The legendary rivalry between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Nebraska Huskers will see another legendary chapter on December 15. The rivals have already met twice during the regular season. However, those matches didn’t go Wisconsin’s way. Now, after winning multiple NCAA Tournament matches, the two Big10 volleyball titans will clash one last time this season to determine who’ll move forward.

Looking at their most recent clashes, you think Nebraska is the clear favorite. The Huskers have already defeated the Badgers twice during the regular season. In fact, both matches were statement victories for Big Red, as the Badgers couldn’t even win a single set out of the combined six. Yet, despite the apparent disadvantage, Wisconsin’s coach, Kelly Sheffield, isn’t too worried.

“If you’re a team that has lost the previous two, the obvious question is: Do they believe that they can win?” said Sheffield during a press conference. While the Badgers coach believes the Nebraska volleyball team is confident in their abilities, he accepts they won’t underestimate their longtime rivals. After all, Wisconsin has won seven of their last ten clashes.

“A thought that somebody’s going to take somebody for granted… that just doesn’t happen with competitors. There’s too much at stake,” the Wisconsin Badgers’ coach told the media. “You’re going to get everybody’s best no matter how many times that you (have) beaten somebody,” added the coach, implying the past results won’t matter in the upcoming clash.

Kelly Sheffield also expressed confidence in the mindset of his players. “I think our players believe, and so I don’t think that’s going to be a problem on our end,” said the veteran coach. However, he also didn’t dismiss how “highly driven” both teams are to join the final four. And Coach Sheffield was right, as the Huskers weren’t underestimating their rivals, either.

The Nebraska volleyball team isn’t looking past their opponents

As last year’s runner-up, the Nebraska Huskers look to redeem themselves and hoist the NCAA trophy. However, they still overcome the Wisconsin Badgers to reach the final four. So the BIG10 champions are also focused on the task at hand. Although the team has dominated the Badgers twice in November, they are also not underestimating Wisconsin.

“It’s hard to defend any team that has a really good balance,” said NU volleyball setter Bergen Reilly about facing their rivals. “They’re going to be a tough team to stop, so I think just kind of focusing on that going in,” the Sophomore said during NU’s own presser. So it’s safe to say that the rivals largely share the same mindset going into their regional final clash.

It’s also difficult to pick a favorite when looking at the history of the two teams. The Badgers and the Huskers have faced off 24 times, with Wisconsin leading the rivalry 13 to 11. However, a deeper look reveals more nuance, as hosts Nebraska have a winning record of 7-4 on home court. The Huskers are also on a 43-game undefeated streak at the Devaney Center.

It seems Coach Sheffield has best summed up the upcoming clash. “I think you’ll see two really highly driven teams. That should make it a lot of fun,” said the Wisconsin volleyball coach. So who will you put your money on? Tell us in the comments.