Buckeyes Loom Large: Wisconsin's Tumbling Season Puts Coach Luke Fickell on the Hot Seat, But Can the Badgers Claw Their Way Back?
Imagine a once-proud football program spiraling out of control, with fans demanding change and a head coach fighting for survival. That's the dramatic reality facing Wisconsin's Badgers as they gear up for a massive showdown against Ohio State. But here's where it gets controversial: Is loyalty to a struggling coach worth the cost of a season gone sour, or should the university cut ties now to rebuild? Stick around to dive into the insights from a seasoned beat writer who knows the Badgers inside out – and we'll explore why this matchup might just be the tipping point for Wisconsin's fortunes.
Every season, before Ohio State clashes with rivals, we at Eleven Warriors connect with journalists covering the opposition to gain fresh perspectives. This time, we're spotlighting the Wisconsin Badgers, a team that's stumbled to a 2-4 record and faces an uphill battle in the second half of their schedule.
Wisconsin Badgers
Record: 2-4
Date: October 18, 2025
Time: 3:30 PM ET
Venue: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
Broadcast: CBS
Spread: OSU -25.5
Joining us today is Colten Bartholomew from the Wisconsin State Journal, whose reporting on the Badgers via BadgerExtra offers an unfiltered look at Wisconsin's challenges. Bartholomew discusses the Badgers' recent string of defeats, including a brutal 37-0 home loss to Iowa, and why he believes their road to recovery is fraught with obstacles. He also weighs in on head coach Luke Fickell's job security, the unexpected rise of transfer quarterback Hunter Simmons, and whether Wisconsin stands a chance against Ohio State's powerhouse offense. Let's jump into his expert take.
Starting with the elephant in the room: Given Wisconsin's rocky 2-4 start, is Luke Fickell's position as head coach hanging by a thread?
Bartholomew: It's tricky to predict. The fanbase is frustrated and eager for a fresh start, but athletic director Chris McIntosh has heavily invested in Fickell – so much so that their fates might be intertwined. That means Fickell will likely get every opportunity to turn things around, even after lopsided losses to Maryland and Iowa. Any goodwill from a competitive outing at Michigan earlier in the season evaporated with that Iowa drubbing.
Fickell previously guided Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff, a feat that showcased his coaching prowess. What do you think has led to his difficulties adapting to Wisconsin?
Bartholomew: A mix of unfortunate breaks and questionable choices has tripped him up. For instance, losing the starting quarterback to injuries for three straight years hasn't just been a setback; it's highlighted weaknesses in developing backup talent across positions. Bringing in Phil Longo as offensive coordinator was a misstep, and Fickell didn't adequately shore up the offensive line after spring practice injuries exposed vulnerabilities. Wisconsin simply doesn't have the depth of high-caliber players to bounce back from such compounded issues – whether they're injuries, coaching miscues, or other hurdles. Adapting to the razor-thin margins of success in Madison has proven tougher than expected for him.
And this is the part most people miss: how these individual problems snowball into a team-wide crisis. For beginners in college football, think of it like a chain reaction – one weak link, like an injured player, pulls the whole unit down, making it hard to execute plays effectively.
What are the primary roadblocks fueling Wisconsin's early-season woes?
Bartholomew: Injuries provide an easy excuse, and they've certainly played a role: three different quarterbacks and four centers have taken snaps so far, plus a key cornerback like Nyzier Fourqurean is still entangled in an NCAA eligibility dispute. But the real Achilles' heel is the offensive line's struggles. Traditionally, Wisconsin has relied on dominating the line of scrimmage to compensate for any dips in offensive skill, but this year's group is far from up to standard – it's been a nightmare for the offense. Offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes runs a scheme that could thrive even with a mediocre line, as seen in Wisconsin's successful eras over the past 30 years, but this unit is below average and has led to disastrous results. A sluggish offense then overloads an already stretched-thin defense, especially in the secondary, creating a vicious cycle.
Wisconsin is expected to be underdogs for the rest of their games. Do you foresee them securing even one more victory this season?
Bartholomew: Right now, it's tough to envision. Their schedule includes tough tests against Ohio State, Oregon, Washington, Indiana, Illinois, and Minnesota, and there's no sign of the 'magic' needed for an upset – think of it as the team chemistry or momentum that turns close games into wins. They might regroup after their bye week to challenge teams like Minnesota, but the lackluster effort against Iowa suggests a 2-10 finish isn't out of the question. For context, a bye week gives teams time to heal and strategize, but Wisconsin's depth issues might limit that bounce-back.
Hunter Simmons, who only started three games in his four years at Southern Illinois, has stepped into Wisconsin's starting QB role for the last two contests. How did this transition occur, and what's your assessment of his performance to date?
Bartholomew: It boiled down to necessity. Starting QB Billy Edwards Jr. went down with a knee injury, backup Danny O'Neil struggled with turnovers and got pummeled against Maryland, leaving only a walk-on redshirt freshman and a true freshman as alternatives – options the coaches are hesitant to deploy, especially with the offensive line in disarray. Simmons handles the fundamentals well, boasts a strong arm, and could shine if Wisconsin got their running game going consistently. Unfortunately, that's not the case right now, so his potential remains somewhat untapped.
Which Badgers players or groups might pose the biggest threats to Ohio State this weekend?
Bartholomew: Honestly, none stand out significantly. Perhaps the outside linebackers could create some edge pressure on a play or two, but the talent disparity in this matchup is enormous – one of the widest in recent series history. It's a reminder of how dominant Ohio State has become under their current leadership.
How do you anticipate the game unfolding on Saturday?
Bartholomew: It hinges on Ohio State's approach. With Michigan as their next major challenge, the Buckeyes will want to avoid cruising in a way that lets Wisconsin stay competitive and tire out their starters. No defense seems capable of containing OSU's receivers, and Wisconsin won't buck that trend. Expect a one-sided affair.
Score prediction: OSU 49, Badgers 7
As we wrap up this deep dive into Wisconsin's struggles, it's hard not to ponder: Is loyalty to a coach like Fickell blinding the program to needed change, or could a miracle turnaround rewrite the narrative? And here's a controversial twist – some argue that firing a coach mid-season disrupts team morale more than it helps, potentially dooming even promising players. What do you think: Should Wisconsin part ways with Fickell now, or give him the rope to prove himself? Do you see any silver lining for the Badgers, or is Ohio State set for another rout? Share your opinions in the comments below – let's debate!
