Luke Fickell remembers what happened last year when Wisconsin hosted Alabama and had to throw in a backup quarterback. It was an absolute thrubbing 42-10 as the No. 4-ranked Crimson Tide mopped the field with the Badgers. He knows what the team is getting into this week, but are they more ready? Luke Fickell was very blunt after the Middle Tennessee game, "At this moment, right now? No."
While he explained it was because of how poorly they played in the first half, he alludes to the preparation that will need to go into this week. If they are going to pull off the upset or even make it a close game, it will take a lot, and Fickell and his team will work nonstop to devise a game plan to get the Badgers ready.
However, there are a few things different about this season than last season. Some things that can give you hope even if it's slim.
Wisconsin will be more prepared for Alabama this season
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First, the backup quarterback situation is much different. If Billy Edwards Jr. can't go, Danny O'Neil has shown he can not only be a capable backup, but he can truly play to an elite level. Sure, O'Neil had a career day against a bad Middle Tennessee team, but he was decisive, aggressive, had crisp throws, and was a leader on the sideline.
Second, in a similar light, last year, Wisconsin had to throw Braedyn Locke into the fire when Tyler Van Dyke went down with an injury. No prep during the week to go with the ones, thrown right into the fire. That won't happen this time.
Lastly, the offense looks significantly better than it did last season, with the caveat of the offensive line playing well. Jeff Grimes actually made in-game adjustments, and they worked. Getting the Badgers out of the first-half funk and generating momentum that would eventually lead to 28 unanswered points.
Oh, and it doesn't help that Alabama doesn't look as strong either. This doesn't mean it will happen, but it does mean that Luke Fickell plans to use the week to prepare and give it their best shot. Wisconsin has nothing to lose; Alabama has everything to lose.