What Is 2017 Wisconsin Badgers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2017 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 13–1 record and winning the Big Ten Championship. They defeated Miami in the 2018 Cotton Bowl Classic, finishing ranked No. 6 in the final AP Poll.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 13–1 record, their best since 1912
Won the Big Ten Championship by defeating Ohio State 27–21 on December 2, 2017
Defeated Miami 34–24 in the 2018 Cotton Bowl Classic on January 2, 2018
Ranked No. 6 in the final AP Poll, their highest finish since 2011
Rushed for 3,396 yards as a team, averaging 226.4 yards per game

Overview

The 2017 Wisconsin Badgers football team had one of the most successful seasons in program history, finishing with a 13–1 record and capturing the Big Ten Championship. Led by head coach Paul Chryst in his third season, the team played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, and competed in the West Division of the Big Ten Conference.

The Badgers were known for their dominant ground game and stifling defense, ranking among the national leaders in both rushing offense and total defense. Their season culminated in a victory over Miami in the Cotton Bowl Classic, securing a top-10 finish in the final national polls.

Record: The team finished with a 13–1 overall record, including a 9–0 mark in Big Ten play, making them the only undefeated conference team in 2017.
Big Ten Champions: Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 27–21 in the Big Ten Championship Game on December 2, 2017, claiming their third conference title in six years.
Cotton Bowl Victory: On January 2, 2018, the Badgers defeated the Miami Hurricanes 34–24 in the Cotton Bowl Classic, improving their all-time bowl record to 20–14.
Rushing Attack: The team rushed for 3,396 yards, averaging 226.4 yards per game, with running backs Jonathan Taylor and Taiwan Deal leading the charge.
Defensive Strength: Wisconsin’s defense allowed only 13.7 points per game, ranking second nationally and holding six opponents to 10 points or fewer.

Key Players and Performances

The 2017 season featured standout individual performances that fueled the team’s success. From freshman phenoms to veteran leaders, the Badgers relied on balanced contributions across the roster.

Jonathan Taylor: As a true freshman, Taylor rushed for 1,977 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors and finishing fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.
Bryce Baringer: The junior kicker converted 18 of 21 field goal attempts, including a long of 50 yards, providing crucial scoring in tight games.
T.J. Watt: Though he left for the NFL after 2016, his absence was filled by Zack Baun and Garrett Rand, who combined for 12.5 sacks on the defensive line.
Alex Hornibrook: The starting quarterback threw for 2,130 yards and 16 touchdowns with only six interceptions, showing significant improvement from his sophomore to junior year.
Joe Ferguson: The senior safety recorded 78 tackles and four interceptions, anchoring a secondary that ranked in the top 10 nationally in passing defense.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2017 Wisconsin Badgers compare to previous successful seasons in program history:

Season	Record	Big Ten Title	Bowl Result	Final AP Rank
2017	13–1	Yes	Won Cotton Bowl (34–24 vs. Miami)	No. 6
2011	11–3	Yes	Lost Rose Bowl (45–42 vs. Oregon)	No. 8
2007	9–4	No	Won Insight Bowl (17–14 vs. Kansas State)	Unranked
1999	10–2	Yes	Won Rose Bowl (17–9 vs. UCLA)	No. 7
1962	8–2	No	Lost in bowl (irrelevant at the time)	No. 7

The 2017 season stands out as one of the most dominant in modern Badger history, surpassing even the 2011 Rose Bowl team in win total and defensive efficiency. Their 13 wins tied a program record, and their No. 6 final ranking marked their highest since 1962.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season solidified Wisconsin’s reputation as a national powerhouse in college football, particularly in developing elite running backs and defensive units. It also elevated the program’s national profile during a period of increased competition in the Big Ten.

Recruiting Boost: The team’s success helped Wisconsin land higher-rated recruiting classes in 2018 and 2019, including five-star linebacker Leo Chenal.
Jonathan Taylor’s Legacy: Taylor became the second-fastest player in FBS history to reach 3,000 rushing yards, cementing his place among the all-time greats.
Defensive Identity: The 2017 defense allowed just 3.8 yards per play, reinforcing Wisconsin’s identity as a physically dominant team.
Bowl Revenue: The Cotton Bowl appearance generated over $5 million in revenue for the athletic department, funding facility upgrades and scholarships.
Conference Influence: Their Big Ten title strengthened the conference’s national standing, contributing to multiple teams earning New Year’s Six bowl bids.
Program Momentum: The season laid the foundation for continued success, with Wisconsin reaching 10+ wins in four of the next five seasons.

The 2017 Wisconsin Badgers remain a benchmark for excellence in Madison, remembered for their physicality, consistency, and championship pedigree.