One of the newest Wisconsin Badgers just learned about one of the oldest college football rivalries in a funny way. Offensive line coach Eric Mateos was working on recruiting content on his social media accounts and accidentally found out how "sensitive" Minnesota fans actually are. He then proceeded to double down and pour gas on the rivalry. He then proceeded to watch it burn in a hilarious online troll.
It all started with a mostly innocent post on X in which his main goal was to bring to light 2028 recruiting. His goal was to point out that he wants to bring in top offensive linemen from all over the country. He made multiple posts with a similar formula. It started with how many days until the 2028 contact period becomes live, then a player or multiple players from a state or region currently in his offensive line room, followed by "Who are the top OL from the same area?"
When he got to Minnesota, he added a little jab with the word "steal." He might as well have poked the hornet's nest. His comments were flooded with Golden Gopher fans, mostly doing their normal annoying online schtick. He quickly responded in two ways. First, "I'm learning how sensitive these folks are." This made Wisconsin fans laugh and also flood his comments with support. Second, he posted a meme of an MMA fighter saying, "I'd like to take this chance to apologize to absolutely nobody!"
I’m learing how sensitive these folks are. https://t.co/ZNnSQ120PD
— Eric Mateos 🦡 (@CoachMateos) June 14, 2026
Eric Mateos is learning about the Minnesota vs. Wisconsin rivarly in the most hilarious way
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Wisconsin fans were loving it and loved that instead of backing off, ignoring the Minnesota fans, or any other option, he threw gas on the fire. That's the part that endeared him to Wisconsin fans. He's fully part of the rivalry now and is willing to hedge his best with the Badgers. While some coaches may just ignore it, not sure if their paths will ever lead toward their rival, Mateos doesn't care. He double-downs.
He may be the newest Badger coach, but he's already fully embraced the rivalry and gone beyond many of his colleagues on staff.
While Mateos mentions Emerson Mandell in this X post as an example of a Badger from Minnesota, along the offensive line. Mateos has yet to offer any 2028 offensive linemen from Minnesota. It doesn't help that the state doesn't have anyone even ranked in the class yet, according to 24/7 Sports.
Yet, you have to believe that if or when a player from that class along the offensive line does stand out and begin to get some high-major love, Mateos will be leaning in. Not just because this is part of the bit now, but because he truly is looking for top linemen that fit his system from all over the country. He has offers to players from 15 different states already out in the 2028 class. So, if there's a Badger in Minnesota, Mateos will truly try to "steal" him, as he should. Wisconsin fans will love every minute of it.
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