They were led by fourth year head coach Barry Alvarez and participated as members of the Big Ten Conference.

Over the course of the season, Wisconsin was the top team in the Big Ten in terms of passing efficiency, with QB Darrell Bevell recording an impressive 155.2 in that category.

The Badgers lost in a stunning upset to a mediocre Minnesota team in their annual rivalry game for their first and only loss of the season.

Footage from this game held at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome was used in the television series Coach to represent the fictional Minnesota State and West Texas Universities in the "Pioneer Bowl" at the Alamodome.

The Badgers finished their most successful season since 1962, highlighted by their first Rose Bowl win, as they defeated the UCLA Bruins 21–16.