| Team: | Wisconsin Badgers |
| Conference: | Big Ten Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Ten |
| Record: | 7 - 5 |
| Conf Record: | 6 - 3 |
| Head Coach: | Dave McClain |
| Hc Year: | 4th |
| Off Coach: | Bill Dudley |
| Oc Year: | 2nd as OC; 4th overall |
| Off Scheme: | Triple option |
| Def Coach: | Jim Hilles |
| Dc Year: | 4th |
| Def Scheme: | 3–4 |
| Mvp: | Dave Levenick |
| Captain: | Dave Levenick |
| Captain2: | Dave Mohapp |
| Captain3: | Larry Spurlin |
| Stadium: | Camp Randall Stadium |
| Bowl: | Garden State Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | L 21–28 vs. Tennessee |
The 1981 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the 1981 Big Ten Conference football season.
Several Wisconsin players ranked among the Big Ten leaders, including the following:
Wisconsin made its first bowl appearance since the 1963 Rose Bowl.
Wisconsin safety Matt Vanden Boom had three interceptions, including the game-clincher with two seconds left at his own 17. It was the Badgers first win against Michigan since 1962 and the first time they scored points against the Wolverines since 1976.
Head coach Dave McClain inserted backup Randy Wright in the fourth quarter after Minnesota took the lead for the first time, on the reason "because Cole was not having a good day throwing." Following the victory, Wisconsin accepted the bid from the Garden State Bowl to play Tennessee.[3]
| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club |
| Cornerback | 5 | 122 | Atlanta Falcons | |
| Tackle | 8 | 200 | Chicago Bears | |
| Guy Boliaux | Linebacker | 11 | 283 | Chicago Bears |
| Linebacker | 12 | 315 | Atlanta Falcons | |