It was not pretty, but nothing ever is for the Wisconsin Badgers, no? Entering Saturday's home date vs. the Washington Huskies, Wisconsin was 2-6 on the season and riding a six-game losing streak, all to Power Four opponents. With head coach Luke Fickell getting an unpopular vote of confidence from his boss in athletic director Chris McIntosh, Wisconsin had every reason to mail it in on Saturday.
Blessed with a frigid wintry mix, the Badgers won the ugliest game you will ever see over Washington in Week 11, 13-10. Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. had a miserable time with the weather and the relentless Mike Tressel pass rush. Although starting quarterback Danny O'Neil had to leave the game with what looks to be a serious Achilles injury, Carter Smith came in and played like a vet.
The stats will not do it justice, so let's not make a big deal out of them. The point is Smith is a true freshman who was able to help his team beat a ranked opponent at home in the elements. It was about ball control and not doing anything too risky. With three games left vs. conference foes and a slim shot at bowl eligibility in sight, one this is abundantly clear for the Badgers: Carter is the starter!
With nothing left to lose, it should be Smith going up against Indiana, Illinois, and then Minnesota.
Carter Smith should lead Wisconsin Badgers the rest of the way at QB
Quarterback play has been the bane of the Badgers' existence under Fickell. Seemingly everyone under the sun who plays this position for him succumbs to something we can only describe as what happens to Spinal Tap drummers, albeit without the morbidity to it... Regardless, Smith seems to give this offense some spark that has been missing. O'Neil offered it on occasion, but Smith surely has it.
With the season hanging in the balances, what does Wisconsin have to lose other than its final three games? This is all about sending positive vibes into next year. This win will take Fickell off the hot seat. Not to say Wisconsin really has any chance at Indiana next week, but the Hoosiers looked especially vulnerable vs. a hapless Penn State Nittany Lions team in State College. It could happen once again...
In short, Wisconsin finally has some positive momentum after six straight losses. If Fickell really wants to be this team's head coach moving forward, he cannot squash it. This team has been left dead to rights in large part to his own doing. Rather than make a mess of it once again, Wisconsin should start the quarterback with the brightest future on its roster in Smith forever going forward.
This win has been a long time coming, so feel free to Jump Around and celebrating this huge upset!