Badger of Honor
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Former Wisconsin star linebacker says it's not time to judge Fickell: 'Stay positive'

He's right and yet it's frustrating.
ByMark Knight|
Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Vince Biegel (47) during the Lambeau Field College Classic against the LSU Tigers at Lambeau Field. Wisconsin won 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Vince Biegel (47) during the Lambeau Field College Classic against the LSU Tigers at Lambeau Field. Wisconsin won 16-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Wisconsin Badgers just lost another embarrassing game to Alabama. Two years in a row, we've had to watch an unprepared and undisciplined team go out and face a sizable talent gap, and simply can't keep up. It's tough. In the wake of the loss, former star Wisconsin linebacker Vince Biegel posts on social media to stay positive and that this game wasn't what determined Luke Fickell's fate.

Biegel argues that Wisconsin brass and thus fans shouldn't judge Fickell on the Alabama game this season but instead on the upcoming Big Ten schedule. Intentionally highlighting Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Indiana. Those are the games that will determine if Fickell is retained or not in his mind.

Wisconsin seems to be spinning its wheels year after year under Luke Fickell

Related: The only silver lining for Wisconsin football in the loss to Alabama

The hard part for most Wisconsin fans is that the Badgers should be able to stay competitive in games against even the best of the best. This is a proud program with a proud fan base, and it's unacceptable to continue living as a second-tier program. Sure, Alabama will always bring in the 5-stars and Wisconsin the 3-4 stars. However, that hasn't stopped the Badgers from being competitive and even competing for the top.

Luke Fickell is now 0-7 against ranked opponents while the coach at Wisconsin. Yes, he's never had his starting quarterback go in any of those contests. Ever since he's been here, he's had to deal with backups. However, the rest of the team should be taking a leap forward.

At the end of the day, though, Biegel is right. Fickell was never going to be judged by this game. Even the most optimistic fans had this as a loss. So, the bounce back will be important for Maryland and beyond.

Fickell was always going to get this whole season and most likely next season, too. Why? The marketing around how demanding the schedule is makes it easy to blame it on that. However, he has to show improvement. This team needs to improve and still needs to secure six wins, somehow.

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