Badgers Football 2025-2026

[Pokerbrat2000]

The sad part is that Fickell is going to be handing out scholarships to players who aren't good enough to compete at that level just to fill his roster and after he's gone the Badgers are going to have to live with those decisions for a new coach. The only chance is if they can him immediately following the MInnesota game and already have someone whom they intend bringing in to replace him. They need to strike fast to insure they can hang on to some of the new players they've given offered, and rebuild for those they've lost and you can't do it after the best are already scooped up elsewhere.

I said this a couple of months ago, it's a ripple effect. This isn't going to just effect the 2026 class, they are recruiting for the 2027 class already and given the programs current state, I doubt many top notch players are interested in even meeting with Wisconsin Scouts to discuss playing for the Badgers. So now you effectively have your pipeline to top HS talent pretty much shut off, until you start winning games on a consistent basis.

The only thing that will save the Badger Football program is an outstanding group of coaches that can convince a bunch of undeveloped, high potential players from lower programs to transfer to Wisconsin. Then they have to coach them up and pray they can resemble a Big Ten team again. Oh, and they will need a ton of NIL money as well, which also is being choked off given the current state of the program.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Meanwhile, down in Evanston, another low hanging fruit in the Big10 is about ready to move into their new almost $1B stadium. Back in Madison, on the slate is relocating the UW Athletic Hall of Fame to the Kohl Center.

Maybe the Badgers should consider moving their Football program from the Big10 to the MAC?

'Death of the nosebleed.' How Northwestern's new stadium looks to transform fan experience

Northwestern football's new Ryan Field will "put people right on top of the action in a way that feels like it's better than TV because you're so close."

www.usatoday.com

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The Badgers now have ZERO Offensive Lineman in their 2026 recruiting class.

Benjamin Novak de-committed on Wednesday and will be playing for the Indiana Hoosiers instead. Novak was the 2nd, and final OL player to pull out this week.

Wisconsin has no offensive linemen left in its 2026 class

The Badgers lost their second offensive lineman of the week on Wednesday.

www.buckys5thquarter.com

 

[Firethorn1001]

Benjamin Novak de-committed on Wednesday and will be playing for the Indiana Hoosiers instead. Novak was the 2nd, and final OL player to pull out this week.

Fickell going with no OL

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

Has Barry called the recruits and told them they were spoiled? We should try that.

 

[Firethorn1001]

Not a Fickell fan. Believe the damage done to the program is pretty significant the last 2 years in the way of recruits, but can't dispute that they are playing hard still which is impressive in itself. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope, but this offseason is going to be huge and it hasn't kicked off well that's for sure.

Can't say I saw them scoring 27. I probably would have taken the under if someone said combined Badger points the next 2 games over under 27.

Hopefully in the near future we get away from finding it necessary to storm the field when we beat a #21 team, but given that there hasn't been much to cheer about this season and it's the last game I get it.

 

[Voyageur]

Not a Fickell fan. Believe the damage done to the program is pretty significant the last 2 years in the way of recruits, but can't dispute that they are playing hard still which is impressive in itself. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope, but this offseason is going to be huge and it hasn't kicked off well that's for sure.

Can't say I saw them scoring 27. I probably would have taken the under if someone said combined Badger points the next 2 games over under 27.

Hopefully in the near future we get away from finding it necessary to storm the field when we beat a #21 team, but given that there hasn't been much to cheer about this season and it's the last game I get it.

I agree that it would be nice if we weren't in a position where the fans thought that storming the field was important with a win. Yet, when I watch that, I keep thinking that even though a lot of us, as fans, have abandoned the Fickell teams, there are those at the University who aren't doing it, and the players are responding by playing at a level that most of us believed was impossible.

Yes, I was one of those who thought Fickell should be fired. I felt that should have happened before they played Washington. Now, I don't feel the same way. I've watched the Badgers come out and beat two teams ranked in the top 25 and that's not something that could or would happen if the players on the Badgers squad had abandoned the program because of all the problems surrounding it.

I think the portal is going to have a lot to do with next year's success. I had a hunch it would if Fickell stayed anyway. There are going to be players who are already in Madison who will be stepping up and more will arrive as well. If the Badgers beat Minnesota next week, the season won't be a total loss. As long as you beat Minnesota and Bielema and Illinois, your season isn't a total waste.

 

[Voyageur]

The Badgers now have ZERO Offensive Lineman in their 2026 recruiting class.

Benjamin Novak de-committed on Wednesday and will be playing for the Indiana Hoosiers instead. Novak was the 2nd, and final OL player to pull out this week.

Wisconsin has no offensive linemen left in its 2026 class

The Badgers lost their second offensive lineman of the week on Wednesday.

www.buckys5thquarter.com

I'm not going to panic. I have a hunch the portal will play a big part in next year's team. As far as the offensive line, this year saw a few underclassmen who will be back next year step up and get playing time over the last 3 games. These are players that have two or three years of additional eligibility left and may very well be exactly what's needed next year.

If you look at how they performed over the last three games, there's hope.

Where we hurt next year is going to be at QB and probably RB, as well as we do need some help at WR. As far as defense, we may have one of the best LB crews in the nation next year, and the DL has always had players step up. We do lose some of our deep backs but we have seen glimpses of what could be from the underclassmen who have been getting more time on the field.

With a respectable QB who can make a relatively decent number of plays, this team could end up winning 6 or 7 games next year which would be pretty good under the circumstances. It might be enough to make the Fickell era at least acceptable. Who knows where it could go from there.

 

[milani]

Not a Fickell fan. Believe the damage done to the program is pretty significant the last 2 years in the way of recruits, but can't dispute that they are playing hard still which is impressive in itself. Maybe there is a glimmer of hope, but this offseason is going to be huge and it hasn't kicked off well that's for sure.

Can't say I saw them scoring 27. I probably would have taken the under if someone said combined Badger points the next 2 games over under 27.

Hopefully in the near future we get away from finding it necessary to storm the field when we beat a #21 team, but given that there hasn't been much to cheer about this season and it's the last game I get it.

Shocked! This was no way to treat Bielema for Homecoming.

 

[DoURant]

Gonna post this here, since it's College Football related.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

This is the 3rd team declining a Bowl game this year. The other 2, lost their head coach to another program, and were still fined by their Conference $500k because of obligations of the Conference. (Iowa St and Kansas St) Notre Dame being an Independent, probably won't get a fine, because of that. I get the frustration and it seems like a raw deal getting dropped a spot, when neither you nor Miami played a game this week, but it just screams entitled, and sets a bad precedent, in my honest opinion. (We didn't make the Playoffs, so we aren't playing....)

 

[Firethorn1001]

Guess it took 8 tries for Birmingham Bowl to get a team to accept. 5-7 Appalachian St. Too bad. Badgers if 5-7 probably would have accepted

 

[milani]

Gonna post this here, since it's College Football related.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

This is the 3rd team declining a Bowl game this year. The other 2, lost their head coach to another program, and were still fined by their Conference $500k because of obligations of the Conference. (Iowa St and Kansas St) Notre Dame being an Independent, probably won't get a fine, because of that. I get the frustration and it seems like a raw deal getting dropped a spot, when neither you nor Miami played a game this week, but it just screams entitled, and sets a bad precedent, in my honest opinion. (We didn't make the Playoffs, so we aren't playing....)

Could let the Badgers fill in for them.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Gonna post this here, since it's College Football related.

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

This is the 3rd team declining a Bowl game this year. The other 2, lost their head coach to another program, and were still fined by their Conference $500k because of obligations of the Conference. (Iowa St and Kansas St) Notre Dame being an Independent, probably won't get a fine, because of that. I get the frustration and it seems like a raw deal getting dropped a spot, when neither you nor Miami played a game this week, but it just screams entitled, and sets a bad precedent, in my honest opinion. (We didn't make the Playoffs, so we aren't playing....)

What a spoiled baby attitude. "If we can't play with the big boys, we aren't playing at all and going home." Personally, I think it was a dumb decision by ND, I hope it bites them in their privileged arses.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

You know things are bad when your starting Punter hits the transfer portal.

Atticus Bertrams won't be punting for the Badgers again. I mean if I am a punter, wanting to show off my leg, for a potential NFL job, I can't think of a better team than the Badgers to get maximum amount of opportunities to punt per game!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Former Wisconsin tight end calls out Badgers coaching staff for overlooking him

Leaving the Wisconsin Badgers has proved to be fruitful for a few transfers who have left in recent years. Tight end Riley Nowakowski is among those feeling mor

www.si.com

 

[Firethorn1001]

Lot of bodies coming in.

Seems like they are doing a solid job in the portal, but I've been fooled before so hard to be really enthusiastic right now.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Lot of bodies coming in.

That was a given. There is no shortage of players wanting to play football at the college level. However, the question is "How good are the Players that want to play at Wisconsin?"

I have no doubt that the spin by some will be "Luke and his staff will be fielding a very competitive team". Right, but the biggest question for me is "How competitive will his teams be in the Big10?"

 

[Firethorn1001]

That was a given. There is no shortage of players wanting to play football at the college level. However, the question is "How good are the Players that want to play at Wisconsin?"

I knew they needed guys, but generally happy with the speed in which they've brought bodies in rather than being 6 days in and only having like 5 guys.

But yes, TBD on how good are these guys. Press seems to be generally favorable to the overall quality of their transfers which gives me hope.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I knew they needed guys, but generally happy with the speed in which they've brought bodies in rather than being 6 days in and only having like 5 guys.

But yes, TBD on how good are these guys. Press seems to be generally favorable to the overall quality of their transfers which gives me hope.

Logic would dictate that the better TP players want to play for the best teams, as long as they are getting the starting job. Which means that a Team like Wisconsin will get the scraps. Maybe quality players from lesser quality teams, but still not guys that Ohio State, Alabama, etc. even have on their radars.

Now the guys that I get excited about are players like CB Bryce West. West transferred from Ohio State and probably felt he was stuck behind better corners. Then again, WR Jayden Ballard transferred from OSU to WI last year and really wasn't much of a factor.

 

[Firethorn1001]

it doesn't appear they are getting scraps that no one wants.

 

[Half Empty]

it doesn't appear they are getting scraps that no one wants.

I don't follow college ball much. Can you elaborate?

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

it doesn't appear they are getting scraps that no one wants.

I guess until I know who wanted them and if there was NIL money involved, I will assume that a lot better teams aren't "wanting" some of the guys that the Badgers are getting.

 

[Firethorn1001]

I guess until I know who wanted them and if there was NIL money involved, I will assume that a lot better teams aren't "wanting" some of the guys that the Badgers are getting.

Define 'better'. Blue bloods? Badgers weren't really beating the blue bloods out in their prime so, not sure why if they don't beat Alabama out that is an issue now or should be even remotely expected unless they are dishing out a ton of NIL money. Which I doubt.

 

[Voyageur]

It's simple enough. The Badgers do not have enough money in the NIL collective to make a huge dent in the top 10 to 15 players available for each position on the field. They aren't shopping in the high-end area of the liquor store or the expensive wine section. They're settling in looking at the cans of beer finding the lowest price for the most beer that is drinkable.

We don't have a Mark Cuban donating millions to the program or creating financial opportunities for players outside the collective through huge donors who control huge financial empires.

What we will see is if the coaching crew can turn those blue-collar athletes into guys who would fit well in a Rolls-Royce. Only one problem there. When they reach a point they'd fit in the Rolls, they're going to jump ship and go with a team that can pay them enough so they can own that Rolls.

 

[Firethorn1001]

It's simple enough. The Badgers do not have enough money in the NIL collective to make a huge dent in the top 10 to 15 players available for each position on the field. They aren't shopping in the high-end area of the liquor store or the expensive wine section. They're settling in looking at the cans of beer finding the lowest price for the most beer that is drinkable.

No they are not on the top shelf (never expected that), but doesn't appear they are drinking prison vodka either. I think there are around 3K players in portal. Badgers have 5 that are in top 250 and I think 11 overall in top 500 from the rankings I've seen.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It's simple enough. The Badgers do not have enough money in the NIL collective to make a huge dent in the top 10 to 15 players available for each position on the field. They aren't shopping in the high-end area of the liquor store or the expensive wine section. They're settling in looking at the cans of beer finding the lowest price for the most beer that is drinkable.

We don't have a Mark Cuban donating millions to the program or creating financial opportunities for players outside the collective through huge donors who control huge financial empires.

What we will see is if the coaching crew can turn those blue-collar athletes into guys who would fit well in a Rolls-Royce. Only one problem there. When they reach a point they'd fit in the Rolls, they're going to jump ship and go with a team that can pay them enough so they can own that Rolls.

Spot on!

I was digging through my couch cushions and found enough for the Badgers to get a punter from TumbleWeed Tech! I feel bad, Tech had just started up their football program and all 5 of their players have already jumped ship!