41. Wisconsin 48, Illinois 3 (2016)

Another day, another Illinois game in the countdown. This is the fourth game against the Illini in the countdown through the first 10. In this one, the Badgers forced four first half interceptions from Jeff George Jr. as the Badgers built a big first quarter lead and they never looked back as they crushed the Fighting Illini by 45. This game was the preceding game to the last game on our countdown, the 49-20 win at Purdue. After punting on their opening possession, the Badgers scored four touchdowns in their next four drives to put the game out of reach early. They out-gained Illinois 455-200 and the result certainly showed that, as Wisconsin aimed to head to the Big Ten Championship game for fourth time in six seasons.

After trading punts to begin the contest, the Badgers grabbed the lead on their second possession. It was a short 51-yard drive that began with a toss from Alex Hornibrook to Jazz Peavy for 17 yards to the 34 of the Illini. Three runs by Corey Clement later and the Badgers were in the end zone.

Clement found the end zone again after Wisconsin safety D’Cota Dixon ended the Illini drive with the first of George’s four first half interceptions. His return to the 8 set up Clement’s touchdown run to quickly make it 14-0.

Illinois drove down for a field goal on its next drive, but that is all the Illini offense could generate all game long. Wisconsin virtually ended the game with two touchdowns on its next two drives with George’s second interception sandwiching the two touchdowns. Hornibrook threw scores to Peavy and tight end Kyle Penniston and it was 28-3.

Unlike the 2016 New England Patriots, this Illinois team had no chance at mounting the huge comeback. They reached the brink of the red zone on its next drive, but Chase McLaughlin missed a 39-yard field goal. Its final two drives of the half ended the same way—with George interceptions. Andrew Endicott booted home a 37-yard field goal following the second interception to close out the half with the Badgers leading 31-3.

The game never got any better for the visitors, as Illinois gained just 40 total yards of offense in the entire second half and only two first downs. On the other side, the Badgers scored on each of their first three possessions in the half and the rout was on.

Endicott booted home a short field goal on the first drive and Clement and Bradrick Shaw each scored touchdowns to give the Badgers the 48-3 lead. In those two scoring marches, the Badgers threw exactly one pass, a 6-yard pass from Hornibrook to Shaw on the opening play of the second touchdown possession.

It was the fourth consecutive win in six straight to finish the regular season, helping Bucky reach the Cotton Bowl and finish the season with a victory over PJ Fleck and Western Michigan.