The Wisconsin Badgers have just done something in the first half that they haven't done all season. Score points in both quarters. The Big Ten Network posted that stat, and the first reaction was to check the other two wins to see if it was true. It is: against Miami (OH), Wisconsin didn't score in the second quarter. Against Middle Tennessee, Wisconsin didn't score in the first quarter. The rest of the year, the offense has been miserable.
This may be good news when it comes to upsetting Illinois. Wisconsin is one of the worst teams in scoring in FBS and is clearly the worst in the Big Ten, but thanks to the seven points in the first quarter and the three points in the second, they lead at halftime 10-7.
Our loyalty has never been tested more 😠pic.twitter.com/zV0cWdeE5v
— Ryan (@BrewPack8) November 23, 2025
Wisconsin has scored points in the first two quarters for the first time this season
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The Badgers scored the first touchdown in their opening drive. Jeff Grimes had a specific package dialed up for true freshman Carter Smith, and it worked wonders. He didn't have a single incompletion in the entire first half. The lone incompletion came against Hunter Simmons, who is responsible for the other three points (well, him and Nathaniel Vakos).
Towards the end of the first half, Wisconsin was able to hold Illinois to a three-and-out and forced them to punt. Luke Fickell called a timeout, and the punter shanked it. Simmons then came in to lead the 2-minute offense. He got them into field goal range, and that's how Wisconsin took the lead.
Wisconsin's defense held the Illini to only 7 points in the first half, and the upset bid is officially on for the Badgers. Could it happen? The second half needs to be a repeat of the first, if so.