The Badgers, led by second-year head coach Paul Chryst, were members of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference and played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

The Badgers started off the regular season with a neutral site game against the LSU Tigers at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

[13][14] After the game ESPN Staff Writer Jesse Temple stated that "Wisconsin secured its most significant nonconference regular-season victory since 1974, when the team upset fourth-ranked Nebraska 21–20 at Camp Randall Stadium.

[17] Paul Chryst announced in a press conference that Chris Orr, who went down the first play of the game with a right leg injury, would be out for the rest of the year due to a torn ACL.

He also stated that former linebacker-turned-fullback Leon Jacobs would now play both sides of the ball at fullback in addition to inside linebacker, to regain some depth at the position due to Chris Orr's season-ending injury.

Wisconsin jumped out to an early 6–0 lead on the foot of kicker Rafael Gaglianone, who converted field goal attempts from 47 and 28 yards in the 1st quarter.

With Wisconsin struggling to make progress on offense, Paul Chryst replaced QB Bart Houston with redshirt freshman Alex Hornibrook.

Hornibrook, however, led the offense on two scoring drives - a touchdown pass to Kyle Penniston and another Gaglianone kick - to pull out the win.

The Badgers improved to 3–0 on the season, but their struggles on offense led to questions about which quarterback would start next week's crucial Big Ten matchup against Michigan State.

[22] Michigan State opened the scoring with a field goal by Michael Geiger in the first quarter on a drive started when MSU defensive lineman Raequan Williams stripped and recovered a fumble from Wisconsin's freshman quarterback.

Wisconsin answered back with a seven-and-a-half minute drive resulting in a one-yard touchdown catch by tight end Eric Steffes.

Thereafter, Wisconsin's defense shut down the Spartan offense and an interception by Sojourn Shelton in the second quarter resulted in a one-yard rushing touchdown by running back Corey Clement.

[22] Wisconsin players were lauded after the game, including freshman QB Alex Hornibrook for making his debut on the road against No.

[31] Later in August the Badgers' 3-year starter at center, fifth-year senior Dan Voltz, retired from football due to numerous injuries sustained over his career.