Luke Fickell and Badger football face a crucial year in 2025 after experiencing the worst season in nearly two decades for the program. There's a lot to like now, such as a new offensive system and quarterback, but a lot to question, like a brutal schedule and lack of top-end talent. So what are the three most likely outcomes this year for Wisconsin?
1. Worst Case Scenario (4-8)
Last season, the Badgers finished 5-7 and missed out on a bowl game. As bad as that was, there is still slight possibility things go south even further in 2025. Wisconsin has the most difficult schedule in the Big Ten, and would need multiple wins against ranked teams to be better than a .500 team. While the new look roster seems better on paper, there will be anywhere from 12-15 new starters across the board that could take time to build chemistry.
In this scenario the Badgers would lose to every ranked opponent and have one or two bad losses to inferior teams as well. It's probably unlikely things get this bad, but Fickell has yet to beat a ranked opponent at Wisconsin so this doomsday scenario isn't entirely impossible.
2. Status Quo (5-7) or (6-6)
Wisconsin's current over/under for the season is set at 5.5 wins and what would basically equate to the same result as last year. Even if they win an extra game and pull themselves up to a .500 team, it doesn't really move the needle too much. After two straight years of disappointing football, a third year of this would probably push fans to call for coaches' jobs.
The Wisconsin standard has sunk recently, and regardless of a tough schedule in 2025, being content with a middling team playing in some random bowl you just learned existed isn't what Badger football is about. Another average season just isn't good enough, and while this is probably the most likely outcome, it's still a troublesome one.
3. Best Case Scenario (8-4)
The stars would have to align, but there is a world Wisconsin wins eight games this year. Say that the new transfers, especially quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., are levels above last year's roster, and say that a tough schedule at first look ends up being a paper tiger. There is a way that the Badgers can come out of 2025 with a ton of momentum going forward.
While eight wins as a best case scenario may seem low, you'd be hard-pressed to find a Badger fan disappointed with that result. It likely means multiple wins over ranked opponents and potentially even a top-25 ranking for themselves. After back-to-back years of mediocrity, this type of year would get things back on track.