Badgers football 26-27

[Voyageur]

The new version of the Badgers is getting mixed reviews. ESPN is giving them a lot of love. More so than anyone else. Here's their predictor, game by game, for this upcoming season.

• *Week 1: Wisconsin (7.0%) vs. Notre Dame (93.0%)
• Week 2: Wisconsin (99.0%) vs. Western Illinois
• Week 3: Wisconsin (94.7%) vs. Eastern Michigan
• Week 4: Wisconsin (19.7%) at Penn State (80.3%)
• Week 5: Wisconsin (69.3%) vs. Michigan State (30.7%)
• Week 6: IDLE
• Week 7: Wisconsin (55.8%) at UCLA (44.2%)
• Week 8: Wisconsin (23.2%) vs. USC (76.8%)
• Week 9: Wisconsin (27.8%) at Iowa (72.2%)
• Week 10: Wisconsin (72.0%) vs. Rutgers (28.0%)
• Week 11: Wisconsin (53.8%) at Maryland (46.2%)
• Week 12: Wisconsin (61.3%) at Purdue (38.7%)
• Week 13: Wisconsin (68.4%) vs. Minnesota (31.6%)

They're underdogs in only 4 games, which surprises me. For openers, I don't see them as favorites to beat UCLA on their turf. It just doesn't seem to be something that will happen. If their predictions come true, that would put the Badgers at 8-4 which I think would be an amazing year. Padding their stats are the games against Western Illinois, and Eastern Michigan. Not really teams that make your 8-4 standout. A couple of non-conference games like those are look good in the win column but had they chosen middle of the road D-1 caliber teams, I think they'd lose one or two of them.

In addition to not having confidence in winning the UCLA game, I'm going to have to wait to see if they can beat Purdue in Lafayette and beat Minnesota in Madison before I get too high on them as being a decent team. I'm not convinced Fickell has figured it out yet or ever will as the Badger HC.

 

[Firethorn1001]

My interest level in the Badger's this year is so horrible that I forgot the season started this weekend...

 

[milani]

My interest level in the Badger's this year is so horrible that I forgot the season started this weekend...

You ever hear of the Fickell Finger of Fate Award?

 

[Firethorn1001]

You ever hear of the Fickell Finger of Fate Award?

Sock it to me

 

[Voyageur]

That flying fickle finger of fate is about to land on the Badgers at Lambeau Field when the Irish lay one on them that resembles the 222-0 stomping Georgia Tech laid on Cumberland College back in 1916. If it happens, the discussions as to who will be replacing Fickell will begin in earnest. To be candid, it couldn't start too soon, and in my opinion, should have already began.

 

[weeds]

The storyline on Green Bay media isn't really "the game". It's "economic impact" as usual. College Football is now going the way of the NFL in my world. I just read that the University of Miami has a guy who is in his 8th year (not a typo -- EIGHTH YEAR) of eligibility. I may be a churlish old man but I'm thinking I can find something I can find something else to do. I do LOVE the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate reference ... made me laugh.

 

[milani]

The storyline on Green Bay media isn't really "the game". It's "economic impact" as usual. College Football is now going the way of the NFL in my world. I just read that the University of Miami has a guy who is in his 8th year (not a typo -- EIGHTH YEAR) of eligibility. I may be a churlish old man but I'm thinking I can find something I can find something else to do. I do LOVE the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate reference ... made me laugh.

Well, I can give you another reference.
" 7 Years of college down the drain! "

 

[El Guapo]

As a former Badger fan and current fan of a nearby rival, I just don't see it. Fickle does not seem to be the right coach. In recent years I hear all the excuses about injuries. No doubt they play a factor, but he has to deal with them just like all of the other coaches. He isn't recruiting up to Wisconsin's standards and isn't coaching up the guys that he does get.

 

[Voyageur]

As a former Badger fan and current fan of a nearby rival, I just don't see it. Fickle does not seem to be the right coach. In recent years I hear all the excuses about injuries. No doubt they play a factor, but he has to deal with them just like all of the other coaches. He isn't recruiting up to Wisconsin's standards and isn't coaching up the guys that he does get.

I don't think Fickell was the right choice to guide the Badgers either. That said, it's not the only problem they have. Another problem, and it's big, NIL money. The Badgers will never be able to compete in that area with schools that have alumni with way too much money to spend enhancing their team's ability to draw the top players with financial rewards.

What's happened is that college sports have become professional, no matter how you look at it. Even last year's rise of Indiana to a national championship was created by the vast amounts of money that was made available to the Hoosiers to recruit the best players out there to make it happen. A natty just plain costs a lot of money.

I believe Fickell is in his last year as the Badgers head coach to be honest. At best, next to last. In a way, if they gave him this year and one more, Wisconsin might find themselves in a position where they could bring someone else in who could at least bring the Badgers up to a level consistent with the money they get to invest in NIL.

What's almost sad this year is that the Badgers could actually end up at 8-5 and get a bowl bid. That would cement Fickell's reign longer despite the fact that they don't play any of the top dogs in their own conference this year and the record would be misleading. It would lead to one or more extra years of frustration and put the Badgers in a deeper hole relating to NIL money, because donors would start to abandon them.

 

[milani]

Do y

I don't think Fickell was the right choice to guide the Badgers either. That said, it's not the only problem they have. Another problem, and it's big, NIL money. The Badgers will never be able to compete in that area with schools that have alumni with way too much money to spend enhancing their team's ability to draw the top players with financial rewards.

What's happened is that college sports have become professional, no matter how you look at it. Even last year's rise of Indiana to a national championship was created by the vast amounts of money that was made available to the Hoosiers to recruit the best players out there to make it happen. A natty just plain costs a lot of money.

I believe Fickell is in his last year as the Badgers head coach to be honest. At best, next to last. In a way, if they gave him this year and one more, Wisconsin might find themselves in a position where they could bring someone else in who could at least bring the Badgers up to a level consistent with the money they get to invest in NIL.

What's almost sad this year is that the Badgers could actually end up at 8-5 and get a bowl bid. That would cement Fickell's reign longer despite the fact that they don't play any of the top dogs in their own conference this year and the record would be misleading. It would lead to one or more extra years of frustration and put the Badgers in a deeper hole relating to NIL money, because donors would start to abandon them.

Do you think anyone else in the Big Ten would look to get Fickell?

 

[Voyageur]

Do y

Do you think anyone else in the Big Ten would look to get Fickell?

I don't know to be honest. He has an abrasive style. Which schools/teams would consider that acceptable? I don't know of any to be honest, but that's just my opinion.

He's also pretty much lost credibility when it comes to NIL donors, and as a recruiter, he's lost a lot of respect because of how they did not utilize players effectively and it's already showing. Example, Dillin Jones and his first game with LSU. Over 100 yards rushing at 5.0 yard per clip, and 2 touchdowns. Had he stayed with Wisconsin, he'd have been lucky to get any carries at all. Why? He'd been pretty much written off by Fickell and his staff because they lacked the talent to utilize him properly.

We keep hearing that players are leaving Wisconsin for NIL money. To a degree that's probably true. But even more important, players are leaving because they want to play, not be the scapegoats as to "why" the Badgers aren't playing up to the level they should. It's had a major effect on game attendance, concession sales, and even more important, NIL money is starting to slip because people don't write huge checks to promote losing.

 

[weeds]

I'm Catholic and from Wisconsin... it'd be funny to see Notre Dame go down...

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[Firethorn1001]

I'll consider it a good start to the season if there are meaningful minutes in the 4th quarter

 

[Firethorn1001]

Replay guys gotta protect the blue bloods

 

[gopkrs]

Badgers got screwed by replay

 

[Pugger]

Replay guys gotta protect the blue bloods

That call to let ND keep the ball is right up there with Fail Mary.

 

[milani]

That call to let ND keep the ball is right up there with Fail Mary.

Just not a replay of last night in Ann Arbor.

 

[Firethorn1001]

Who knew there was a secret clock that is someplace that no one ever knew existed until last night

 

[DoURant]

Just not a replay of last night in Ann Arbor.

I've been a Michigan fan all my life... that being said, I think that call was a travesty. I don't care what anyone says, heck, call me a conspiracy theorist if you want to, but that call was partially made to protect the betting platforms. I am so fed up with the incompetence of sports in the year 2026, that I'm seriously to the point of not watching/supporting ANYMORE sports, whether it be in person, or on TV, if they are going to allow this to continue....and that includes the Packers. This crap needs to end! What's the point of replay, if it's going to fail this badly? There has to be alterior motives contributing to the failure of replay, and $$$ is probably high on the list. Ex. #2.... Look at the KO play tonight... the Notre Dame player's foot clearly touched out of bounds before gaining possession of the ball, and they still gave them the ball. If he goes out of bounds, he can't recover the muffled kickoff, should have been Wisconsin ball.

Okay... My Do U Rant is over.... Carry on

 

[Firethorn1001]

Well.. almost got to the 4th quarter for meaningful minutes. Offense still stuck in 2nd gear.

 

[DoURant]

oof, that Interception is gonna hurt

 

[Firethorn1001]

After this weekend I have no idea what constitutes game over, possession on a fumble and now, targeting

 

[gopkrs]

The Badgers played tough. Surprisingly, their O line is their Achilles heel. The qb could play if he had any time.

 

[Pugger]

The Badgers played tough. Surprisingly, their O line is their Achilles heel. The qb could play if he had any time.

Yes. OL at Wisconsin was one of the strengths of this team for years. I'm not surprised or upset other than getting blasted on national television. It might be a blessing if they don't go bowling again this year. Another poor seasin might be what will cause a change in direction in Madison.

 

[Pkrjones]

I don't think Fickell was the right choice to guide the Badgers either. That said, it's not the only problem they have. Another problem, and it's big, NIL money. The Badgers will never be able to compete in that area with schools that have alumni with way too much money to spend enhancing their team's ability to draw the top players with financial rewards.

What's happened is that college sports have become professional, no matter how you look at it. Even last year's rise of Indiana to a national championship was created by the vast amounts of money that was made available to the Hoosiers to recruit the best players out there to make it happen. A natty just plain costs a lot of money.

I believe Fickell is in his last year as the Badgers head coach to be honest. At best, next to last. In a way, if they gave him this year and one more, Wisconsin might find themselves in a position where they could bring someone else in who could at least bring the Badgers up to a level consistent with the money they get to invest in NIL.

What's almost sad this year is that the Badgers could actually end up at 8-5 and get a bowl bid. That would cement Fickell's reign longer despite the fact that they don't play any of the top dogs in their own conference this year and the record would be misleading. It would lead to one or more extra years of frustration and put the Badgers in a deeper hole relating to NIL money, because donors would start to abandon them.

Fickell's buyout after the '26 season is $19.2mil, but is well worth it to salvage the team. He's been a disaster & needs to go.

Probably too late to get Jim Leonhard back to Madison, as he's now the DC in Buffalo.