October 9: Minnesota
The Badgers will open their Big Ten home season in style, facing rival Minnesota in the 2010 Homecoming game. The Wisconsin-Minnesota series is the longest-running rivalry in Division 1-A football at 115 games; and following an heroic 31-28 Badger victory in Minneapolis last season, the 116th meeting between these two foes will surely be a battle to the grit to see who comes away with Paul Bunyan's Ax. The Badgers own the all-time series lead 36-24 and have claimed the trophy and bragging rights for the past six seasons. This is one game certainly no player or fan wants to concede.
October 16: Ohio State
A week after riding the emotions that come with both Homecoming and the Minnesota rivalry, the Badgers will again take the field at Camp Randall in possibly the most anticipated matchup of the season. Taking on the defending Rose Bowl champions, Wisconsin will look to avenge a disheartening 31-13 loss to the Buckeyes in Columbus last year. The Badgers have not beaten Ohio State since 2004, but this six o'clock
matchup under the lights in front of a national TV audience could be just what Wisconsin needs in search of a possible conference title and national recognition.
October 23: At Iowa
Last season, the Badgers suffered a frustrating 20-10 defeat at home against the Hawkeyes, their second loss in a row and one that threatened to disrupt the entire 2009 campaign. Iowa went on to finish the year 11-2 overall, including an impressive win over Georgia Tech in the FedEx Orange Bowl, while Wisconsin recovered to win
five of their last six contests. In 2010, Iowa again stands poised to contend for a Big Ten title, and Iowa City has always proven to be a tough place for any visiting team. By the end of this contest, Badger fans should have a pretty good idea of where their team is headed the rest of the season.
November 20: At Michigan
It's true, this isn't your father's Michigan football team. The Wolverines are coming off of two of the program's worst seasons, in which the team claimed just three conference victories combined. And even though last November saw a 45-24 trouncing of Michigan at Camp Randall—one of the most lopsided wins for the Badgers against the Wolverines ever—the fact remains that this is still Michigan football, and this is still the Big House. Wisconsin has not won at Michigan Stadium since the 1994 season and only five times ever. This, however, might be the Badgers' best opportunity to steal a victory in recent memory.
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