Badgers Football 2025-2026

[Voyageur]

The Badgers actually started the game like a team that had a chance to be a better team than I thought possible. Hunter Simmons looked like a respectable QB until they decided to experiment by switching back and forth at QB. Taking the opening kick and going down the field and scoring against Michigan is no easy task.

Michigan lived up to their big play reputation in the opening drive. It took just a couple of minutes to even the score.

Wisconsin does not have the depth on defense to challenge across the front. It was evidenced in this game. They tired significantly in the nearly hot weather. On offense, the line of scrimmage ended up owned by the Wolverines because we don't have that big farm boy mentality that drove the Wisconsin lines to be so good for decades. The size/strength/determination just doesn't add up to being a competitor in the style of game the Badgers are trying to project.

Sadly, I don't see it ever happening down the road with Fickell. I don't think he has the charisma to attract the quality players that translates into a big-time winning program.

 

[Heyjoe4]

1st time in forever that I completely didnt care about the game. I was out of town and didnt even try to see the progress of the game and think I remembered to look at night. Zero surprise at the outcome.

It's disappointing that it's gotten to this. I don't set aside any time on Saturday anymore to watch the Badgers. I was around in the horrid years before Alvarez arrived, and history is starting to repeat.

Pretty sad that a coach as well known as Fickell hasn't been able to put together a competitive team. Although the portal and NIL have hurt UW and a lot of other schools. The next coach will have to be skilled in those two areas.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The Badgers actually started the game like a team that had a chance to be a better team than I thought possible. Hunter Simmons looked like a respectable QB until they decided to experiment by switching back and forth at QB. Taking the opening kick and going down the field and scoring against Michigan is no easy task.

Michigan lived up to their big play reputation in the opening drive. It took just a couple of minutes to even the score.

Wisconsin does not have the depth on defense to challenge across the front. It was evidenced in this game. They tired significantly in the nearly hot weather. On offense, the line of scrimmage ended up owned by the Wolverines because we don't have that big farm boy mentality that drove the Wisconsin lines to be so good for decades. The size/strength/determination just doesn't add up to being a competitor in the style of game the Badgers are trying to project.

Sadly, I don't see it ever happening down the road with Fickell. I don't think he has the charisma to attract the quality players that translates into a big-time winning program.

That's been a part of the Badger's story for a few years now. Play a top 20 or top 10 team well in the 1H, only to revert in the 2H.

They could get a new coach, but that's not their biggest problem. Fickell is a good coach with limited talent available. They need someone - either a coach or AD - to figure out how to game the portal and NIL to their advantage.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

1st time in forever that I completely didnt care about the game. I was out of town and didnt even try to see the progress of the game and think I remembered to look at night. Zero surprise at the outcome.

I was the same. Decided that since the Packers had a bye, it was a "No Football weekend" for me. Was actually kind of nice and something I may consider long term. While I still love my Packers, tired of the money being made by the NFL. Only way to push back....stop paying attention.

 

[Firethorn1001]

While I still love my Packers, tired of the money being made by the NFL. Only way to push back....stop paying attention.

I've watched significantly less football this year. I know I've watched less NFL this year, but that might be more attributed to just the Packers schedule not being in a rhythm (Thursday night, Sunday night, Bye week). My wife was even commenting yesterday that it was really hard to get into football this year.

College might be solely because of the Badgers, but I think NIL is playing into that.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I've watched significantly less football this year. I know I've watched less NFL this year, but that might be more attributed to just the Packers schedule not being in a rhythm (Thursday night, Sunday night, Bye week). My wife was even commenting yesterday that it was really hard to get into football this year.

College might be solely because of the Badgers, but I think NIL is playing into that.

I was thinking the same things. Last week the Badgers had a bye and the Packers were on Monday night Football, took that weekend off from football too.

I have been paying a lot more attention to the Brewers. Also, as I have been doing for a long time, I love watching the Badger Women's teams in both Volleyball and Hockey. I will never give up my love of sports, but honestly, I have more fun and get more satisfaction watching the 2 women's programs than Men's Football, Basketball and Hockey.

Money has absolutely killed my love of most professional and now college sports.

 

[milani]

The Badgers actually started the game like a team that had a chance to be a better team than I thought possible. Hunter Simmons looked like a respectable QB until they decided to experiment by switching back and forth at QB. Taking the opening kick and going down the field and scoring against Michigan is no easy task.

Michigan lived up to their big play reputation in the opening drive. It took just a couple of minutes to even the score.

Wisconsin does not have the depth on defense to challenge across the front. It was evidenced in this game. They tired significantly in the nearly hot weather. On offense, the line of scrimmage ended up owned by the Wolverines because we don't have that big farm boy mentality that drove the Wisconsin lines to be so good for decades. The size/strength/determination just doesn't add up to being a competitor in the style of game the Badgers are trying to project.

Sadly, I don't see it ever happening down the road with Fickell. I don't think he has the charisma to attract the quality players that translates into a big-time winning

I've watched significantly less football this year. I know I've watched less NFL this year, but that might be more attributed to just the Packers schedule not being in a rhythm (Thursday night, Sunday night, Bye week). My wife was even commenting yesterday that it was really hard to get into football this year.

College might be solely because of the Badgers, but I think NIL is playing into that.

The team fan bases are still devoted and nuts to a degree as always. Where I think the NFL loses is with the lukewarm fans who are not necessarily pro football fans. They have to be lured into watching games. So you see this TNF, SNF, 2 MNFs, Sunday morning football. And now a controversial SB halftime show which in itself is should be irrelevant especially 4 months before the game is even played.

 

[Heyjoe4]

The team fan bases are still devoted and nuts to a degree as always. Where I think the NFL loses is with the lukewarm fans who are not necessarily pro football fans. They have to be lured into watching games. So you see this TNF, SNF, 2 MNFs, Sunday morning football. And now a controversial SB halftime show which in itself is should be irrelevant especially 4 months before the game is even played.

Good points. It used to be like clockwork on Sunday - the Packers played at noon. Now that's an exception.

And it's hard to keep track of the fragmented streaming and broadcasting, so I don't pay much attention to MNF anymore, and even less to TNF, with the now dreadful Al Michaels calling plays. C'mon Al, call it a career and watch reruns of calling the US Men's hockey victory over Russia, in what, 1980?????

 

[PikeBadger]

Wow. 37-0. The end is near. No improvement being made. Very bad look. Change is a coming.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The Badgers are still playing College Football?

 

[milani]

Wow. 37-0. The end is near. No improvement being made. Very bad look. Change is a coming.

To get blown out on home field is horrific.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

To get blown out on home field is horrific.

Wait till next Saturday when The #1 Buckeyes take the Field.

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[Thirteen Below]

Wait till next Saturday when The #1 Buckeyes take the Field.

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I am planning to start drinking sometime Friday evening, and by Saturday evening I won't even notice if we go to a nuclear war with China.

I have to protect myself emotionally.

 

[Firethorn1001]

I'd be shocked if they move on from Fickell until sometime in 2026. That buyout is an albatross. Although maybe he would negotiate a buyout to move on and not carry this to 2026 because at this rate if he is this horrible in 2026, I dont see him coaching a major school ever again. They really screwed this up. Badly. But that's ok Barry, we're spoiled and nothing is wrong.

 

[Voyageur]

They're relying on a 3rd string QB who was actually a backup at Southern Illinois University, and he wouldn't even have been a starter there this year and wasn't invited back as a grad student player. Fickell's bag of tricks in recruiting is non-existent.

 

[Heyjoe4]

They're relying on a 3rd string QB who was actually a backup at Southern Illinois University, and he wouldn't even have been a starter there this year and wasn't invited back as a grad student player. Fickell's bag of tricks in recruiting is non-existent.

I know recruiting is a lot harder with the portal, but one reason Fickell was hired was his recruiting prowess. Starting a 3rd string QB who backed up at the powerhouse southern Illinois kinda sucks.

 

[milani]

I am planning to start drinking sometime Friday evening, and by Saturday evening I won't even notice if we go to a nuclear war with China.

I have to protect myself emotionally.

I wonder if the Buckeyes will play most of their 2's to avoid injury.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I wonder if the Buckeyes will play most of their 2's to avoid injury.

They may take it easy on us and bring the Chess team.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The Badger Football Program is in a real Fickell. Even if they don't fire Fickell before the season ends, there will be a mass exodus through the Transfer Portal come November. Throw in NIL sources may just want to hold off throwing money at the program until things get better and you have yourself a real conundrum.

This program may see themselves drop lower than the Morton Era.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I wonder if the Buckeyes will play most of their 2's to avoid injury.

OSU will wait until the 2H, with the score Buckeyes 41, Badgers 0 - then we'l see OSU's second team. Or maybe if it's 28-0 after Q1.

It wasn't always like this. The Alvarez years provide good memories. But those days are past. I truly don't know what will become of Badgers football. Maybe just memories of the Alvarez years.

I have no idea how the AD turns this around. No idea.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I truly don't know what will become of Badgers football.

Poor recruiting and the Coach losing his players.

I didn't watch the game, until after the Brewer game. But it only took me about 20 minutes to FF to the end. The Badgers final drive told me all I needed to know. Fickell didn't even try to put points on the board, that is loser mentality and how you lose every player.

 

[Voyageur]

Poor recruiting and the Coach losing his players.

I didn't watch the game, until after the Brewer game. But it only took me about 20 minutes to FF to the end. The Badgers final drive told me all I needed to know. Fickell didn't even try to put points on the board, that is loser mentality and how you lose every player.

It's over for Fickell. The people putting money into the program are going cancel their support in huge numbers. Losing the $8 mill a year in salary he'll get might be a lot cheaper for the program than keeping him and losing all that money coming in from other sources which can never be recouped.

If I'm McIntosh, I've already bought a pair of knee pads so I can kneel before Jim Leonhard, asking him to come home and bring some assistants in the house who understand what makes the Badgers work in the Big 10. Wisconsin's biggest recruiting zone was always in the Chicago area, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, which RBs out of New Jersey and all points East. WRs were from all over, and QBs, in this day and age, need to be "bought" with NIL money that will choke a horse.

My biggest concern is that McIntosh will not pull the plug on Fickell, and the entire program ends up incapable of competing in the Big 10 for a decade. You don't come from the bottom of the heap to the top overnight. Right now, even Northwestern looks like a two-TD+ better team than the Badgers. We could be #18 on the list. The seats are going to start being vacant and that's not going to go over well. Comparing his program to Morton? Morton may have been a better organizational coach than Fickell.

 

[Heyjoe4]

It's over for Fickell. The people putting money into the program are going cancel their support in huge numbers. Losing the $8 mill a year in salary he'll get might be a lot cheaper for the program than keeping him and losing all that money coming in from other sources which can never be recouped.

If I'm McIntosh, I've already bought a pair of knee pads so I can kneel before Jim Leonhard, asking him to come home and bring some assistants in the house who understand what makes the Badgers work in the Big 10. Wisconsin's biggest recruiting zone was always in the Chicago area, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, which RBs out of New Jersey and all points East. WRs were from all over, and QBs, in this day and age, need to be "bought" with NIL money that will choke a horse.

My biggest concern is that McIntosh will not pull the plug on Fickell, and the entire program ends up incapable of competing in the Big 10 for a decade. You don't come from the bottom of the heap to the top overnight. Right now, even Northwestern looks like a two-TD+ better team than the Badgers. We could be #18 on the list. The seats are going to start being vacant and that's not going to go over well. Comparing his program to Morton? Morton may have been a better organizational coach than Fickell.

Hmmm, where is Leonhard now? Fickell is done, mostly due to things he doesn't control - the portal and NIL.

Whoever coaches the Badgers next will have the same problems. Sorry to be this negative, but what is the path to getting Wisconsin back to playing competitive football? I just can't see it.

 

[Heyjoe4]

Poor recruiting and the Coach losing his players.

I didn't watch the game, until after the Brewer game. But it only took me about 20 minutes to FF to the end. The Badgers final drive told me all I needed to know. Fickell didn't even try to put points on the board, that is loser mentality and how you lose every player.

Yeah Badger football is definitely not a "must see" event on Saturday anymore.

It's hard to tell if Fickell is as bad as he seems, or if it's the portal and NIL. Some of both, I suppose. It's depressing though to not have a reliable football team in Madison, with no end to the losing in sight.

The men's basketball program seems to be fine. So maybe the portal and NIL aren't the big problems and Fickell and his coaching bros just aren't very good.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

It's hard to tell if Fickell is as bad as he seems, or if it's the portal and NIL. Some of both, I suppose. It's depressing though to not have a reliable football team in Madison, with no end to the losing in sight.

Originally, I wanted to blame both the Portal and NIL, but I am thinking that this is more that just that. Besides a drop-off in talent, this team seems to lack any kind of preparedness, execution and an all around lack of energy. All 3 things are driven by coaches and that starts with the HC. Saturdays game was a new low in all 3 and I think the weight of it all finally hit them full force, prior to the game. Sadly, for a friend, I have a celebration of life to go to on Saturday. I won't be "sad" to miss the Badger game.

One other note and it confirmed what I have been thinking for over a year now. I ran into a buddy of mine yesterday and we talked Badgers. He knows a certain higher up in the Athletic Dept. and he flat out told my friend that the program was totally unprepared for both the Transfer Portal and NIL. While some of the major programs devoted a ton of resources to setting up the framework for it years ago, the Badgers were caught flat-footed and overwhelmed by it in both Football and Basketball.