LSU hasn’t lost a non-conference home game in 4,381 days, although this game will be played in Houston.

LSU lost to a post-Michael Vick Virginia Tech team, 26-8, on Sept. 1, 2002. Since then, the Tigers have vanquished 45 consecutive non-conference foes in the regular season.

Oh, and Les Miles is 35-0 in those games as LSU’s coach.

Yes, LSU lost to Clemson in the Sugar Bowl less than two years ago. But that’s a mighty impressive streak the team tows into Saturday night’s game.

Wisconsin, meanwhile, is 43-3 against regular-season non-conference opponents since Sept. 1, 2002. The Badgers have played an SEC school five times in the last 10 seasons, all in bowl games.

Matchup Opponent Date Result
Capital One Bowl South Carolina Jan. 1, 2014 L, 34-24
Outback Bowl Tennessee Jan. 1, 2008 L, 21-17
Capital One Bowl Arkansas Jan. 1, 2007 W, 17-14
Capital One Bowl Auburn Jan. 2, 2006 W, 24-10
Outback Bowl Georgia Jan. 1, 2005 L, 24-21

Of course, the only number that will matter Saturday is the final score. A loss won’t preclude the teams from making the College Football Playoff, but as fringe/darkhorse contenders, Wisconsin as a division favorite in the Big Ten and LSU as a sleeper in the SEC West, it would be unlikely either makes the final four teams.

Another number to watch: Which team will rush for more yards? If you know the answer, you can probably peg the winner.