The Badgers were coached by Bret Bielema and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

The Badgers finished the season 10–3, 5–3 in Big Ten play and beat Miami (FL) 20–14 in the Champs Sports Bowl.

On Wisconsin's first play from scrimmage, QB Scott Tolzien, a surprise winner of the quarterback competition in spring practice, threw an 80-yard touchdown strike to WR Isaac Anderson.

Spann would add a 2-yard touchdown run to cut NIU's deficit to 28–18, and QB Chandler Harnish converted the 2 point try to make the score 28–20.

On Fresno's next drive, Colburn found WR Devon Wylie on a 70-yard touchdown strike to put the Bulldogs up 14–0 in the 2nd quarter.

Wisconsin responded swiftly, with an 8-yard touchdown run off an end-around by WR David Gilreath to bring the game within a single score at 21–14.

Wisconsin K Philip Welch connected on the longest field goal in school history, a 57-yard try that cut Fresno State's lead to 21–17 at the end of the half.

Fresno, stunned but not yet beaten, rallied and drove late in the 4th quarter for the tying field goal by Kevin Goessling.

In the 2nd quarter, Michigan State responded, as Cousins found WR Mark Dell on a 14-yard touchdown pass to tie the game 7-7.

After another Michigan State interception, Tolzien drove the Badgers down the field, and RB John Clay ran for a 1-yard touchdown to give Wisconsin a 21–7 lead.

After a penalty backed the Spartans up, MSU RB Glenn Winston fumbled the ball and Wisconsin DE J. J. Watt recovered, setting up the Badgers with excellent field position.

Wisconsin drove right back into Michigan State territory, but John Clay was stopped short of the first down on a 4th and inches from the MSU 20 by LB Greg Jones.

Wisconsin was forced to punt, however, and Michigan State made the most of it, as Nichol found WR Keshawn Martin for a 15-yard touchdown.

Wisconsin punted on their next drive, and Dantonio earned the ire of the Camp Randall crowd after Nichol threw a 91-yard touchdown pass to Martin with the game hopelessly out of reach.

In the 3rd quarter, John Clay found the end zone from a yard out to give Wisconsin a 17–13 lead, and the only score of the touchdown by either team.

In the 4th quarter, Scott Tolzien found TE Lance Kendricks for a 5-yard touchdown pass to give Wisconsin a 24–13 lead.

Brad Nortman's punt was partially blocked and downed at the Minnesota 5-yard line, giving the Gophers one final chance at snapping Wisconsin's win streak.

Wisconsin ran out the remaining 30 seconds and secured Paul Bunyan's Axe for the 6th year in a row, and their first win (in their first appearance) at TCF Bank Stadium.

Ohio State entered 4–1 with a 2–0 record in Big Ten play; their only loss a heartrending defeat at the hands of USC.

Wisconsin's defense completely shut down Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor, holding him to a dismal 5 of 13 passing for 89 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Ohio State's final boost came from special teams, as KR Ray Small had a 96-yard kick return for a touchdown after a Wisconsin FG by Philip Welch.

Iowa intercepted Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien 3 times in the game to help turn their deficit into an eventual lead and win in Camp Randall.

In the 2nd half, the Badgers protected their big lead with a pair of Philip Welch field goals and another touchdown run by John Clay.

The Badgers once again answered with a touchdown drive, and Montee Ball found the endzone from 3 yards out to give Wisconsin a 31–21 lead.

In the first quarter, Scott Tolzien found TE Garrett Graham for a 22-yard touchdown pass to give Wisconsin a 7–0 lead.

Forcier led the Wolverines right back down the field and completed a 10-yard touchdown pass to WR Roy Roundtree, making the score 28–24.

After a disastrous 7–6 campaign in 2008, Bret Bielema would need significant improvements from his team if he was going to remain secure in his position as head coach.

The very next week, the Badgers returned home and suffered a baffling 20–10 loss to the rival Iowa Hawkeyes in the confines of Camp Randall Stadium, which dropped them to 5–2 overall.

After back-to-back losses to Ohio State and Iowa, both of which would go to and win BCS bowls in 2009, the Badgers faced Purdue, who they squashed 37–0 for their first shut-out in Big Ten play under Bret Bielema.

Wisconsin running back John Clay finished with 1,517 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns, winning Big Ten Player of the Year Honors.