CFB51 College Football Fan Community
The Power Four => Big Ten => Topic started by: SFBadger96 on September 16, 2025, 12:34:36 PM
-
Sitting at 2-1, the Badgers are exactly where everyone thought they would be at this point...in the standings. But the two wins against non-power foes didn't fill anyone with a great sense of confidence, though the defense played well. The loss to Alabama was as bad as *some* naysayers said it would be. The second string QB has been ok, but not great, the pass defense against the Tide was nonexistent, and, strangest of all for a Badger team, the offensive line is a wreck; even when healthy it hasn't looked good, but they aren't especially healthy. So here comes Maryland...
Maryland is a must win for the Badgers to make bowl eligibility. Maryland is probably a must win for the Badgers to win another game. The Terps are, by far, the lowest regarded team left on the Badgers docket. At home, the Badgers desperately need a win.
So far the Terps have looked improved, but against an unimpressive slate. Nevertheless, 3-0 is 3-0, and the games haven't been that close. The only "blemish" is Maryland's 11 point win over NIU, when the Terps were a 16.5-point favorite. NIU can be tough (ask the Irish), and Maryland shut their offense down.
The biggest concern for the Badgers is Maryland's freshman, 4-star quarterback who is putting up good numbers so far, clearing 250 yards in every game. That is especially concerning because of the Badgers' poor showing against Alabama in the passing game last week. And potentially ironic in that the Badgers poached their starting (except that he's injured) QB from the Terps, paving the way for Malik Washington at Maryland.
Now, the Terps aren't the Tide, and the Badger d-line actually did get some pressure on Alabama, despite an offensive line that is almost certainly better than Maryland's--by a fair margin. Unfortunately, they left Alabama's receivers wide open in the process. So Maryland will have a tougher time throwing the ball this week, and the Badgers should have a better day on defense.
But can the Badgers score against a power-4 team, even one that has been a doormat most years? That remains to be seen. They had some flashes of competence against Alabama, but shot themselves in the foot with penalties and interceptions at critical times (playing the Tide, that's basically all the time). Playing at home, with a friendly crowd, should help, but enough...?
The Badgers are 6.5-point favorites, which feels a little generous to me. The pressure has to be on, which generally doesn't help. Seriously, if they don't win this one, it's hard to see another win on the schedule. While Fickell could survive a 5-7 year, I don't know about 2-10. Sure, the o-line is dinged up, and for the third year in a row, the starting QB is out (although he may be back this week), but the bottom line is wins, and the Badgers just haven't had enough. And 2 wins? That would leave little doubt that the Alvarez Era is the distant past and that the McIntosh era is--so far--a dud.
My optimism tells me they grind out a win because of an INT or 2 from Washington, but I think Saturday morning is going to be a nervy watch for Badgers everywhere.
-
Unlike the Wolverines, Wisconsin has never lost to Maryland. You'll be fine.
-
I think Saturday morning is going to be a nervy watch for Badgers everywhere.
I'm going fishing.
-
Wisconsin 24, Maryland 17
-
Biggest game of the year.
I’ll be watching parts of it on a phone while at a GF’s relative’s birthday thing. Cannot wait.
-
I'm hoping to be happy Saturday afternoon, having caught some hogfish and missing a Wisconsin win.
If they lose but I get hogfish, I'll still be happy.
-
(https://safmc.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/hogfish-1400x967.jpeg)
-
I'm hoping to be happy Saturday afternoon, having caught some hogfish and missing a Wisconsin win.
If they lose but I get hogfish, I'll still be happy.
What if you had to choose between the hogfish and the Wisconsin win?
-
fish can be purchased at the market
-
fish can be purchased at the market
This.
-
It's gonna cost me about $500 in fuel for the hogfish. I'm hoping for a lot of hogfish. Need about 20lbs to break even.
-
So what's the fuss all about? Hogfish tastes sweet, mild, and buttery. It lacks any overly fishy notes, instead boasting a delicate scallop and lobster-like flavor. In fact, such a palette is caused by crustaceans comprising the hogfish's primary diet.
Read More: https://www.tastingtable.com/1287689/what-hogfish-does-taste-like/
-
Unlike the Wolverines, Wisconsin has never lost to Maryland. You'll be fine.
hey, there's a first time for everything, right?
doubtful Maryland wins- but that rookie QB looks pretty good and Wisconsin looks vulnerable to the pass.
Fickell loses this one he probably doesn't survive much longer cause the schedule gets nuts the rest of the way.
-
I always hate to say must-win.
This game is that.
A loss here would lose the fan base completely, IMO.
-
I always hate to say must-win.
This game is that.
A loss here would lose the fan base completely, IMO.
Strong agree.
The minimum goal to not have everyone livid is to make a bowl. The combination of even somewhat realistic wins that gets to six and doesn’t include this one is rather small.
-
I always hate to say must-win.
This game is that.
A loss here would lose the fan base completely, IMO.
yeah, agree. don't want to say a game this early is a must win- but things will get really ugly for Fickell if he loses this one at home.
-
https://twitter.com/PeteNakos_/status/1968775391759278488
-
Need Billy to play.
Tough to win with a midget QB if said midget is not named Drew Breese or Russell Wilson.
-
Need Billy to play.
Tough to win with a midget QB if said midget is not named Drew Breese or Russell Wilson.
Manziel and Mayfield say hello
-
Yeah, they won Superbowls.
-
I don't think Tommie Frazier was 6' tall
-
Ya he won a Super Bowl :D, Try to stay on point bugeater - talkin' CFB. NFL Thread is over there --->
-
Tommie played in the NFL???
news to me
-
Ya he won a Super Bowl :D, Try to stay on point bugeater - talkin' CFB. NFL Thread is over there --->
My bad 847 is the culprit
-
he drinks spotted cow
-
Prolly can't get that down there in his infernal regions
-
Spotted Cow is good. I prefer the Fat Squirrel - hazelnut brown ale
would love to try the Staghorn Octoberfest
-
I have a fresh case of Spotted Cow in the garage fridge.
It's good to have friends who drive up North and back.
-
I have a fresh case of Spotted Cow in the garage fridge.
It's good to have friends who drive up North and back.
Spotted Cow and Hogfish. Count me in!
-
Need Billy to play.
Tough to win with a midget QB if said midget is not named Drew Breese or Russell Wilson.
same guy Nakos at on3 is now reporting Edwards is trending in right direction and likely to play- but still game time decision.
-
Yeah, I saw that too. Seems pretty well connected to me since I've been at the On3 site for a bit (they bought Rivals).
-
This is really cool. Dennis Lick was also really good with the Bears (and at St. Rita Hs in Chicago).
https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1969102155949752522 (https://twitter.com/BadgerFootball/status/1969102155949752522)
-
back in the good ol daze!
-
the pass defense against the Tide was nonexistent, and, strangest of all for a Badger team, the offensive line is a wreck;
The biggest concern for the Badgers is Maryland's freshman, 4-star quarterback who is putting up good numbers so far, clearing 250 yards in every game. That is especially concerning because of the Badgers' poor showing against Alabama in the passing game last week.
But can the Badgers score against a power-4 team, even one that has been a doormat most years?
The Badgers are 6.5-point favorites, which feels a little generous to me.
And 2 wins? the McIntosh era is a dud.
Some reasonably decent points in there. Sigh.
-
They are toast. Fickell's presser was like a funeral.
-
This new thread title isn't mathing.
4-0 overall, but 1-1 in the Big Ten?
-
They are toast. Fickell's presser was like a funeral.
Buckeye Brandon cursed y'all from the outset...blame him...
https://twitter.com/OldTakesExposed/status/1969477750391005260