Just a few short weeks ago, Luke Fickell and the Badgers were sitting at 2-6, with little hope to salvage the year. Now, after two wins against top-25 opponents, Wisconsin finds themselves in a unique situation.
While unlikely, the Badgers could still be in contention for a bowl game. The odds are still stacked against them, but there's a world the Wisconsin still gets an invite. With just one game remaining against Minnesota, the Badgers have have one last chance to keep this ride going. So what does Fickell think about all this?
"We would never turn down a game," said Fickell on Monday. "Whether that's to play in a parking lot or whether that's to play wherever, it truly doesn't matter. But what's most important, is all those kinds of things just cloud your mind. This is about a rivalry, its about an axe, its about a history. If by chance something happens after that, then we'll address that. This is all about the five days left of the last guaranteed opportunities we have together.
Badgers' focus not on bowl game despite surprising possibility
The Badgers were actually in a similar situation last year at 5-7, but unfortunately didn't get the call until too late, when all the players had already returned home. Fickell said he hasn't thought about that possibility again this year, and that his focus remains on Minnesota.
It's a bit crazy to think that Wisconsin could even be in the position now, but wins against Washington and Illinois have put the Badgers in a decent position to end the year with some momentum. Whether or not a bowl game opportunity arises is another question, but Fickell has made it clear Minnesota is the only thing on his mind.
“It’s all about getting that Axe.”