Change can be a good thing, but it has been especially hard to come by at Wisconsin. Despite a 2-6 start to the season, ineffective head coach Luke Fickell has been empowered by athletic director Chris McIntosh to enter next season as the Badgers head coach. 11 weeks into this season, Fickell has been fickle when it comes to his consistently quarterback evaluations. It has been so frustrating.
After seeing Billy Edwards Jr. suffer a pair of injuries in both of his starts, we have seen Danny O'Neil get the nod in games, as well as Hunter Simmons. With the season getting so out of hand, there was some belief that promising freshman Carter Smith would get his chance. Instead, it looks like it will be O'Neil leading the way yet again. He has played some since Simmons took over for him previously.
On3's Pete Nakos was on all over O'Neil getting the start this weekend for Wisconsin vs. Washington.
Wisconsin is making a quarterback change again and expected to go back to Danny O’Neil against Washington, sources tell @On3sports.
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) November 8, 2025
He came off bench for Billy Edwards and has thrown for 635 yards with 5 TDs and 5 INTs this season. https://t.co/A7Y5i2Jbct pic.twitter.com/0rPkqrSNyv
On the season, O'Neil has thrown for 635 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions for the Badgers. He helped guide the team to victory over the Miami RedHawks in Week 1, as well as got the start and the win in the Badgers' most recent victory to date. That would be at home in Week 2 vs. the lowly Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. He also got the start vs. Alabama before Simmons took over.
Keep in mind that Edwards got the start against his former team in the Maryland Terrapins in Week 4.
Wisconsin Badgers fans are wondering when they will see Carter Smith
Clearly, the entire fanbase has moved on from this bad team. Apathy is at an all-time high. While the allure of Edwards was great entering the season, he looks to have been made of glass. Although Smith would not lose any eligibility if he were to play, Fickell may not want to risk it with Wisconsin still technically alive for a bowl game. Simmons was not ready to face FCS competition, so it is O'Neil here.
O'Neil is not perfect, but the Badgers offense has been its most effective when he is playing quarterback for them. Edwards can really spin it, but he is not likely going to play another down for this team. With O'Neil, he has the threat of running the ball and keeping the chains moving. When Simmons was under center, things were a bit too disjointed and the offense never really got going.
As far as when Smith could play or start, that might come as soon as next week vs. Indiana. Wisconsin may be 2-7 by then and out of the mix to fall ass backwards into achieving bowl eligibility. Then again, Fickell and his staff recruited three transfer portal quarterbacks in Edwards, O'Neil and Simmons. Regardless, we may see Smith in action sooner rather than later, but for now, it is O'Neil.
At this point of the season, Wisconsin is just trying to get to the finish in as close to one piece.