The Zeitgeist List · rivalries
Freedom Trophy
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →Wisconsin leads the all-time series 13–5. They've met 18 times since 1901. Wisconsin once took 9 straight.
Stature & the series, 1901–2024
Both programs’ standing over time in their colors, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won.
all-time
13–5
Wisconsin leads
streak
1
Nebraska in a row
longest run
9
Wisconsin
biggest win
39
Wisconsin, 2012
first met
1901
18 meetings
biggest crowd
89,886
2015
The coaching duels
Bret Bielema vs Bo Pelini2–1
Paul Chryst vs Mike Riley3–0
Paul Chryst vs Scott Frost3–0
Milt Bruhn vs Bob Devaney0–2
John Jardine vs Tom Osborne1–1
Luke Fickell vs Matt Rhule1–1
The draft ledger
Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.
draft picks
150–217
Nebraska leads
1st-rounders
22–26
since
1967
first CFBD-carried draft class
1960s0–6
1970s8–48
1980s22–34
1990s20–48
2000s44–41
2010s37–28
2020s19–12
Best picks, either side
1984Irving Fryar Wide ReceiverRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
1984Dean Steinkuhler Offensive TackleRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
2010Ndamukong Suh Defensive TackleRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
2007Joe Thomas Offensive TackleRd 1, pick 3#3 overall
1991Bruce Pickens Defensive BackRd 1, pick 3#3 overall
1991Mike Croel LinebackerRd 1, pick 4#4 overall
1974John Dutton Defensive TackleRd 1, pick 5#5 overall
1994Trev Alberts LinebackerRd 1, pick 5#5 overall
Recent meetings
2024Nebraska44–25
2023Wisconsin24–17
2022Wisconsin15–14
2021Wisconsin35–28
2019Wisconsin37–21
2018Wisconsin41–24
2017Wisconsin38–17
2016Wisconsin23–17
2015Wisconsin23–21
2014Wisconsin59–24
2012Nebraska30–27
2012Wisconsin70–31
2011Wisconsin48–17
1974Wisconsin21–20