Wisconsin football has not hosted a primetime game against a conference opponent in a long time. In fact, I was shocked when I looked back at just how long it has been.
In the past two years, the Badgers have hosted three primetime matchups. Each of those, however, was against a non-conference opponent. UW kicked off its 2021 season under the lights at Camp Randall against FCS Illinois State. In 2022, Wisconsin football hosted night games against Eastern Michigan and Army.
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The last primetime Big Ten football game played in Madison had unique circumstances. Remember former Badgers quarterback Graham Mertz? Remember his electrifying performance against Illinois in 2020? The game in which the much-heralded former four-star recruit’s five touchdowns captured the attention of NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes? That was the last time Camp Randall hosted one of UW’s conference rivals in primetime.
If you want to find the last time fans attended a nighttime conference game at Camp Randall, turn the calendar back to 2018. Sophomore running back Jonathan Taylor rushed for 221 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 41-24 rout of the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Well, Wisconsin football fans, for those of you waiting since 2018, your long wait is nearly over.
Wisconsin Football to Host Two Primetime Matchups Against Big Ten Rivals Per Report
Brett McMurphy of Action Network HQ reported the kickoff times for Big Ten football games televised on NBC this upcoming season. Wisconsin football will host three games carried on the conference’s newest television partner.
NBC’s B1G schedule, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ, if no games flexed to different networks. All times ET
Sept 23 Maryland at Mich St 3:30 pm
Sept 30 Illinois at Purdue 7:30 pm
Oct 7 Purdue at Iowa 7:30 pm
Oct 14 Iowa at Wisconsin 3:30 pm
Oct 21 Minnesota at Iowa 3:30 pm
Oct 21…— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 26, 2023
Syndication The Des Moines Register
The Iowa Hawkeyes are slated to visit Madison on October 21st. Wisconsin and Iowa will reportedly play their matchup for the Heartland Trophy in the 2:30 PM Central window.
As previously reported by Ryan Glasspiegel, Ohio State’s first trip to Camp Randall since 2016 will be played in primetime. This matchup between the Buckeyes and Badgers will kick off at 6:30 PM Central on October 28th. OSU has not lost to UW since
Wisconsin Football: Braelon Allen Receives B1G Preseason Honors
The last Big Ten opponent to play in primetime in Madison returns for another nighttime matchup against Wisconsin football. First-year head coaches Luke Fickell of the Badgers and Matt Rhule of the Nebraska Cornhuskers will square off on NBC under the lights at 6:30 PM Central on November 28th. Although it will be the first meeting between Fickell and Rhule, it will be the final annual matchup for the Badgers and ‘Huskers as the conference scraps divisions in 2024.
A shocking fact: the #Badgers have not hosted a conference game in primetime since Graham Mertz’s electrifying performance against Illinois in 2020.
The last conference game played at Camp Randall in front of fans was October 6th, 2018.
It’s been too damn long. https://t.co/YRL9agJn1A
— Kedrick Stumbris (@KedrickStumbris) July 26, 2023
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