Now what for the Wisconsin Badgers and head man Luke Fickell? Just when you thought things couldn't get more frustrating for this team, another disappointing performance was posted, this time against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
On Saturday, both squads took the field with 5-5 records, but Nebraska looked like a CFP contender against the Badgers, posting a 44-25 victory. Wisconsin's defense couldn't do much of anything, while the offense struggled at times too.
Because of this, program legends are now starting to voice their displeasure. The list includes the one and only J.J. Watt, one of the best pass-rushers fans have ever seen. Even Watt knows this team has no identity right now under Fickell, something that needs to change as soon as possible:
Losing happens, it’s part of the game.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 24, 2024
Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out… that’s the issue.
We are Wisconsin.
Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense.
That is our identity.
J.J. Watt and other Wisconsin legends are not happy with Luke Fickell's team
It's not tough to see the kind of point Watt is trying to get across here. Him saying, "We are Wisconsin. Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense. That is our identity" stands out quite a bit here.
Throughout history, the Badgers have been known as being a tough team, who win the battles in the trenches. In the rivalry losses to Iowa and Nebraska, that hasn't been the case, with the Badgers being on the wrong side of proverbial haymakers far too many times.
Against Nebraska, Braedyn Locke tossed for 292 yards and three touchdowns, but he also had yet another interception. Darrion Dupree led the team with 63 rushing yards. Tawee Walker had 55 yards on 14 carries. Those numbers aren't going to cut it.
Fickell fired Phil Longo and he's going to be looking for a new, stud offensive coordinator this offseason. Countless people are calling for Fickell to get back to the old ways of Wisconsin ball. Trying to throw the ball all over the field hasn't worked the past two years. Fans are tired of seeing the Badgers run away from what led to so much success in the past. Watt is tired of it too, as he hates seeing his alma mater lose to Iowa and Nebraska in such lopsided fashion.