We are Wisconsin's biggest rival in football?

the UP is just considered technically Michigan by us here in Wisconsin. more packers fans then lions fans there and they'd be state fans not michigan fans when it comes to college

I was born and raised in the UP (as a huge M fan) and went to high school and college in Madison.  So I have a unique perspective on this question. 

People forget that UW used to SUCK BAD.  They were the basement of the BIG forever until Barry Alvarez showed up.  I was at the game at Camp Randall when the students stampeded after they beat us for the first time in many many years.  I definitely think UW wants to beat UM worse than any other team; just because it's a benchmark of their relevance. There was once a time that they never even believed it was possible.

I've been in Madison to see the atmosphere when the Badgers played OSU in a night game, when they played Iowa for first place (at the time) in the Big Ten, etc.  The atmosphere with Michigan was as wild or wilder than any of them.  Our colors make their blood boil.  Seeing our equipment truck in the little parking lot at Camp Randall made them crazy.

You could not have stated it any more clearly, we are easily one of the two most important home games for every one of our opponents, and with rare exceptions we are Number 1.

This is why Michigan and OSU HAD to be separated for B1G divisional play.  The rest of the league simply would not tolerate being in an "other" division that lacked both.

I have to be honest, I went to the Illinois game this year expecting the worst possible treatment from their fans, and my friends and I didn't even get harassed once. I realize this is just a single anecdote but I gotta say based on what I'd heard I was expecting at least a LITTLE bit of friction.

We never played them every year.  They've never been a protected rival.  It doesn't matter though.  Everyone considers Michigan a big game.

So I guess that would make us number 3?

with your posting.  Especially now that MSU stands in the way of making it to the big ten championship game, and since getting to and winning the big ten every year is our goal - I'd say there's even hightened importance of beating MSU every year.

I understand your thought that MSU is still the 3rd most important game, but don't tell me over the last 4 years you haven't been going crazy during the MSU game.  I also agree that it's more important for MSU to beat Michigan than Michigan to beat MSU in any given year.

Thats because their year is (usually) based on that game. So I get that too - but especially in lieu of recent events (not beating them for four years) I would consider them a rival.  Add in the fact that most years now we're gonna have to beat them to accomplish our "main goal" for the season, I don't think we can deny it anymore.  I also hate Dantonio and his perpetual "piss face" - and after the shenanigans they pulled this year - I want to pound them into the turf every single year from here on out and put them in their rightful place in the state - in the back of the jeep in the carseat.

Edit: Sorry for the offtopic discussion, but couldn't resist. I hate "UCF" more and more each year....

Wisconsin:   "You know, Michigan, we've done some really great, important, things together over the last few years.  I just want you to know.... I love you."

Michigan:   "Oh, thanks Wisonsin, I think you're great too..."

fellow Dane County UM fan here. glad they finally upgraded camp randell those troughs were disgusting 

damnit I wish you were wrong

It looks like the middle girl's shirt says "SUCKS".



I wish they had advertised that well when I was in college.

Michigan has two trophy games as well, and neither of those teams we consider to be major rivals.

So the next three seasons for them are really going to suck.  Honestly, given how many times MSU has fucked up Wisconsin's football/basketball seasons in the past few years, I can't imagine how any Badger fan doesn't hate Sparty with the power of a thousand suns.