What Is 2006 Wisconsin Badgers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2006 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 12–1 record and winning the 2007 Capital One Bowl 24–17 against Florida. Head coach Barry Alvarez led the team in his final season before retiring, with Bret Bielema taking over as head coach for the bowl game.

Key Facts

Finished the 2006 season with a 12–1 overall record
Won the 2007 Capital One Bowl 24–17 over Florida
Ranked No. 7 in the final AP Poll
Rushed for 2,775 yards, led by RB John Stocco and RB P.J. Hill
Head coach Barry Alvarez retired after the regular season

Overview

The 2006 Wisconsin Badgers football team had one of the most successful seasons in program history, marking the end of an era under head coach Barry Alvarez. Competing in the Big Ten Conference, the team finished the regular season undefeated in conference play with an 11–1 record before losing the Big Ten Championship tiebreaker to Ohio State due to head-to-head results.

Despite not playing in the conference title game, the Badgers earned a berth in the Capital One Bowl, where they defeated the Florida Gators 24–17 in Barry Alvarez’s final game as head coach. The team finished ranked No. 7 in the final Associated Press (AP) Poll, showcasing a balanced offense and a disciplined defense.

Record: The Badgers finished the season with a 12–1 overall record, their best since 1999, including a 7–1 mark in Big Ten play.
Head Coach: Barry Alvarez stepped down after the regular season, finishing with a 118–74–4 career record at Wisconsin, and was succeeded by defensive coordinator Bret Bielema.
Bowl Victory: Wisconsin defeated the Florida Gators 24–17 in the 2007 Capital One Bowl on January 1, 2007, at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
Quarterback: Senior John Stocco started all 13 games, throwing for 2,374 yards and 18 touchdowns with only 6 interceptions.
Rushing Attack: Running back P.J. Hill rushed for 1,053 yards as a true freshman, becoming the first Badger to surpass 1,000 yards since 1995.

How It Works

The success of the 2006 Wisconsin Badgers stemmed from a disciplined, run-oriented offensive scheme and a stout defense that ranked among the national leaders in fewest penalties and turnovers. The coaching transition from Alvarez to Bielema was seamless, with Bielema leading the team in the bowl game.

Run-First Offense: The Badgers relied on a power-running game, averaging 195.6 rushing yards per game, led by P.J. Hill and fullback Quinn Johnson.
Defensive Discipline: Wisconsin allowed only 17.9 points per game, ranking 11th nationally, and forced 24 turnovers on the season.
Turnover Margin: The team led the Big Ten with a +14 turnover margin, thanks to strong ball security and opportunistic defense.
Special Teams: Kicker Travis Coons made 18 of 21 field goals, including a long of 47 yards, providing reliable scoring.
Coaching Transition: Alvarez retired after 16 seasons; Bielema, promoted in December 2006, coached the bowl game and began a new era.
Recruiting Pipeline: The team benefited from strong in-state recruiting, with 18 of 22 starters from Wisconsin or nearby Midwestern states.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2006 Wisconsin Badgers with other top Big Ten teams and national contenders from the same season:

Team	Overall Record	Big Ten Record	Points Per Game	Final AP Rank
Wisconsin	12–1	7–1	28.2	No. 7
Ohio State	12–1	8–0	34.5	No. 1
Michigan	11–2	7–1	32.8	No. 9
Florida	13–1	7–1	34.1	No. 2
LSU	11–2	N/A	37.6	No. 3

The 2006 Badgers outperformed most of their peers in defensive efficiency and ball control, despite playing a tougher schedule than several ranked teams. Their victory over a future national champion Florida team added significant credibility to their season.

Why It Matters

The 2006 season was pivotal for Wisconsin football, marking both the end of the Alvarez era and the beginning of sustained success under Bielema. The team’s performance solidified Wisconsin as a consistent national contender in the late 2000s.

Legacy of Alvarez: Barry Alvarez retired as the winningest coach in program history, having led Wisconsin to three Rose Bowl victories.
Foundation for Bielema: The 2006 season set the tone for Bielema’s tenure, which included three consecutive Big Ten titles from 2010–2012.
Recruiting Boost: Success in 2006 helped Wisconsin attract higher-rated recruits, including future NFL players like Joe Thomas.
National Recognition: The Capital One Bowl win over Florida elevated Wisconsin’s national profile and proved they could beat elite programs.
Program Momentum: The season helped Wisconsin achieve four straight bowl wins from 2004–2007, a program first.
Historical Benchmark: The 12–1 record tied the 1999 team for most wins in a single season at the time.

The 2006 Wisconsin Badgers remain one of the most respected teams in school history, remembered for their toughness, discipline, and role in transitioning the program into a new era of sustained excellence.