2025 Badger Football Thread

So, it's over.

It went pretty much how everyone thought. We would have to be perfect to shock the world. We were'nt.

Before the first interception, the momentum was about equal. I thought the game ended on the first interception. 'Bama flipped the momentum and cruised.

Bucky was outmanned. It was like Holmes fighting Randall Tex Cobb - we were not Holmes. Even without injuries it wouldn't have been much different. They simply were bigger, faster, and football smarter than we were.

However, there are some good things that happened today:
  1. Bucky didn't quit. All too often, Bucky has quit on a little adversity. I thought they fought hard all day. They played as good as they could it just wasn't enough.
  2. Run defense. I thought the run defense was pretty good. Except for Oregon and them Ohio State, we won't be facing a passing attack close to that.
  3. Quarterback - O'Neil. Yes, O'Neil.
    1. He maddingly does makes bad decisions and bad passes. But, he also shows flashes. Don't right him off. If he can learn from this that he has to get the ball out on time, that his receivers will be open, and throw it, he might be a diamond in the rough. Remember the 'Bama QB who was unstoppable today was horrible week 1.
    2. Honestly, he has a tough job with a poor offensive line. I don't know about the receivers because our offensive line has been so ineffective that our quarterbacks don't have time or much time to make their reads and passes.
Coaching has to improve:
  • I don't like the fancy trick plays. I don't think we have the talent and football IQ players to pull them off. The extra personal efforts on the Flea Flicker turned a disaster into a first down. It wasn't the play.
  • 'Bama was playing fast, was going for it, Bucky didn't look ready at times. How is this? You can be getting your ass kicked, realize your opponent is playing fast, and still get your ass in position at the line of scrimmage.
The offensive line is a disaster. How the mighty have fallen. I get that we aren't top tier or a first selection. But how can we not at least find some big ol' mean guys to knock people off the line or at least hit them before they hit our quarterback.

Bucky is 2-1. Bucky was expected to be 2-1. I stand with my belief that Bucky:

  • Makes a Bowl Game
  • Gets at least 1 against them Ohio State, Oregon, and Michigan.
It all starts next week against Maryland. Win that and we're on the way back.
 
This is the first game for Bucky. Maryland is coming in roughly at the same level. Bucky needs to win this game! And, unfortunately so does Maryland. Talent should be roughly equal. It's going to be who wants it more. It's at Camp Randall. Bucky absolutely needs to find a way to win.

If Bucky loses this one, I don't think Bucky gets to a Bowl Game. So, this is the game.

Even though the buyout is huge, if Bucky loses this one. It could start the end of Coach Fickell. I'm not in favor of it, but it could start it. Or, Bucky's just going to throw up its hands, not be competitive, and have fun with the Band. But Maryland is not Iowa, Illinois, or Minnesota. Bucky and Coach Fick need this one. It's kind of sad, but I think this would be Coach Fick's best win.
 
Keg Man said:
This is the first game for Bucky. Maryland is coming in roughly at the same level. Bucky needs to win this game! And, unfortunately so does Maryland. Talent should be roughly equal. It's going to be who wants it more. It's at Camp Randall. Bucky absolutely needs to find a way to win.

If Bucky loses this one, I don't think Bucky gets to a Bowl Game. So, this is the game.

Even though the buyout is huge, if Bucky loses this one. It could start the end of Coach Fickell. I'm not in favor of it, but it could start it. Or, Bucky's just going to throw up its hands, not be competitive, and have fun with the Band. But Maryland is not Iowa, Illinois, or Minnesota. Bucky and Coach Fick need this one. It's kind of sad, but I think this would be Coach Fick's best win.
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Unless a booster is going to come in with big money UW is stuck with Fickell thru 2028 maybe 2029 with his contract buyout. I believe it's until Dec. 2029 that if Fickell gets fired before that he gets 80% of his remaining contract value and after Dec. 2029 I think it's a fixed $6.5 million he gets as a buyout.
 
GBP4EVER said:
Unless a booster is going to come in with big money UW is stuck with Fickell thru 2028 maybe 2029 with his contract buyout. I believe it's until Dec. 2029 that if Fickell gets fired before that he gets 80% of his remaining contract value and after Dec. 2029 I think it's a fixed $6.5 million he gets as a buyout.
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stupidest contract ever.
 
I think Coach Fick was a good hire. I thought it would turn out a lot better.

I think he crushed his program bringing in the Air Raid then yet apparently - all from innuendo and rumor - not letting it happen. If you're going to Air Raid - Raid. Don't try and get Air Raid players and play Old School Wisconsin Football even part time. I never understood that. Unless he was told this is what you're going to do and bowed down to get the big salary, I just don't understand it.

Regardless, I don't know why you extend and increase his contract when he wasn't producing.

All of that is over. This week is the week. Bucky needs this win. I read Vegas has us a 7.5 point favorites.

But, if Bucky comes out slow, they won't have a good result. Bucky needs to come out mean, nasty, and inspired from the opening whistle.
 
Crease Creature said:
Saw the forecast for Tuscaloosa this weekend, and I am on the lookout for my patented* game scenario where one of our WI teams, here Badgers football, has spent the last 3 weeks in crisp, fall-like weather (avg high in Madison the last 30 days was 60) and is now heading to the SE where it's gonna be in the low 90s, though relatively modest humidity for the time of year.

Look for Bucky to be sluggish, but perhaps not overly so.

Similar fate may await Green Bay in Dallas or Phoenix next month, but both those stadiums are climate controlled, yeah?
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My first negative data point! Humidity seems to be a more important factor. Despite how awful we played, I do see the Run D showed up, but Alabama was able to move the ball effectively by other means so...

At least Wisconsin didn't let the heat get to them!
 
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