MADISON, Wis. -- Before Wisconsin's players ever took the field against Minnesota on Saturday, they knew their quest to reach the league championship game in Indianapolis was complete. Nebraska's loss to Iowa one day earlier handed the Badgers a Big Ten West title without them actually needing to beat the Gophers.
Of course, Wisconsin still had so much more to play for in the regular-season finale at Camp Randall Stadium. Honoring its senior class. Capturing Paul Bunyan's Axe. And, most important, staying alive in the College Football Playoff race.
The happy home sendoff nearly ended in an unexpected disaster.