 2017 Capital One Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WI – NOVEMBER 18: Chris Evans #12 of the Michigan Wolverines is brought down by Ryan Connelly #43 and T.J. Edwards #53 of the Wisconsin Badgers during the fourth quarter of a game at Camp Randall Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

8. November 18th, 2017 vs #21 Michigan

Wisconsin beats Michigan to remain undefeated

The 2017 schedule was the gift from the football gods in exchange for the 2016 schedule. After having one of the roughest stretches in the country for more than a month, the Badgers had the exact opposite situation in 2017. The schedule was so weak it haunted the Badgers all year. The only tough game on the slate was a home bout against Michigan. A rematch from the previous year and the single game the Badgers had any chance of losing all season.

Wisconsin’s defense held Michigan’s offense in check for pretty much the entire game. The problem for the Badgers was Michigan’s defense was doing just the same to them. The only points in the first half for the home team came off an improbable punt return from Nick Nelson. Michigan eventually responded and the score was tied 7-7 at halftime.

After a Michigan field goal in the third quarter, there was worry that it would be all Michigan would need to win. After all, they had held Wisconsin to just seven points the previous year. When the Badgers faced a third-and-long on the fringe of field goal range, they lined up in the shotgun and Alex Hornibrook made one of the best throws of his career to A.J. Taylor for a score. Hornibrook gave his team the lead for good. Kendric Pryor added another touchdown on a sweep play before the quarter was over.

Final score: Wisconsin 24, Michigan 10

Wisconsin needed to get by Michigan to remain undefeated and keep any College Football Playoff hopes alive. The defense proved to be legit under the first-year coordinator Jim Leonhard and Hornibrook proved his worth.