What are the Wisconsin Badgers Saying Before Playing Minnesota?

History lessons, battling back from injury, and potentially declaring for the NFL Draft

Madison, WI - Fans all know what is on the line Friday morning when the Wisconsin football team takes on the Minnesota Gophers. Bowl-eligibility, (in my opinion) is first-and-foremost - a 23rd consecutive season of it. That streak, the third-longest active in the country, is older than most players who will be on the field at Camp Randall.

On top of that, however, is yet another installment in the oldest, most-played rivalry in major college football. The Badgers are trying to stop Minnesota from claiming Paul Bunyan’s Axe for the third time in four seasons - something the Gophers have not done since 1990.

Let’s throw the fact that, earlier this season, Wisconsin lost to Iowa for a third year in a row. That hasn’t happened since 2005.

I don’t think it’s melodramatic to say that if the Badgers can’t pull this one out on a sleepy Black Friday morning, the Wisconsin football program will have hit a low that it has not seen in a long, long time.

Yesterday’s podcast, linked above, detailed the biggest problem with the Badgers defense under current defensive coordinator Mike Tressel. From scheme to talent, there is plenty of blame to go around.

This week, three player representatives from the Badgers addressed the media. Here’s what they shared ahead of Wisconsin’s potential season finale.

James Thompson Jr. Returns From Injury

James Thompson Jr. suffered a torn pectoral muscle shortly before the Badgers took the field in Week 1. Subsequent surgery was supposed to sideline the defensive lineman “indefinitely,” but, with everything on the line, it could not keep the redshirt senior out any longer.

Braedyn Locke on History of Wisconsin-Minnesota; Playing in the Cold

I know people are tired of hearing how much of a “master of the playbook” Badgers quarterback Braedyn Locke is, but I think it is probably true. This week, the Rockwall, Texas native spent some time nerd-ing out about the history of rivalries in college football and discussed how he is preparing to play in the coldest game of his career.

Ricardo Hallman Addresses Senior Day Plans

Wisconsin football listed cornerback Ricardo Hallman as one of several players planning to go through Senior Day festivities ahead of Friday’s game. Hallman’s addition as a redshirt junior was notable due to his additional eligibility and NFL Draft prospects.

Here’s what Hallman had to say about his plans for after this season, and how he’s preparing for a potent Minnesota passing-attack.