At this point, they’re going to have to add at least one portal quarterback. Unless they really believe in TVD and he actually wants to stay around, both of which seem doubtful.TVD said he wants to stay but he is badly injured and won't get to be a part of Spring, with a new OC. I think they need to mutually pull the plug.
But there ain’t adding the talented kid from wherever he’s from, and maybe you go for next year with him as back up.
I do think an interesting thing about this portal era is going to be how some smart coaches figure out how to hold onto a couple of mid-level guys with a more drawn out promise of a chance to play.
TVD said he wants to stay but he is badly injured and won't get to be a part of Spring, with a new OC. I think they need to mutually pull the plug.98% of the time, getting two portal QBs means getting one potential starter and one Locke.
They absolutely need two QB's in the portal. They need to part ways with the Locke Brothers too.
This is Wisconsin's 2023 DB class. They are ALL in the portal.They sure couldn’t get on the field.
(https://i.imgur.com/rk3bUPW.png)
Looks like the Badgers have their OC:I like this approach. It’s a bit of a reclamation project, but ultimately the only downside is worn by the head coach.
https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2024/12/09/what-new-wisconsin-offensive-coordinator-jeff-grimes-brings-to-job/76857688007/
Also looks like Fickell wants to get back to running the ball. That seems like a good idea.
https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1866213657652457716?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1866213657652457716%7Ctwgr%5E21cf1f139025210e1c97e5d8b2eb1914911d0918%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1 (https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1866213657652457716?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1866213657652457716|twgr^21cf1f139025210e1c97e5d8b2eb1914911d0918|twcon^s1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2F247sports.com%2Fcollege%2Fwisconsin%2Fboard%2F23%2Fcontents%2Ftweets-144988831%2F%3Fpage%3D1)Not so surprising. He will be a weird part of the Fickell story no matter how it turns out.
whats going on in Madison?New OC. A lot are not good players. Team and vibes weren’t very good.
seems like a lot of players hitting the portal
too lazy to dig in and research myself
are the players leaving guys that dont play and making room for better new players?
As the world turns. Braedyn Locke enters the portal, so guarantee a new starting QB next year, and Kekahuna changes his mind, deciding to stay. Possible that Kekahuna agreed with lots of fans, that Locke wasn't the guy?That feels a little like a mad fan created narrative.
And will Locke's little brother, who just signed his LOI to Wisconsin, actually come to Madison?
Curious.
maybe little brother is better?"Little" brother is 3-4 " taller so maybe he could not do that "throw the ball into the DL's facemask" thing.
maybe little brother is better?Ok, bye now.
Ok, bye now.Surprising no one.
https://twitter.com/LandynLocke/status/1868835848239956446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1868835848239956446%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url= (https://twitter.com/LandynLocke/status/1868835848239956446?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1868835848239956446|twgr^|twcon^s1_&ref_url=)
Outkick's resident Wisconsin fan columnist, David Hookstead, notes the Badger's transfer portal exodus of nearly two dozen players has not been without unusual drama:If he could tackle, he'd still be playing safety in Madison. The coaches gave up on him. He's a heat seeking missile who could never find any heat.
"Wisconsin Badgers player sends wild tweet after entering the transfer portal. Badgers safety Kamo'i Latu hit the transfer portal, and is now on his way to UConn. He also made sure to stir the pot on his way out the door. First, he fired off a tweet thanking Paul Chryst and Jim Leonard - two coaches who haven't been with the program since 2022 - "for an amazing time at Wisconsin!" ...The natural conclusion is that he's taking a shot at the current coaching staff."
"...this isn't the first time something like this has happened since Fickell became the head coach in Madison: Former star running back Braelon Allen pretty much did the exact same thing back in September. Fickell needs to figure out a way to get a tent over this circus. Wisconsin fans aren't going to tolerate this garbage much longer. Many have already given up."
https://twitter.com/Outkick/status/1871934173931606256
I'd move on this ASAP.I read somewhere that he had stepped away from coaching this year. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t on The new staff this season.
Mike Caputo - Safeties/Special Teams - Football Coaches - University at Buffalo (https://ubbulls.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/mike-caputo/475)
Played at Wisconsin. Learned how to coach from Dave Aranda. Makes too much sense.
Outkick's resident Wisconsin fan columnist, David Hookstead, notes the Badger's transfer portal exodus of nearly two dozen players has not been without unusual drama:That writer is a glue eating moron and a shit stirrer.
"Wisconsin Badgers player sends wild tweet after entering the transfer portal. Badgers safety Kamo'i Latu hit the transfer portal, and is now on his way to UConn. He also made sure to stir the pot on his way out the door. First, he fired off a tweet thanking Paul Chryst and Jim Leonard - two coaches who haven't been with the program since 2022 - "for an amazing time at Wisconsin!" ...The natural conclusion is that he's taking a shot at the current coaching staff."
"...this isn't the first time something like this has happened since Fickell became the head coach in Madison: Former star running back Braelon Allen pretty much did the exact same thing back in September. Fickell needs to figure out a way to get a tent over this circus. Wisconsin fans aren't going to tolerate this garbage much longer. Many have already given up."
https://twitter.com/Outkick/status/1871934173931606256
It looks like Bert is gonna take 3 Wisconsin DL in the portal.If he can get anything out of them, we probably have to hire him back.
Makes me think he didn't watch any Badger games this year because they got pushed around by anyone with a pulse.
Iowa (329), UNL (180) and Mini (183) made them look silly against the run, and the trophy case is empty for the first time ever as a result.
Wisconsin playing hardball here. But it's not a good look.Yeah, don’t do that. You can find a way to do that without looking that small.
https://twitter.com/XavierL_25/status/1872697059146645986?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1872697059146645986%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url= (https://twitter.com/XavierL_25/status/1872697059146645986?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1872697059146645986|twgr^|twcon^s1_&ref_url=)
It looks like Bert is gonna take 3 Wisconsin DL in the portal.Ever?
Makes me think he didn't watch any Badger games this year because they got pushed around by anyone with a pulse.
Iowa (329), UNL (180) and Mini (183) made them look silly against the run, and the trophy case is empty for the first time ever as a result.
That writer is a glue eating moron and a shit stirrer.A possible problem here is that Wisconsin leads the conference in transfer portal departures. Meanwhile in Iowa City, U of Iowa is using NIL to induce its players to stay.
I’m not close to sold on the current staff, but I also don’t care that kids on the way out aren’t lavishing them with praise. It hasn’t been a smooth two years. Kids are going to leave, and probably have warmer feelings for the coaches that recruited to them than the coaches who didn’t play them.
Ever?I meant the current trophy case, which
Don Morton didn't even empty the trophy case?
A possible problem here is that Wisconsin leads the conference in transfer portal departures. Meanwhile in Iowa City, U of Iowa is using NIL to induce its players to stay.There is something very wrong with the culture in Madison right now.
A possible problem here is that Wisconsin leads the conference in transfer portal departures. Meanwhile in Iowa City, U of Iowa is using NIL to induce its players to stay.Oh, there are definitely problems. But a light isn’t shown on them by a hold over kid who doesn’t play not thanking the current staff.
That writer is a glue eating moron and a shit stirrer.
The same Wisconsin fan columnist is eating glue over Braedyn Locke transferring to Arizona:Wow, a woefully incomplete article from that guy? One that definitely has a vibe, but is arguably misleading? That’s crazy.
"This is a really interesting decision from Arizona for one simple reason: Locke was really bad this season at Wisconsin."
"He was one of the worst QBs - if not the worst - QB in major college football. He finished the season with 1,936 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 48.4 QBR."
"What do you think about Arizona adding Braedyn Locke? Let me know at David.Hookstead@outkick.com."
https://twitter.com/Outkick/status/1872688963515011238
maybe he'll improve like Mertz?Although he mildly improved last year, I think it’s fair to say that particular addition to Florida was a pretty all-around failure?
I'll defer to the resident Gator fanAfter his injury, Florida took off with the true freshman.
I thought Mertz was injured
I'll defer to the resident Gator fanThis is basically how it went.
I thought Mertz was injured
It sounds like the kid had an opportunity to disengage peacefully. He and his camp seemingly chose to cause problems, and here we are.It doesn't sound like that to me at all.
B.R.A.D. has it right.However, and this is where it might get sticky in court...
It was a standard contract provided by the B1G.The NCAA has lawyers too, and they kept losing lawsuits...
My money is on the B1G lawyers here.
It sounds like the kid had an opportunity to disengage peacefully. He and his camp seemingly chose to cause problems, and here we are.disengage peacefully by giving back the money and/or payin any penalties of the contract
It doesn't sound like that to me at all.As I’ve read, some money was taken and not returned?
Note: I'm not saying anything Wisconsin did is wrong here, so don't get defensive. I'm saying that for him to either enter the Transfer Portal, or just leave school and go enroll at Miami, is likely a material breach of his NIL contract. There's nothing "peaceful" about it. You either enforce contracts or there's no point to having them at all.
Per the story [as an outsider], it says that the two parties signed a 2-year binding NIL contract. And Lucas decided he wanted to walk away and not fulfill his part.
Now he and his camp seem to be wanting to try to make Wisconsin out as the bad guy simply because they didn't just let him do whatever the hell he wanted, in flagrant violation of the contract he signed.
However, and this is where it might get sticky in court...I was listening to a podcast that suggested he can probably play for Miami, but his access to the revenue sharing money might be blocked because of the deal he signed with Wisconsin.
There will be two legal questions:
- Did Lucas violate the terms of the contract he signed?
- Was the contract itself actually legal and enforceable?
That second bit will probably be what they argue, already signaled by the lawyer calling it "an illegal restraint [of trade]".
revenue sharing money???House settlement stuff.
This sucks.Hmmm. I think I dislike this.
https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1897322670259306908 (https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1897322670259306908)
Minnie has 30 total starts in this timeframe.the carnival barker didn't bring this up
New coach?I’m implying Fickell will get canned.
I'm not sure they can afford to can him. Mac has to hope like hell that he wins games this season. His gig is on the line too.Well, UW seems to keep a policy of holding him at 7 years, so it’ll never go down.
Times are Central.Love an early Bama game.
https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1928119625604051357 (https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1928119625604051357)
Love an early Bama game.(https://i.imgur.com/kZtblMG.png)
Have a beer by noon and get it out of the way.
Sounds like he may have died in his sleep. Nobody knows much yet. Way too young to leave us.Ugh. You hate to see that. And an overnight death like that, leaves you wondering.
https://twitter.com/Buckys_Burrow/status/1937914121888141558 (https://twitter.com/Buckys_Burrow/status/1937914121888141558)
Was always a long shot. Such is life.Of course it was. Any appeal filed by Wisconsin is a long shot.
Of course it was. Any appeal filed by Wisconsin is a long shot.Also, the logic was pretty flimsy.
GVSU website says he played in 4 games in 2021, but he redshirted in 2020 (Covid).Someone flubbed entering the stats at grand Valley. It looks like he played 11.
(UW website says 11 games, not much field time)
The NCAA - an organization that claims to be on the side of student - is doing this kid no favors.
(https://i.imgur.com/QJRaCzF.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/JVfTqYV.png)
I see it as 4, 11, 12, and 12.You can see it here: https://gvsulakers.com/sports/football/stats/2021
Maybe the 4 is what he played on D and 11 includes ST play? He also had family issues that season.
Regardless, not good by the NCAA - especially their need to pat themselves on the back while probably wrecking a football career.
Nice work. This is the same NCAA that kept Micah Potter on the shelf for 2 years.
Maybe he should take to the SCOTUS. Why not?
The litigation is not over, based on the dissenting judge's writing. So, there is still a chance.
In better news...or at least better columns, I love this time of year when the beat writers can't wait to tell everyone how great everyone on the teams will be. Right now the Journal Sentinel's articles would make you think Wisconsin was in the hunt for a conference title, as opposed to trying to not get their coach fired and maybe, just maybe, get to a crappy bowl game.Wouldn’t want it any other way. (Seriously)
So what is Iowa's secret? Minnesota's? Illinois'? Indiana's?Indiana and Illinois have more NIL money for Hoops and Football than does Wisconsin from what I've read.
I don't expect the Badgers to have the resources that OSU, USC, Michigan, Penn State, and Oregon do, but that's not an excuse for falling below the next tier of the Big Ten.
None of the billionaires in Wisconsin care about the Badgers.Welp, best figure out something.
Herb Kohl is dead.
Well @bayareabadger (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1571) simply said "back seat". That doesn't *necessarily* mean that they're behind some of those other schools.I think they’re behind much of the mid-tier, which is a damn issue.
I'm pretty sure if Wisconsin is in the back seat, Purdue's probably in the third row seating. Maybe even a towed trailer.
BAB, did you have a ranking/list of the B1G? Is Wisconsin truly behind the B1G's dregs, or just behind the "power" teams?
Indiana and Illinois have more NIL money for Hoops and Football than does Wisconsin from what I've read.I just don't understand why any wealthy donor would prioritize IU football?
They both have wealthy donors who care about sports.
Illinois took three players from Wisconsin this year, because Wisconsin couldn't match $.
Wisconsin took a step back when it became evident that the coaching staff would not/could not adapt to the new normal and stopped recruiting.
I think they’re behind much of the mid-tier, which is a damn issue.Gotcha. Thanks for clarifying.
Indiana and Illinois have more NIL money for Hoops and Football than does Wisconsin from what I've read.To be fair, those three Illinois transfers weren’t very good.
They both have wealthy donors who care about sports.
Illinois took three players from Wisconsin this year, because Wisconsin couldn't match $.
Wisconsin took a step back when it became evident that the coaching staff would not/could not adapt to the new normal and stopped recruiting.
To be fair, those three Illinois transfers weren’t very good.Curt Neal was pretty good, and James Thompson Jr. (4* transfer rating) was on the verge of being great before missing last season.
Though if they get good with that team, bad news bears for Luke.
Welp, best figure out something.Get some of these folks to give a shit about football. Hell, only one of them even went to school in Madison and she's not into athletics at all.
Weird.Which part is weird?
Wisconsin offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes contract details (https://badgerextra.com/sports/football/jeff-grimes-is-wisconsin-footballs-highest-paid-offensive-coordinator-ever/article_e9142264-af9a-4553-b3fa-785a44b1009b.html#tracking-source=home-top-story)
Fickell wanted to can Phil Longo after year 1, but the AD said no.I didn’t 100 percent know that, but it was interesting that higher on sideways in some ways that were exactly what you expected and at least one that was somewhat unexpected.
Very short-sighted on that one by the AD. Lots of no-shows in the stands last season, with how that team played (like shit on offense).
Today's no-shows turn into tomorrow's no-buys.
Which part is weird?That it took 8+ months to get done.
That it took 8+ months to get done.There may have been some extra machinations, but it’s actually pretty common for stuff like that to happen (usually not quite that long). There is some other document that coaches sign just to get started and often in the actual signing just sort of drags out.
I hope he turns into a hot commodity that everyone wants to hire. That means we can be happy for a few years. It's been a shit couple of years and nothing truly good since 2019.Would not hate that. Was trying to watch some of his film from his best Baylor offense, but it’s pretty hard to get much of a read on that one.
Discussion on another thread leads me to this: at 4-8 is Fickell necessarily gone? I think even at that record, he probably gets another year. The buyout is substantial, the schedule is rough, and McIntosh might not be far behind him if Fickell gets the axe. But...I think 3-9 and he’s cooked. 5-7 gets a pass (not from me), just because of money. I think 4-8 should be fired, but not 100 percent the world will alight.
3-9 is a real possibility:
Miami-OH: W
MTSU: W
@Alabama: L
Maryland: put in the W column...then...
@Michigan: L
Iowa (at home): no one would be surprised by a loss in this game, which is competitive in the best of times
Ohio State: L
@Oregon: L
Washington at home: the Badgers will badly need this game, and the travel will kick Washington's ass, but...Washington is never a pushover.
@Indiana: I'm still not convinced Indiana wasn't a flash in the pan last season. But if it wasn't, then another L is easy to see.
Illinois at home: this is another one the Badgers will really need, and I'm still not sure Illinois is all it's being cracked up to be right now, but if it is, easy to see another L.
@Minnesota: tough. Imagine the Badgers come into this game with 3 wins. Chances they pull out a 4th?
On the one hand, they could be decent and have three or four wins.
On the other, looking up at Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota isn't an acceptable place for the program to be. And it shouldn't be chasing Iowa, either.
Hope springs eternal, so let's say they beat Iowa and Washington at home, Indiana and Illinois return towards the mean and the Badgers beat them, then finish off their rival to reclaim the axe at Minnesota. 8 wins. Surprise one of the big four that they are playing? 9 wins. Now I'm probably just hallucinating...
Good writeup in the Journal Sentinel discussing what the record will look like: LINK. (https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2025/08/19/debating-the-prospect-of-winning-season-for-wisconsin-football-in-2025/85718241007/)They really re-built the DL (5 4* players) this time. Also took 3 QB's.
I didn't realize the transfer class was rated as highly as it was. Changes on the line--if they work--should lead to a better team, which will matter against Iowa, Minnesota, Washington, Illinois, and Indiana. I certainly like an offense that is designed to grind the ball and the clock.
There are reasons for optimism...BUT...
Why wear any retro helmet other than the one that features the W on the front?That one I liked. It was also retro to a great team.
I guess the kids like them, which is important, even if they don't realized just how bad those teams were under Don F'ing Morton.More than 12 years passed between his firing in the birth of Wisconsin‘s sixth year defensive transfer who has to be close to the oldest player on the roster.
https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1958605310740107773 (https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1958605310740107773)
you didn't include @ Minnesota.That's how ridiculous it is.. I left the @Minnesota off on purpose because it actually seems like one of the easiest games on the schedule as crazy as that is. not a knock on Minnesota but an insight how high this hill is to climb.
Yup, it's tough. On the other hand, Wisconsin should beat Iowa at home, should beat Illinois at home, should beat Indiana anywhere, and should beat Minnesota anywhere. Every year. Any year.
Make this an Ohio State schedule, and Buckeye fans would still think 8-4 is a worst case scenario.
Wisconsin is not, and never has been, Ohio State, but with the exceptions of 2001 and 2008, Badger teams in the last 30 years would be expected to go 8-4-ish.
Time to man up, boys.
How's that for unreasonable pre-season expectations. I'm sticking with it.
Stolen from Badger247. He's completely spot on.Yup, the AD should simply turn down the paycheck.
Listened to Fickell’s press conference from Monday. Lots of standard stuff about not knowing anything about anything, but being excited for the season to start and having confidence in the guys. Nothing interesting there.They are doing game captains, and then permanent captains, right?
But…the only tangible piece of news is the lack of team captains. They have a large group that he’s choosing from, which means they don’t have a small group of obvious leaders. I find that worrisome.
I'm so glad this clown is gone.Lot of interesting lessons from that one.
https://twitter.com/TheCUSACentel/status/1960721891477610916 (https://twitter.com/TheCUSACentel/status/1960721891477610916)
There is a 14-player "leadership group," but no named captains.(https://i.redd.it/y3tnb6n39t1f1.gif)
It's this. People don't realize how far Paul Chryst let the program fall. He and his staff did not embrace the Portal or NIL. He had a staff full of buddies, and he went a whole year without a recruiting department.
Actually, I think Minnesota is mostly about the same as it has been for two decades, except Minnesota seems to have caught up to Wisconsin during P.J.'s tenure, so there is some advancement, although it could be attributed to regression in Madison.
MTSU doesn't deserve its own thread. Favored by 28 against a team that got smoked by FCS Austin Peay (I saw the Badgers clobber them back in 2010--instead of seeing the epic win over Ohio State; long story I've probably told here before), and didn't convert a 3rd down.Yeah, MTSU might be the worst team in the FBS. Not sold even a little on Wisconsin's O, but MTSU might not get a first down
Prediction: MTSU will only score if the Badgers turn it over, or they get a busted long play for a TD. So MTSU will get somewhere between 3 and 10 points (e.g., an INT turns into a field goal, and one busted play--or pick-6, gets them 7).
Badgers start O'Neil under center and are seeking a capable LT. Last week they spread the ball around a lot, and they probably will again this week, but they really need to use this as a tune-up for Alabama next week, so...I'm hoping they are a little more specific, at least until the game is out of reach, tuning up the plays and players they will need next week. Also, thank goodness Alabama has some directional Louisiana team this week to take its frustration out on. Hopefully that takes a little edge off before the Badgers head down to Tuscaloosa.
Anyway, the spread is 28.5. I think the Badgers rarely cover these early-season, crazy spreads, and if the running game is working well, I think they still won't because they will grind up clock in the process. Prediction: 34-6, Badgers. With a better offensive output, but still come away wondering if we can pass-protect against the big kids, and still not knowing if we have a true starter at LT.
I don’t know, maybe not run it up the middle on EVERY SINGLE DAMN FIRST AND SECOND DOWN. It drove me nuts.
This was posted by @SuperMario (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1596) on the M/OU thread but I'm bringing it here because the same thing applied to me and Wisconsin yesterday. Mrs. 847 was also pissed and my buddies were lke WTF?Sorry you had to watch the same thing. When it’s game like OSU v Texas last week and Buckeyes are wisely conservative with their approach, I totally get it. They took the lead and didn’t need Sayin to take unneeded chances and played conservative. This was completely different. When you’re behind and running up the middle is failing over and over, maybe scrap the gameplan and adjust when every single indicator tells you to change it up, you should change it up.
(We were at a B1G watch party with 4 TV's going for everyone's teams - very cool time.)
Anyway, UW was doing this constantly and then started doing play-action and jet sweeps.
It worked!
I wonder if that was the game plan. Lull them to sleep (nine in the box) and then blast 'em.
I like the MS degree he has.Hell yeah HR.
(https://i.imgur.com/P7X4Kr9.png)
This was posted by @SuperMario (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1596) on the M/OU thread but I'm bringing it here because the same thing applied to me and Wisconsin yesterday. Mrs. 847 was also pissed and my buddies were lke WTF?No more enduring belief that an infective offense is running too much on early downs and the box is too stacked.
(We were at a B1G watch party with 4 TV's going for everyone's teams - very cool time.)
Anyway, UW was doing this constantly and then started doing play-action and jet sweeps.
It worked!
I wonder if that was the game plan. Lull them to sleep (nine in the box) and then blast 'em.
Have you seen this @bayareabadger (https://www.cfb51.com/index.php?action=profile;u=1571) ? Assuming the bodies holds up, we'll probably make it to this game.I did see that. I think I was in college when that game was first set up.
Wisconsin's 2031 opener with Virginia Tech moves to neutral site (https://247sports.com/college/wisconsin/board/23/contents/wisconsins-2031-opener-with-virginia-tech-moves-to-neutral-site-254170124/?utm_source=forums&utm_medium=toast&utm_campaign=Notification&utm_term=254174848#M254174848)
I did see that. I think I was in college when that game was first set up.Originally put on the schedule in 1998, for 2002.
hopefully the program can hold up enough to make it a good one
They’re gonna fire his ass. Just a matter of which loss makes them pull the trigger.How about they whack him now, let someone - anyone - finish out the year.
If he wins the next four, you guys are gonna be acting like you had his back the whole time.lol.
You have the best band in the Big Ten, and it's worth going to games to see and hear the band. You don't have to have a great football team to have great game day atmosphere. Smile. I might consider taking a road trip to Madison this season.because of the band, not because the Hawks have a great chance of a win?
If Wisc. doesn't have the NIL money to support players, where does it get NIL money, and buy-out money at $25-26M?There are about 52K season ticket holders last I checked, at $500 per.
If he wins the next four, you guys are gonna be acting like you had his back the whole time.Yeah, he's gonna win @Michigan, Iowa, Ohio State and @Oregon.
You have the best band in the Big Ten, and it's worth going to games to see and hear the band. You don't have to have a great football team to have great game day atmosphere. Smile. I might consider taking a road trip to Madison this season.Tickets will be cheap.
If he wins the next four, you guys are gonna be acting like you had his back the whole time.You can keep the receipts. I'm not worried about embarrassment, and I'll be happy to be wrong. But it's not happening.
My question... Under Fickell, what is Wisconsin's identity?
What does that mean for Fickell in year three?
My question... Under Fickell, what is Wisconsin's identity?How many UW teams would have made the current 12 team playoff? I would guess at lease a half dozen off the top of my head
I feel like going all the way back to Barry, when the rest of the conference zigged (went spread and high volume passing), Wisconsin zagged (power run game). And that was their identity all the way through Chryst, with only the possible exception of Gary Anderson?
It's a difficult identity, because you're never going to have the horses to truly compete with the big boy programs at Wisconsin. But they were consistently successful at remaining around the top third of the conference year-in year-out.
As someone who isn't paying close attention, it seems like Fickell has abandoned that? And now... I'm not sure what they are...
How many UW teams would have made the current 12 team playoff? I would guess at lease a half dozen off the top of my headLooks like 1993, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2016, 2017, and 2019
My question... Under Fickell, what is Wisconsin's identity?disagree completely.
I feel like going all the way back to Barry, when the rest of the conference zigged (went spread and high volume passing), Wisconsin zagged (power run game). And that was their identity all the way through Chryst, with only the possible exception of Gary Anderson?
It's a difficult identity, because you're never going to have the horses to truly compete with the big boy programs at Wisconsin. But they were consistently successful at remaining around the top third of the conference year-in year-out.
As someone who isn't paying close attention, it seems like Fickell has abandoned that? And now... I'm not sure what they are...
Clueless.
"I think it is all the same, right? I'm a part of them, you know, trying to figure out, hey, what's your identity? I don't come in here and oversell, like I've said before, right?So I can't tell you what our identity is.""I wouldn't tell you what our identity is, right? If things were going really well, and this was the other way around, I would say our identity is what we put on film. And so, that's where we're all trying to push ourselves to.
I can't grant them confidence. I again, you stand tall. You stand in front of them guys every single day and try to say it's about a belief."
disagree completely.I wasn't being critical. The formula/identity worked. They were pretty much in a tier just below the helmet level in the B1G for damn near 30 years. Other teams spent time in that tier, but none anywhere near that consistently nor for that long.
Wisconsin didn't have the QB play or WR's to get over the hump- but they MOST definitely had the OL play and RB's to hang with the big boys under the Alvarez formula/identity for 30 years.
I wasn't being critical. The formula/identity worked. They were pretty much in a tier just below the helmet level in the B1G for damn near 30 years. Other teams spent time in that tier, but none anywhere near that consistently nor for that long.well- that's not a bad tier to live in. look at them now.
But what I was saying is that when you have Wisconsin's talent level, that's pretty much the ceiling. You can be competitive with the helmets, but you're not equal to them.
Because you can be hyper-focused on recruiting and winning the battles for the big uglies and the RBs when you have that offensive system, but it's a turn-off for the QBs and the WRs. Whereas the helmets can more easily attract any/all positions.
Rather I was saying that deviating from the system is problematic. It's a state with roughly half the population of Michigan or Ohio or Pennsylvania, the homes of the B1G's helmets. If you don't have a unique identity, what's Wisconsin going to offer recruits that Illinois or Iowa or Nebraska aren't?
But what I was saying is that when you have Wisconsin's talent level, that's pretty much the ceiling. You can be competitive with the helmets, but you're not equal to them.I agree with this. In the right years, with the right combination of factors, the Badgers could win conference titles and go to the Rose Bowl. In the current playoff system, I think that means that in the right years, with the right combination of factors, the Badgers could make it to the Final Four.
Fox is trying to destroy the Wisconsin program.call me crazy, but how is this Fox trying to destroy Wisconsin? not following...
Michigan game in two weeks is B1G Noon.
WTF?
Fox knows that Wisconsin will embarrass itself on a premier national broadcast!NBC loves this innocent mix-up as they continue to end up with dogshit games. They televised M'land at UW.
They just got done doing the same thing on a CBS national broadcast.
Wisconsin needs to be hidden on BTN+ or Peacock for the rest of the season.
NBC loves this innocent mix-up as they continue to end up with dogshit games. They televised M'land at UW.Fox has the M-W game. CDB had the MD-W game.
in a group text with some childhood friends. Two are UW alum. they continuously argue over the means of UW alum. One guy loves talking about how giant the world of UW alum coast to coast is and that they have the bankroll for X, Y, and Z. Fickle buyout is drop in bucket.... the other guy says, 'yeah, we have all of these alum, but they are all chintzy, frugal and cheap, easily outspent by peers.'There is big alumni money in Wisconsin, as you say. Most of them don't care about football.
as a non UW alum but native of WI, i see both sides of it. yes, some well heeled alum, but WI people love to squirrel their money away. I generally believe rah rah fans, royally overestimate the school spiritedness of its alum.
The fourth season of Luke Fickell in Madison is not playing out how anyone would have thought just a few years ago. Wisconsin sports a 2-2 record with both wins coming against Group of Five opponents, while losing to Alabama and Maryland. Even worse, the fan base appears fed up as “Fire Fickell” rained down on Saturday inside Camp Randall during the Big Ten opener.He's in his third season but it feels like 10.
Not everybody associated with the Badgers likes hearing the chants, though. Legendary head coach and athletic director Barry Alvarez eviscerated Wisconsin fans for being “spoiled” during his radio show on Monday. Alvarez wants everyone to get behind the team, saying there is plenty of football left to be played.
“I think it’s embarrassing,” Alvarez said via ESPN Madison. “I think it’s terrible, despicable. They’re spoiled rotten. Here’s a team that you’ve got young players trying to come on, they’re competing, they’re going to have a chance to get better, and you flip on them. We’re early in the season and you flip on them…
And there's this:that's crazy to me. would never think that Wisconsin would have the least spending increase on football in the entire B1G. wow.
https://twitter.com/Genetics56/status/1970287619301867726 (https://twitter.com/Genetics56/status/1970287619301867726)
It's not the Xs and Os, badge. It's the Jimmys and Joes.very true but dem jimmy and joe's still need a leader steering the ship. fickell looks lost at sea right now.
very curious to me how guys like Fickell & Frost can be so good one place and so F'ing bad at another placethere are levels to this ish. some guys are cut out for small ball. some aren't cut out for the pressure of helming a big dawg in a P4.
Wisconsin doing throwbacks for the Miami (OH) game in a week.Yikes. This isn't feeling very funny anymore.
They are throwing back to 1988 - the worst time in history to be a Wisconsin fan.
WTF?
https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1958514427705143705 (https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1958514427705143705)
Listened to Fickell’s press conference from Monday…the only tangible piece of news is the lack of team captains. They have a large group that he’s choosing from, which means they don’t have a small group of obvious leaders. I find that worrisome.
The first two games will be telling. If they struggle against Miami (OH) and MTSU, we'll know we can do other things on Saturday this season.
So Barry doesn't like the fans booing.IMHO, fans booing are not really booing the players. They're booing the collective establishment, and it's usually booing the failure of the AD and coaching staff to put a better product on the field. Especially when they were chanting to fire Fickell. They want the best for the players, and realize the players are just trying to do their best. It's the leadership that is the real target of the boos.
So yeah, the booing sucks, but it's the result of a team that is an embarrassment. Does that hurt the players' feelings? Yup. So does getting smoked at home by Maryland. It's up to the leaders to save this thing, and one way to save the players is to show they haven't been abandoned to their fate. They need something to hang onto and Fickell said in his press conference that he doesn't know what that is. Ok, leader, you don't know how to rally the troops, then we need a leader that does. McIntosh firing Fickell would show the players that he knows they aren't getting the leadership they deserve. That's something to rally around.
IMHO, fans booing are not really booing the players. They're booing the collective establishment, and it's usually booing the failure of the AD and coaching staff to put a better product on the field. Especially when they were chanting to fire Fickell. They want the best for the players, and realize the players are just trying to do their best. It's the leadership that is the real target of the boos.don't think you are political with this- and the analogy is spot on imo.
It's like being anti-war but supporting the troops. I can support the troops even if I think the dumbasses in DC are idiots for putting them in harm's way and don't even think the mission is worthwhile. When someone signs 4 years of their life away to put on a military uniform, they don't get to pick and choose where they go. That's why they call them "orders", not "suggestions". So I can support the actual guys on the ground even if I don't think they should be doing what they're asked to do.
So it's not incongruous to support the troops/players while calling for the politicians/coaches' heads.
(Not intending to be political, but I think the analogy works.)
B1G > XII and >>> AAC.Hey-hey-hey,King Barry wants to talk to you
Before THIS season, Fickell reminded media (and fans and players) that Wisconsin wasn't in the B1G West anymore.
All that happened in 2024 was this:
(https://i.imgur.com/YkRTHiQ.png)
Come again, clown?
King Barry wasn't perfect, but he did know what he wanted the team to be, and he was always focused on that. Even when things weren't going well, he knew what his north star was. Same for his proteges Bielema and Chryst. The same cannot (yet) be said for Fickell. And that is a major failing for a head coach in this kind of a program.Correct - he collected the cast and stuck to the script
https://twitter.com/badgerbarstool/status/1970505409489416417Hey unless he is a Chinese American Citizen then okay otherwise this is punching below the belt and the CCP attempting to unsurp our culture 😜
(https://i.imgur.com/bVAOSRo.jpeg)I'm pretty sure "leaving a little bit of meat on the bone" is something that Ed O has never been accused of.
Would anyone in Madison be able to understand him?People in Madison can't understand the Buckeye reject, so it won't matter.
I'll take him so long as he brings all of these guys with.the only way anyone in Wisconsin should even consider this guy is if he brings Joe Burrow, JaMar Chase, and Justin Jefferson with him. Buddy was a doghsit coach before those guys and was a dogshit coach after them.
(https://i.imgur.com/kBfIpAa.png)
hah, that's on Luke
First thing I looked at this morning was the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel to see if Fickell had been fired yet. Apparently not. Curious.I have it on refresh mode.
Please be today. The only thing is that there is nobody on the staff worth a shit. Maybe that doesn't matter at this point. 2-10 is the ceiling and they already have the 2 part of 2-10.I don't know when/how CFB coaches started accruing these gawdy buy outs on top of the already substantial contracts they landed. Like the contracts themselves weren't payment enough. The scale should be restructured,perhaps even eliminated.Admins, starting with the ADs maybe even the board of regents need some checks/balances installed.Can't believe it's went on this long,fans can't afford this shyt
Losing to Iowa may be the Luke Fickell fireable moment the boosters need (https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/losing-to-iowa-may-be-the-luke-fickell-fireable-moment-the-boosters-need/ar-AA1OiofC?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=68ebb3719ab94030ba84032464ffeb3d&ei=27)
just goes to show coaching hires are complete roll of the dice. it's all about luck- never know til they get the job. Fickell was 11-2, 11-3, 9-1, 13-1 and 9-3 at Cinci- had made a CFP and was producing NFL draft picks on defense. He was the hottest name on the coaching boards when Wisconsin hired him. coaching hires are complete crap shoots.Good post, same thing with Scott Frost - he did at UCF what Cignetti is doing at IU. Younger guy and looked like a slam dunk hire and he just never got on track in Lincoln yet he checked all the boxes.Both he and Fickell are :017:,go figure.
Unbelievable that ickell still has a job this morning.My prediction. He will get fired on Oct 26
WTF are they doing in Madison? The program is tanking.
There are 20K+ tickets for sale for this weekend's game with...
OHIO STATE.
You can go to the game for $30.00.
It does OSU a favor to keep him around another week.Or save his skin by pulling off the improbable
Had they fired him yesterday, he could have rehabbed his image at VA Tech or whatever, and then landed the OSU job down the road.
If they frog march him out there in front of his alma mater as a sacrificial lamb, let Ryan Day hang 100 on him, and then fire him for it? He'll never wash that stink off.
My prediction. He will get fired on Oct 26That's what On3 is saying.
Wisc upcom8ngbscedule
Ohio St. OCT 18
@Oregon Oct 25
Oif week Nov 1
He's lost the locker room.So Paul Chryst was an attempt at hari-kari?
I think he's an O$U plant, to wreck the Wisconsin program.
Fickell is lost.That's not true, everyone is telling him where to go
Or save his skin by pulling off the improbableThat would be something. One of his best Bearcat teams lost to OSU 42-0.
Watched the post-game press conference. Yikes. Some interesting things in there. Sounds like Billy Edwards doesn’t want to play right now (likely because he thinks he will get killed behind that line). Sounds like the Longo thing was—as 847Badge said—all about a personality clash, not Xs and Os.I’m guessing Edwards would like to try for another year with the NCAA.
Fickell is lost. Did he get a raw hand with the injuries to the o-line and QB? Sure, but other programs have done more with less. The remainder of this season is going to be brutal no matter who is on the sidelines.
I’m guessing Edwards would like to try for another year with the NCAA.That's what I though after listening to Fickell's comments from Saturday. If this kid is a legit #1 at a B1G school, then he might have a shot at the league, even if it's just carrying a clipboard. And if that's the case, why spend your last season of eligibility getting killed behind an offensive line that can't protect you, ruining your stats and reputation?
And MFer keeps fielding defenses that can’t tackle. Without that, an O-line that can block or a QB that can throw very well, it’s a bad spot.
Not that it's a surprise in today's college football, but Wisconsin just lost one of its longest-committed recruits for next year.The staff stopped recruiting him a few weeks ago, when academic progress reports came out. He also transferred.
Surprisingly, the Milwaukee paper's beat writer thinks they won't fire Fickell--potentially even if he goes 0-fer the B1G. He concedes that 2-10 might make hanging onto him tough, but he apparently thinks the money isn't there to fire him.
This goes to show that hiring coaches is fraught with peril. There are some can't miss guys, but not that many. Success in one place isn't a guarantee of success in another.
https://twitter.com/ESPNMadison/status/1978508491594620984 (https://twitter.com/ESPNMadison/status/1978508491594620984)that's a pretty damning indictment of Fickell.
The recruiting rankings and player rankings improved for sure, but they will tank now.always think where you get the players from is pretty overrated talking point. doesn't matter where they are from- they have to buy in to the program, be coachable, and get developed. who cares if the player is from timbuckto, buttfuck egypt, or Ohio?
2023 was really not his class, of course. Ranked #59.
2024 class was #20 nationally (0 OH).
2025 was #26 (3 OH).
They recruit Florida pretty well.
always think where you get the players from is pretty overrated talking point. doesn't matter where they are from- they have to buy in to the program, be coachable, and get developed. who cares if the player is from timbuckto, buttfuck egypt, or Ohio?All of those places = Ohio, yes?
All of those places = Ohio, yes?hell hath no fury like a lover scorned
Between Fickell being able to do nothing well and the way Harbaugh turned things around, it’s a reminder that a lot of things are possible.yeah but Harbaugh had the track record of major turnarounds from his time at UofSD turning them around to back to back 11-1 seasons, taking over the worst program in the P5 in Stanford and flipping it from 1-11 to 12-1, and then in the NFL with the 49ers taking them from 6-10 to 13-3, 12,4, 12-4 and 3 straight NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl- and he was basically going 10-2 every year in the regular season but losing to Ohio State and then losing in the AssMunchers Dildo Who Gives a Fuck Cheeze-It bowl game.
It should. Milwaukee paper of record reports this morning that the Badgers are averaging about 51K scanned tickets per home game, the lowest since 1992 (Alvarez's second season; team went 5-6). Should be north of 70K scanned per game (capacity is around 76K and there are always guests who are there without a scanned ticket for one reason or another).
That's another sure sign of the state of the program. But Fickell wants the fans to know that it will help if they show up.
It is mind boggling, how this clown managed to rip apart the program this guy built from the ground up.easily one of the greatest hires of the last 35 years in all of cfb
(https://i.imgur.com/auza7d3.png)
After being introduced by Richter to the assembled media corps, Alvarez stepped to the podium, leaned into a thicket of microphones and TV cameras and spoke off the cuff.
"People want good football in Wisconsin," he said at one point. "People have to be patient. They have to understand that things aren't going to turn over overnight.
"But let me say this: They better get season tickets right now, because before long they probably won't be able to."
Yeah--a lot of things to be said about Harbaugh, including heavy doses of the cheating scandal, but the guy could coach football. And he did everywhere that he went.I respect the talent acquisition might be a problem, but there are at least enough resources to not get skunked by Maryland, or look mid against smaller non-conference teams every time.
There seems to be an undercurrent around the Wisconsin football program that it, including the Athletic Department and its best donors, doesn't really want to spend the money associated with being a top-tier program. That feels like the thing that is keeping Fickell in place. Now, apparently Wisconsin is doing fine on the NIL side of things--in the top 25 or 30 programs, or so I hear. So that's not the big problem. But willingness to spend other money on the program seems to be low.
Or McIntosh really thinks that Fickell deserves more time. But what has Fickell done that has suggested that?
yeah but Harbaugh had the track record of major turnarounds from his time at UofSD turning them around to back to back 11-1 seasons, taking over the worst program in the P5 in Stanford and flipping it from 1-11 to 12-1, and then in the NFL with the 49ers taking them from 6-10 to 13-3, 12,4, 12-4 and 3 straight NFC Championship games and a Super Bowl- and he was basically going 10-2 every year in the regular season but losing to Ohio State and then losing in the AssMunchers Dildo Who Gives a Fuck Cheeze-It bowl game.I was told my someone who seems to feel they know a lot he was a “retard” who should’ve been replaced my current Syracuse analyst Josh Gattis.
he was at Michigan for 5 seasons before the bullshit COVID year and was like 10-3 every year except for 2017 when they lost a ton to graduation/NFL and had an 8-5 down year. that was his down year. the other 4 years were basically very Lloyd Carr-ish- yeah let's win 10 games but then lose to Ohio State- awesome.
he really only had one DISASTROUS year but that was the fluky COVID 6-game season with Joe Milton as his QB. that was a complete outlier in his entire head coaching track record, not the norm.
I was told my someone who seems to feel they know a lot he was a “retard” who should’ve been replaced my current Syracuse analyst Josh Gattis.he was correct
Winning a natty from that is quite the feat.
What a joke of a program this has become.that's crazy....just don't understand keeping him at this point.
247 Writer:
(https://i.imgur.com/H4RM0AS.png)
Big Time booster (Jennifer is the Chancellor)
(https://i.imgur.com/G9wt2bZ.png)
Helluva punterwell he's got a lot of practice...
well he's got a lot of practice...They actually ran a new punter out there yesterday. That's gonna fix everything.
yeah Frames would be a terrible hire.
If Franklin struggled with Penn State's nearly unlimited resources... :o
I'm not up for Fitz. Need someone who is more of a "modern" coach.W earned their spurs with smash mouth type ballers,IMO that'd be right up Fitz's alley. He hammers,fundamentals,Xs & Os,mechanics,technique and conditioning. He's old school and had success at NU,he'd at least keep instate kids home and that's a start. And his players for the most part kept their noses clean
Hell, give me Bert and I'd be thrilled.Can't see them offering after the way he and his sweetie popped off about the program after leaving.Be interesting if that unfoded though
It's been 13 years.Ha I was just going to post that,shame Illinois can't get their kids to stay home they'd be a perennial
It's been 13 years.We don't need to go back; we need to move forward. Bielema did what he thought was best for Bielema. I can't be too upset about that. I think Chryst elevated the program above where Bielema had it. The difference was Ohio State wasn't going through a rough patch in the late teens like it was at the end of Bielema's time in Madison.
You're always welcome to come cheer for Clevelands Sports teams - see how the other half lives :098:
I'm thinking Wisconsin football will be in the wilderness for a while. So my attention will drift. I'll always love Wisconsin, and I'll always want to know what's going on, but my enthusiasm for spending money on travel/games is gone until they actually right the ship. My current emotional energy is going into the frustration of seeing the implosion of something I've put a lot of time into over the years.
Bielema did what he thought was best for Bielema. I can't be too upset about that. I think Chryst elevated the program above where Bielema had it.Not for that no,but trying to make the program out like hell,he deserved what he got....sans the money
You're always welcome to come cheer for Clevelands Sports teams - see how the other half lives :098:I was gonna say, it's kinda cute as a Purdue fan, to see Badger fans starting to acknowledge and embrace the suck...
Not for that no,but trying to make the program out like hell,he deserved what he got....sans the moneyFair. I'm just not still upset about it. I was at the time. Anger fades--especially when Chryst had us in conference championship games and winning the Orange Bowl. Bielema is a good football coach. I would say not a great one. But good.
I've probably said this here before, but there was a period 2010-2014 that was insane for sports fandom in my house. The SF Giants won three world series, the Badgers played in three Rose Bowls (earning two of them with conference championships), Notre Dame played for a national championship (while that ended in a thud, the season to get them there was a lot of fun), the Packers (my NFL team) won a Super Bowl with one of the greatest QBs of all time, and the 49ers (the local team) played in a Super Bowl and became good again under Jim Harbaugh, after several futile years. Even the Sharks were really good, though they never could quite seal the dal. It was a good time to be a sports fan in my house. And since then there have been a lot of good years, too, including with the Warriors becoming one of the dominant teams.A couple MSU beat writers always refer to the period from 2008-2016 as Camelot, as a nod to the JFK White House.
I would say more like the offspring of a successful family business who had no idea that running the business takes hard work; it doesn't succeed on its own.I think it's more along the lines of if Barnes & Noble decided they needed a new CEO in 2000 to help them combat this upstart company called Amazon.
I've probably said this here before, but there was a period 2010-2014 that was insane for sports fandom in my house. The SF Giants won three world series, the Badgers played in three Rose Bowls (earning two of them with conference championships), Notre Dame played for a national championship (while that ended in a thud, the season to get them there was a lot of fun), the Packers (my NFL team) won a Super Bowl with one of the greatest QBs of all time, and the 49ers (the local team) played in a Super Bowl and became good again under Jim Harbaugh, after several futile years. Even the Sharks were really good, though they never could quite seal the dal. It was a good time to be a sports fan in my house. And since then there have been a lot of good years, too, including with the Warriors becoming one of the dominant teams.3 facking series and a Super Bowl??? I'm still pissed the Indians lost the '54 series to Say-Hey over the shoulder grab at the Polo Grounds.After setting an Modern day record of 111 wins in a season then getting broomed in 4 - I was there in another life,Packers beat the Browns for one of their NFL titles
3 facking series and a Super Bowl??? I'm still pissed the Indians lost the '54 series to Say-Hey over the shoulder grab at the Polo Grounds.After setting an Modern day record of 111 wins in a season then getting broomed in 4 - I was there in another life,Packers beat the Browns for one of their NFL titlesAt least it won't hurt your SoS rankings for a while.
I'm sad the Buckeyes don't play the Badgers again until 2028
https://twitter.com/TheRealRedShed/status/1980324966798385532 (https://twitter.com/TheRealRedShed/status/1980324966798385532)This will look much more funny if they end up firing him.
https://twitter.com/TheRealRedShed/status/1980324966798385532 (https://twitter.com/TheRealRedShed/status/1980324966798385532)Translation: The AD needs to be fired and replaced before Fickell is fired and replaced.
3 facking series and a Super Bowl??? I'm still pissed the Indians lost the '54 series to Say-Hey over the shoulder grab at the Polo Grounds.After setting an Modern day record of 111 wins in a season then getting broomed in 4 - I was there in another life,Packers beat the Browns for one of their NFL titlesI would trade a Badger national championship in football for the Giants and Packers not winning another in my lifetime. In a heartbeat.
I'm sad the Buckeyes don't play the Badgers again until 2028
Translation: The AD needs to be fired and replaced before Fickell is fired and replaced.Exactly.
Translation: I, Chris McIntosh, have convinced the school's administration that the problem is not the coach, who has been unable to define what he wants this football program to look like in the last three years, and who has led the program to historically poor results, getting worse with each season that he is at the helm. Particularly given that I fired the second most successful coach of the last century to hire the present guy, it is very important to me that you, the students, alumni, fans, and most importantly boosters--and the administration--understand that I will stick by this failure for at least a while longer. In honor of that, we are committed to blaming the program's investment during these admittedly turbulent times in college sports. It is not Coach Fickell's fault--nor is it mine (even though I run the department that I now claim has not adequately invested in the program). So write off this failure of a season, don't look too closely at the 2-10 record.
Please keep coming to the games and enjoy the Fifth Quarter, as if you were living in the 1970s and 80s when it was the only drawing card we had. The tailgates remain fun--and a good place to talk about how terrible the program is (you've already paid for the tickets, might as well make use of them). Please don't boo the players, it isn't their fault [that's true, this is on the coaching staff and administration]. And please understand that rather than making the obvious choice to fire this head coach, I've convinced everyone to instead spend that approximately [edit] $2M a year that we would save by canning this disaster (we would need that to pay the next coach, anyway), on buying players on the open market. I'm sure they will want to come to Wisconsin to participate in the great turnaround that we have in the works. Trust me, it's going to be amazing...
...
or I'm out of a job.
And guess what, next season's schedule looks a lot easier, so please don't be too upset when Notre Dame humiliates us at Lambeau Field--none of you care about that, right? Lambeau isn't a big deal in the Wisconsin sports fans' minds? And when USC humiliates us at home, and Iowa humiliates us--again--in Iowa City, and Penn State humiliates us in Happy Valley. We have legitimate 50/50 shots hosting Michigan State and Rutgers, and away at Maryland (please let it be in October), and UCLA (please let it be in September), and Purdue. Which all means that the game for Paul Bunyan's Axe will be the most exciting in a while because we might have a shot to make it back to .500 and a bowl! How exciting will that be!?! You see, progress! That will prove that this was a good decision all along.
That play wasn't even called. He just went out there and did it.
Who needs a coach?
I realize most of the world cares more about professional sports. I do not. (One of the reasons I'm here.)I haven't watched a whole or even a half of an NFL Game.Don't plan on it either until CFB is thru which is just much more riveting and in fact original.Some of the best games I've taken in I had no rooting interest but on the edge of my seat any way....when i'm not raking leaves.But Radio play by play is almost always better than the rubes on the tube. And a great way to get the yard work done and keeping up with CFB.Oh and get a few cold ones for carbo loading also,win-win-win 🍺
And I agree that the lack of Badger/Buckeye games is a drag.The Buckeyes and Badgers should have been scheduled to play on November 8 this year and held a memorial for the men who died on the Edmund Fitzgerald fifty years earlier on November 10, 1975. I say this because the bulk of the crewmen were from Ohio and Wisconsin.
"It's the easy thing to do. If you've never played, if you've never coached, the first thing you do [when] things go south a little bit [is] fire everybody. Then what the hell are you going to do? You're going to bring some knuckleheads in here that don't know anything about anything, and you start all over again. Then you're worse than where you started."The right thing to do is to fire everybody because it's obviously not working, then bring Barry Alvarez in to hire their replacements.
- Barry Alvarez
I haven't watched a whole or even a half of an NFL Game.Don't plan on it either until CFB is thru which is just much more riveting and in fact original.Some of the best games I've taken in I had no rooting interest but on the edge of my seat any way....when i'm not raking leaves.But Radio play by play is almost always better than the rubes on the tube. And a great way to get the yard work done and keeping up with CFB.Oh and get a few cold ones for carbo loading also,win-win-win 🍺I said that when I was dating my now wife. How could you care THAT much about a professional team? Now college sports have become WAY worse. Im all for them getting paid what they can get. But I can also not care. If you want to root for a random assortment of kids who take online classes at a school you may or may not have gone to, for 3 months, to qualify, thats your right. But if I also dont care, that isnt old man yelling at cloud. Thats just meeting a baseball fan who doesnt give a shit how his teams AAA affiliate is doing
The right thing to do is to fire everybody because it's obviously not working, then bring Barry Alvarez in to hire their replacements.No.
Pretty sure most of the Badger fans in here would be in violent agreement with that idea :57:
The right thing to do is to fire everybody because it's obviously not working, then bring Barry Alvarez in to hire their replacements.There’s a small part of me that doesn’t think this is high-end trolling, and it would be amazing to explain that, but I’m pretty sure it’s just trolling. And I am good-naturedly angry at it.
Pretty sure most of the Badger fans in here would be in violent agreement with that idea :57:
No.
There’s a small part of me that doesn’t think this is high-end trolling, and it would be amazing to explain that, but I’m pretty sure it’s just trolling. And I am good-naturedly angry at it.Actually, I thought you Badgers all still held King Barry in such high regard that you'd think it was a good idea...
Actually, I thought you Badgers all still held King Barry in such high regard that you'd think it was a good idea...Don't want to go to that well too often,UW has people paid handsomely to get things sorted.If they can't then replace them,BA left them on terra firma and those that followed dug the hole and made the mud pit
Still hoping Fickell turns out. I don't necessarily blame him for struggling during what is probably the most tumultuous time in CFB history in the last...80 years (to WWII, probably)? But that excuse won't last much longer. At a place like Wisconsin even the best coaches will have bad years, and will try things that don't work out. I can live with that--it's the price of not sticking with "above average is good enough." But I can't live with prolonged mediocrity.
And yeah, confident three-score+ wins over the body bag games, and playing tough ball against the big kids. Can't fade in the 2nd half/4th quarter of every game as they appeared to last year. There's a world in which 6 wins looks pretty good, and a world in which 6 wins means its time to evaluate the buyout. Eye test coming, and none too soon.
Discussion on another thread leads me to this: at 4-8 is Fickell necessarily gone? I think even at that record, he probably gets another year. The buyout is substantial, the schedule is rough, and McIntosh might not be far behind him if Fickell gets the axe. But...
3-9 is a real possibility:
...
On the one hand, they could be decent and have three or four wins.
On the other, looking up at Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota isn't an acceptable place for the program to be. And it shouldn't be chasing Iowa, either.
Hope springs eternal, so let's say they beat Iowa and Washington at home, Indiana and Illinois return towards the mean and the Badgers beat them, then finish off their rival to reclaim the axe at Minnesota. 8 wins. Surprise one of the big four that they are playing? 9 wins. Now I'm probably just hallucinating...
I will be happy with 8 wins. I won't be horrified with 7 wins. 6 wins? Will depend on how the season rolls out, not only for the Badgers, but for the other teams on this list. Anything less than 6 and I will be frustrated. All that said, 3-5 wins is the most likely outcome.Those are my receipts. And the reason I tripped against Fickell when I did. This team hasn't come close to passing any eye test. Getting blown out at home by Maryland is unacceptable. The "best" game Wisconsin has played was at Michigan, and they still got whupped.
Several have pined for Jim Leonard, who no other program has even considered hiring as HC.He doesn't want to be hired as HC of ANY other program.
There’s a small part of me that doesn’t think this is high-end trolling, and it would be amazing to explain that, but I’m pretty sure it’s just trolling. And I am good-naturedly angry at it.high-end???
I don't read that much sports media, but went down a little rabbit hole today on the Athletic. Stewart Mandel's words:Yes, that sounds like you are describing Penn St, good competive team that is snake-bit.
"Fickell, on the other hand, is a dead man walking. The third-year coach is 15-18 overall, 8-14 in the Big Ten, and his 2025 team is truly terrible." (Emphasis added)
That last part is the fundamental indictment of Fickell's time in Wisconsin. This team stinks. And it's not just because they have a tough schedule. That's the point of all my ramblings above. They could be 2-5/0-4 and could have looked ok getting there, and we'd all be focused on how tough the schedule was, and that Maryland was unexpectedly good, so the close loss was forgivable. But, that's not what happened. They have looked hopeless/inept.
I've watched, cheered for, and even coached teams that were competitive, but snake bitten. That's not these Badgers.
Actually, I thought you Badgers all still held King Barry in such high regard that you'd think it was a good idea...I actually wouldn’t mind it. I think he’s good enough a coach selection that it would be a useful bridge if you wanted to shit can everyone.
He doesn't want to be hired as HC of ANY other program.I imagine he could maybe hold a job at some point, but it’s not gonna be under the current admin, and I wouldn’t put him in for such a shit show of a rebuild.
He's got a good job out in Denver now. He belongs in the NFL.
I imagine he could maybe hold a job at some point, but it’s not gonna be under the current admin, and I wouldn’t put him in for such a shit show of a rebuild.As long as Mac is here, you can rule him completely out.
It is estimated that UW will lose 20K season ticket holders, and most of the premium boxes/seats.On that key point, we are in strong agreement.
Luxury boxes cost $20K/year, plus the price of tickets.
Season tickets cost $500, plus mandatory "donation" of $400 (2016 figures, my last year).
Do the math, and don't forget to add parking, concessions, merchandise, and voluntary donations (I stopped mine).
Bottom line is that it will be more expensive to keep him than to fire him.
On that key point, we are in strong agreement.Been a tough stretch. Alabama, Michigan, OSU, Indiana, Oregon- all in the same season. Not to mention Iowa when they are good and Illinois.
going to be very interesting to see what kind of direction they can go in and do go in when they have an actual search.
Been a tough stretch. Alabama, Michigan, OSU, Indiana, Oregon- all in the same season. Not to mention Iowa when they are good and Illinois.If there were signs of progress, I could buy that.
And all without your best QB.
Not making excuses for Fickell. He has flopped
But- he has proven he can absolutely coach, and next years’ schedule substantially easier. No OSU, Michigan, Indiana- or Oregon I believe.
I don’t think it’s a bad move. Hit the portal hard, get your QB and see what happens.
247 has the Badgers at #28 in composite talent. Instead, they look like one of the worst teams in P4.For whatever it's worth, IU is 72nd nationally and 18th in the conference according to that metric.
Fickell and his staff suck at coaching.
2025 College Football Team Talent Composite (https://247sports.com/season/2025-football-20251/collegeteamtalentcomposite/?OrderBy=Points)
IU has excellent coaches, including the best OL coach in the business, who I wish was still in Madison, because the new guy sucks.
That's not the problem. They are not taking enough Wisconsin maulers anymore.same problem in Lincoln
That's what won in Madison. Underrated, tough as nails linemen who played for the W.
Exactly.And they didn't lose to Maryland.
The identity is gone.
They didn't win every game, but whoever played them knew all about it.
And Maryland didn’t curb stomp them at Camp Randall.FIFY