The Badgers were led by second-year head coach Gary Andersen, were members of the new West Division of the Big Ten Conference, and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium.

The Badgers started off the regular season with a neutral site game against the LSU Tigers in Houston, Texas.

[8] Wisconsin's new starting kicker, freshman Rafael Gaglianone, made his first career field goal with a 51-yarder in the first quarter; his celebratory dance after making the kick was covered by some sporting news sites such as Bleacher Report.

[19] Statistical Leaders Melvin Gordon set a personal best against Bowling Green, rushing 253 yards on 13 carries for five touchdowns.

Gordon was named the Big Ten Player of the Week for his performance against Bowling Green; he shared the honor with Nebraska Halfback Ameer Abdullah.

[23] Statistical Leaders Badgers Sophomore linebacker Vince Biegel was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week as a result of his performance against the Boilermakers.

[24] Statistical Leaders Prior to the game it was announced by both the Nebraska and Wisconsin athletic departments that the two teams would now play for the Freedom Trophy.

[25] The game was referred to as a showdown between two Big Ten runningback Heisman Trophy candidates; Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon.

The Badgers then scored 56 unanswered points before Nebraska answered with a final touchdown at the end of the fourth quarter.

The previous holder for fastest 2,000 yards was Penn State running back Larry Johnson who accomplished the feat on 251 carries in 2002.

The last time the rivalry determined a Big Ten Conference champion was in 1962 when #3 Wisconsin defeated #5 Minnesota for a berth to the 1963 Rose Bowl.

On Melvin Gordon's first carry of the game, he broke a tie with Ron Dayne for the Big Ten Conference and team single season rushing record.

Gordon now ranks fourth in FBS history for single season rushing yards behind only Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders (2,628 in 1988), UCF's Kevin Smith (2,567 in 2007) and USC's Marcus Allen (2,342 in 1981).

Statistical Leaders Wisconsin lost the 2014 Big Ten Championship to Ohio State 59–0 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Prior to the game, the all-time series between the two schools was tied 1-1-1 and Wisconsin won the last meeting 28–14 in the 2006 Capital One Bowl.

(as of November 30, 2014) Note: G = Games played; COMP = Completions; ATT = Attempts; COMP % = Completion percentage; YDS = Passing yards; TD = Passing touchdowns; INT = Interceptions; EFF = Passing efficiency Note: G = Games played; ATT = Attempts; YDS = Yards; AVG = Average yard per carry; LG = Longest run; TD = Rushing touchdowns Note: G = Games played; REC = Receptions; YDS = Yards; AVG = Average yard per catch; LG = Longest catch; TD = Receiving touchdowns Note: G = Games played; PR = Punt returns; PYDS = Punt return yards; PLG = Punt return long; KR = Kick returns; KYDS = Kick return yards; KLG = Kick return long; TD = Total return touchdowns Note: G = Games played; FGM = Field goals made; FGA = Field goals attempted; LG = Field goal long; XPT = Extra points made; XPT ATT = XPT attempted; TP = Total points Note: G = Games played; P = Punts; YDS = Yards; AVG = Average per punt; LG = Punt long; In20 = Punts inside the 20; TB = Touchbacks Note: G = Games played; Solo = Solo tackles; Ast = Assisted tackles; Total = Total tackles; TFL-Yds = Tackles for loss-yards lost; Sack–Yds = Sack(s)–yards lost; INT = Interceptions; PDef = Passes defended; FF = Forced fumbles; FR = Forced recoveries