Wisconsin football looks to snap its two-game losing streak when it welcomes the Oregon Ducks, the No. 1-ranked team in the country, to Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday night.
The Badgers are 5-4 and still need one more win to become bowl eligible. They’re coming off their second bye week of the season following a blowout loss to Iowa.
Led by Heisman Trophy contender Dillon Gabriel, Oregon has rolled through its schedule and enters the contest 10-0 overall in its first year in the Big Ten.
Oregon is on the board first. After Wisconsin went three and out, Oregon’s Atticus Sappington capped an 11-play drive with a 35-yard field goal on its first possession to give the Ducks an early 3-0 lead.
We’ll have live scoring updates, analysis and highlights throughout the game. Refresh your browser for the latest.
The Badgers did not come to play, at least initially.
Another run into a wall on first down, a tipped pass that should have been intercepted on second down, a false start and an incomplete pass on third down that came out awkwardly with the pass rush closing in. Obviously we’re talking about the smallest sample possible, but it does not look like Wisconsin has the ability to hang with the No. 1 team in the country. UW’s six snaps have amassed negative-3 yards, and that’s not even counting the 5-yard penalty.
The Badgers will punt it away again with 8:05 left in the first quarter.
Christian Alliegro wrapped up Oregon receiver Evan Stewart for a short game on 3rd and 7 from the Badgers 18-yard line, and Wisconsin comes away with some momentum off a defensive stop, although Oregon takes the first lead of the game with a 35-yard field goal by Atticus Stappington.
Do you think this is the first game in college football history in which an Atticus has kicked the ball for both teams in the first quarter?
The Badgers should feel OK about that, but they need a much better offensive series than their first one.
OREGON 3, WISCONSIN 0, 9:01/1st
Heisman Trophy candidate Dillon Gabriel aired it out on 2nd and 6 to the 19-yard line and almost connected with receiver Evan Stewart, but the Badgers were able to fend off the completion. It was a little under thrown, but Oregon wasn’t interested in the same conservative start that Wisconsin opted for.
Gabriel then found Stewart wide open for a 10-yard pickup on third down. The Ducks are driving, already to the Wisconsin 33-yard line with 11:45 to go in the first quarter, and they’re operating with a pretty crisp tempo.
If you came into the game thinking upset, that’s not how you wanted it to start.
Wisconsin got a short pickup on first down after the kickoff sailed into the end zone, Braedyn Locke threw poorly on a checkdown and sailed it incomplete, and then he was hit before he threw on third and 10, fumbling the ball. It was picked up by teammate Darrion Dupree, at least, but it’s a loss of four yards and the Badgers have to punt after an ugly start. If Wisconsin had something dialed up through the bye week to kick this thing off with a bang, perhaps they’re saving it for the second series.
Oregon takes over at its own 40.
The Badgers won the toss and will take the ball to open this game. Obviously, Wisconsin is hoping to replicate what it did the last time it played the No. 1 team in the country, when David Gilreath returned the opening kickoff against Ohio State in an unforgettable 2010 win.
Probably not the same level of juice tonight, but still a big opportunity for Bucky. We’re about to get started.
Linebacker Jaheim Thomas, defensive tackle Curt Neal and wide receiver/return man Tyrell Henry are all part of padded warmups, with about 20 minutes to go before kickoff against Oregon. It’s a good sign that all three will play despite being listed as “questionable” on the injury report.
You’ll be shocked to learn this is a new uniform look for Oregon tonight. The program famously rolls out a litany of uniform combinations and seldom repeats, the benefit of living in the shadow of Nike headquarters.
It’s a white top and black pants for the Ducks tonight with a gray helmet and silver wings on the sides. Take a look.
Nebraska remembers, to answer the question in the headline.
Badgers standout running back Melvin Gordon is in the house tonight as UW commemorates the 10-year anniversary of his 408-yard performance against Nebraska in 2014.
Gordon banged the big NBC drum on the field before kickoff.
Hey, the 10-year commemoration worked last night for the basketball team in an upset of Arizona, perhaps the same formula applies here.
Here’s a look back at Gordon’s masterpiece.
The Badgers won’t be here in Madison on Saturday next weekend, but the field will get plenty of use Thursday and Friday when the WIAA hosts its state-football championships.
The Milwaukee area will be well represented by some familiar programs, namely Muskego and Catholic Memorial. Badgers safety Hunter Wohler (Muskego) and safety Charlie Jarvis (Catholic Memorial) are just some of the players to play on Camp Randall for a gold ball before donning the cardinal and cream. Waunakee’s Rob Booker, a freshman tight end who’s been hurt most of the year, played last year, as did reserve safety Mason Lane, who was sensational in leading Lodi to a state title in 2023. Reserve receiver Langdon Nordgaard (West De Pere) has played here, as well, and these are just my top-of-the-head names.
Take a look at that schedule. By the way, we’ll be providing live blog updates for all seven games.
Thursday, Nov. 21
Friday, Nov. 22 
Take a look at what’s been happening in the Big Ten thus far today:
Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Indiana. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti just got a big pay raise, though, after leading the Hoosiers to 10-0 to start the year.
Led by Oregon at No. 1, the Big Ten has four of the top five teams in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Here were the most recent rankings released Tuesday and the top 25 teams’ records heading into Saturday.
The Badgers have failed to cover the spread in its last two losses as an underdog.
Spread: Wisconsin (+13.5)
Money line: Wisconsin (+410), Oregon (-560)
Total points: 49.5
Odds courtesty of BetMGM
ESPN’s analytics simulator gives the Badgers a 24.4% chance of winning.
Linebacker Jaheim Thomas is the most notable name on the Badgers injury report for the game against Oregon; he’s listed as questionable. The Auburn transfer comes into the game as Wisconsin’s leading tackler with 52 stops, including a sack and two tackles for loss.
He’s joined by receiver and return specialist Tyrell Henry, who hasn’t played since the Purdue game Oct. 5, and defensive lineman Curt Neal, who would be a considerable loss if he’s unable to go with the thinness of that position group.
Among players out, none are surprises: Chez Mellusi, Tyler Van Dyke, Joe Griffin, Kamo’i Latu, Cle LaCrue, Tamer Dalloul, Evan Brown, Leyton Nelson, Rob Booker and James Thompson.
One name not on the list: receiver Bryson Green, who also hasn’t played since Purdue but is still fifth on the team in receptions and receiving yards this year.
Oregon players listed out include starting defensive end Jordan Burch, cornerback Jahlil Florence, defensive back Khamari Terrell, receiver Tez Johnson, receiver Kyler Kasper, offensive lineman Marcus Harper, offensive lineman Matthew Bedford and defensive lineman My’Keil Gardner.
Burch was injured last week against Maryland. Starting running back Jordan James, who also incurred an injury in that game, is available.
Johnson, the team’s leading wide receiver, will miss his second straight game after injuring his right arm against Michigan. Harper is the team’s starting right guard and suffered a leg injury agianst Michigan.
Can Wisconsin knock off a No. 1 team for the first time since 2010? One of our Badgers reporters gives them a chance. Luke Fickell’s team has to eventually win one of these games, right?
Mark Stewart: Oregon 35, Wisconsin 17
JR Radcliffe: Wisconsin 21, Oregon 20
More on their predictions here.
Wisconsin has the second-best passing defense in the Big Ten but its rush defense is one of the worst. Mike Tressel’s defense will be tested against All-American candidate Dillon Gabriel and a high-flying Ducks offense.
Oregon has the Big Ten’s top offense and is among the league’s leaders in defense.
All times Central
* Denotes Big Ten game
All times Central
* Denotes Big Ten game
Aug 31: vs. Idaho, W, 24-14 (1-0 record)
Sept. 7: vs. Boise State, W, 37-34 (2-0)
Sept. 14: at Oregon State, W, 48-14 (3-0)
Sept. 21: Bye
Sept. 28: at UCLA*, W, 34-13 (4-0)
Oct. 5: vs. Michigan State*, W, 31-10 (5-0)
Oct. 12: vs. Ohio State*, W, 32-31 (6-0)
Oct. 19: at Purdue*, W, 35-0 (7-0)
Oct. 26: vs. Illinois*, W, 38-9 (8-0)
Nov. 2: at Michigan*, W, 38-17 (9-0)
Nov. 9: vs. Maryland*, W, 39-18 (10-0)
Nov. 16: at Wisconsin*, 6:30 p.m.
Nov. 23: Bye
Nov. 30: vs. Washington*, TBD
Wisconsin is playing its third straight game under the lights. It lost at home to Penn State three weeks ago and then was crushed by Iowa two weeks ago before the bye.
The Wisconsin-Oregon game will be seen in primetime across the country.

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