The Wisconsin football program has undergone struggles in recent years, finishing 5-7 this past season under coach Luke Fickell.
Many college football pundits appear to be on the same page: if the Badgers can’t return to postseason success, it may be time for Fickell to be shown the door.
247Sports’ Carter Bahns has low expectations in Madison this fall, even with the emergence of transfer quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. after his Maryland stint.
“Luke Fickell loaded up on instant-impact talent on the defensive front, hired a new offensive coordinator and found a proven starting quarterback in Billy Edwards Jr.,” Bahns wrote. “That is all great, but it comes within the context that Wisconsin was merely a five-win team last season and has not taken a step forward in its record since 2021. There is enough to like about the Badgers to be relatively optimistic about their prospects moving forward, but Fickell needs to produce results very, very soon.”
The Badgers’ schedule is anything but soft. In fact, it might be one of college football’s toughest. Critical games include Alabama (Sept. 13), Michigan (Oct. 4), Ohio State (Oct. 18), Oregon (Oct. 25) and Illinois (Nov. 22).
Finding six wins might be a challenge, but it’s clear the Big Ten’s unpredictability was on full display this past season. If a few games go Wisconsin’s way, a bowl berth isn’t out of the question.
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August will be here soon enough, and Fickell may have a chance to save his job.