Badgers Football 2025-2026

[Voyageur]

This game feels like a 45-10 game. And I don't know how they will put up the 10.

Is it odd that I'm fearful of them pulling an upset in one of these games. Guess I just don't want McIntosh or Fickell strutting around and it will just be false hope.

If they get 10 it will be because the feel sorry for them and let them score. Even if they fell down and let them run free, there's a chance the Badgers would have to punt.

 

[Voyageur]

I don't know if I mentioned it but I intend doing two shots of tequila and downing a couple of Miller Genuine Draft before the game starts so I'm numb to what's happening on the field.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Nice job by the first half Badger defense.

The question is no longer "Will the Badgers win again this season?" The question is: "Will the offense ever score again?"

Loser mentality at the end of the 1st half. 1st and 10, past the 40 with 2 timeouts and you run the ball to run out the clock?

Fickell needs to go!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I don't know if I mentioned it but I intend doing two shots of tequila and downing a couple of Miller Genuine Draft before the game starts so I'm numb to what's happening on the field.

I'll do the same, every time The Badgers score a TD!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Anyone know why the Badger game is being shown from a blimp like view?

Its's almost as annoying as watching a Duck's basketball game on their court!

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[milani]

If they get 10 it will be because the feel sorry for them and let them score. Even if they fell down and let them run free, there's a chance the Badgers would have to punt.

Badgers scored!!!!

 

[Voyageur]

The Badgers played their hearts out. This was the best performance I've seen by them since Fickell arrived in Madison. The defense came up big and held Oregon in check until they finally wore down because of the depth problems due to injuries. But a couple of players who hadn't gotten any real playing time merged as being something special. One, a true freshman, Mason Posa. After watching him play I wonder why he hasn't been getting time on the field because this kid plays with the instincts of a top level linebacker and at 6-3, and the potential to put some muscle on his 210# frame could be a difference maker. He's not real fast but his instincts offset that. He runs a 4.6-40.

Another true freshman, Cooper Catalano was all over the field as well. At 6-1 and around 225#, his 4.7-40 is a tad slower but he paired well out there with Posa. They showed poise beyond being freshmen. My concern is now in keeping these two guys because they might opt to go elsewhere if the program is in the dumpster.

If Fickell does get fired, Tressel, the defensive coordinator should get the job until the end of the season. He might surprise a few people before the season is over. It's at least worth finding out what he has in the tank as a head coach if we move forward without Fickell.

 

[Firethorn1001]

Don't know if improvement or if mother nature was the great helper in this game.

They really need to look at the roster and play young guys. Outgoing seniors and any guy that they have caught a whiff of going into the portal need to have their playing time reduced and have it go to someone they might want to keep around. It's a new world with NIL and you can't have the 'This guy is sticking around 4 years anyways so, if he isn't ready he isn't ready' mentality so that thought process needs to go out the door along with concerns about redshirting. Carter Smith? Don't care if ready or not. You don't play him at all he is probably gone. Show him you have a commitment to him maybe it helps him stick around.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I full admit, I didn't watch the entire game, just part of the first half.

The defense actually put up a fight and they covered the spread, so I guess that is a good thing?

No doubt that expecting too much out of your 3rd string QB, on a team like the Badgers, is a big ask. That said, 7 points is about all you can hope for, against a decent team like Oregon.

As if there was any question about this possibility even 4 weeks ago, but I believe with that loss, the Badgers are officially eliminated from bowl contention.

 

[Voyageur]

I mentioned Posa earlier in this thread. Here's a post he made.

#Badgers LB Mason Posa: “I think I broke the quarterback’s nose. I was pretty happy. I saw him bleeding a little bit.”

Now I think I like him more. This is the Watt mentality. "Punish them!" Make them remember you're out there and you'll be back.


https://x.com/seamus_rohrer/status/1982290959812747397

 

[Firethorn1001]

#Badgers LB Mason Posa: “I think I broke the quarterback’s nose. I was pretty happy. I saw him bleeding a little bit.”

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[Pokerbrat2000]

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You beat me to it! I was thinking the exact same thing!

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[Pokerbrat2000]

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[Pokerbrat2000]

This should surprise nobody. If McIntosh were smart, he would have fired Fickell last month and been in that locker room every day after, telling the CURRENT players his plan for fixing things. Worrying about 2026 recruits and beyond? How many of the current players will hit the Transfer Portal as soon as humanely possible?

Wisconsin football in desperation mode as Chris McIntosh is calling recruits

As the Badgers' 2025 season sinks even further after dropping to 2-6, the pressure to retain recruits from the 2026 class has intensified. Wide receiver Tayshon

badgerofhonor.com

 

[Firethorn1001]

If your AD feels it necessary to call recruits, you are in trouble

 

[Voyageur]

This should surprise nobody. If McIntosh were smart, he would have fired Fickell last month and been in that locker room every day after, telling the CURRENT players his plan for fixing things. Worrying about 2026 recruits and beyond? How many of the current players will hit the Transfer Portal as soon as humanely possible?

Wisconsin football in desperation mode as Chris McIntosh is calling recruits

As the Badgers' 2025 season sinks even further after dropping to 2-6, the pressure to retain recruits from the 2026 class has intensified. Wide receiver Tayshon

badgerofhonor.com

What's he trying to do? Drive then away? He should stay away from it.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

What's he trying to do? Drive then away? He should stay away from it.

Yup. Smells like panic when the DC is calling a HS kid and begging for them not to decommit.

McIntosh might be a bigger problem than Fickell. I wouldn't be that unhappy if neither are around next year.

 

[Voyageur]

Yup. Smells like panic when the DC is calling a HS kid and begging for them not to decommit.

McIntosh might be a bigger problem than Fickell. I wouldn't be that unhappy if neither are around next year.

I see McIntosh going too. I agree on it being desperation. Potential recruits can smell the uncertainty and won't be part of it.

 

[Voyageur]

Skyler Bell. Do you recognize the name? He was a Badger. He left because the staff didn't use him. He wasn't good enough. Look up his stats. He has a better receiving record than than the entire Badgers team this year in his new digs.

If that doesn't tell you how bad this coaching staff and the QBs are, nothing will.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Skyler Bell. Do you recognize the name? He was a Badger. He left because the staff didn't use him. He wasn't good enough. Look up his stats. He has a better receiving record than than the entire Badgers team this year in his new digs.

If that doesn't tell you how bad this coaching staff and the QBs are, nothing will.

Pretty much the same thing with Chimere ****, for some reason the coaching staff reduced his playing time during his final year at Wisconsin and he said "FU, I am transferring out of here to play with Graham Mertz at Florida." He finished the 2024 season with 42 receptions for 783 yards and two touchdowns. Which was enough to get the attention of the Titans and they drafted him in the 4th round. He has been stellar at punt and kick returns so far for the Titans.

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Heck, even his receiving stats, don't trail Matthew Golden by much.

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I don't remember exactly why the Badger coaches stopped playing him, but when he was at Florida, here was one of the headlines he created:

Former Wisconsin Badger Chimere **** having Big Impact with Florida Gators​

Florida Gators wide receiver Chimere **** is not just playing well on the field, he's proving to be an invaluable mentor to the younger players.

 

[Voyageur]

Skyler's story. I see the same thing playing out in the NFL. Guys that were at Wisconsin and finished their careers under Fickell getting limited playing time and excelling in the NFL. Something is totally out of whack with this program.

Former Wisconsin wideout leads college football in receiving after career day

Former Wisconsin wide receiver Skyler Bell had a career day in UConn's 38-19 win over UAB on Saturday.

badgerswire.usatoday.com

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Skyler's story. I see the same thing playing out in the NFL. Guys that were at Wisconsin and finished their careers under Fickell getting limited playing time and excelling in the NFL. Something is totally out of whack with this program.

Former Wisconsin wideout leads college football in receiving after career day

Former Wisconsin wide receiver Skyler Bell had a career day in UConn's 38-19 win over UAB on Saturday.

badgerswire.usatoday.com

Sadly, I think we will stop seeing that. Since I honestly think that top HS recruits are looking elsewhere and will continue to, until the Badger program turns things around, if they do.

 

[Voyageur]

Sadly, I think we will stop seeing that. Since I honestly think that top HS recruits are looking elsewhere and will continue to, until the Badger program turns things around, if they do.

They might as well face reality. What Fickell had at Cincinnati was strictly a fluke. I think he was ready to leave because he knew it was a house of cards.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

They might as well face reality. What Fickell had at Cincinnati was strictly a fluke. I think he was ready to leave because he knew it was a house of cards.

While I do agree with you....

In Fickell's defense, when he was at Cincy the transfer portal and NIL money didn't exist in the way that it does today. So while Fickell's performance as a Badger Football coach can be greatly put into question, I think that the UW's preparedness, or lack there of, for NIL and the TP, had a big part of those Fickell cards falling.

I am guessing that the stats haven't been compiled yet, if they even can be. However, I would love to see graphs of TOTAL NIL money and transfer portals, in and out, and how teams success rates played out with each. The TP numbers should be weighted by "value" of said player going in or out of a program.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Skyler's story. I see the same thing playing out in the NFL. Guys that were at Wisconsin and finished their careers under Fickell getting limited playing time and excelling in the NFL. Something is totally out of whack with this program.

Former Wisconsin wideout leads college football in receiving after career day

Former Wisconsin wide receiver Skyler Bell had a career day in UConn's 38-19 win over UAB on Saturday.

badgerswire.usatoday.com

As I have thought about this, something to expound on popped into my head. I think Fickell brought a whole new attitude to Wisconsin and it wasn't the same "kumbi ya, we are all a family, aw shucks" attitude that Paul Chryst might of had. Why does that matter? My guess is PC allowed star players a little more slack on discipline. Fickell, not so much. You come late to practice, you sit on the bench for a quarter or 2. Which I think is probably what was instilled in him during his time at OSU.

I also can't put enough emphasis on the TP and NIL changes. Players couldn't move around as easy before them, nor were their instant financial gains to do so. They stuck it out and did their best to make it to the NFL. Now, a star player doesn't like a coach, and/or gets a big NIL opportunity, he is gone to greener pastures.