While UW-Madison students plan to attend Saturday's football game against Nebraska with other die-hard Badger fans, UW-Madison Chancellor David Ward plans to attend the game with Gov. Scott Walker.
The game will be the first time Ward and Walker meet. University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Harvey Perlman and Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman will accompany the pair.
After the state cut over $250 million in funding to the UW System and granted it new flexibility last spring, the relationship between UW-Madison and the state is in flux.
Ward said he has not yet met Walker and thinks the game is a good environment for them to become acquainted.
""The edge will be gone because of the football and at the follow-up meeting we'll be more serious,"" Ward said.
Although he has met with other Republican leaders from the state, Ward said he has held off on meeting with Walker so he could have time to determine how he wants to lead the university.
""I thought it would be better to have my own ideas about where I want to go before meeting him,"" Ward said.
