This could either work out wonderfully for the Wisconsin Badgers, or totally blow up in their faces. In the lead-up to their Week 4 home game vs. the Maryland Terrapins, Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell let it be known that he plans to play former Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. against his former team. Edwards suffered a significant knee injury shortly before halftime way back in Week 1.
Fickell relayed this information to ESPN's Pete Thamel citing, "Billy will go and we'll see how comfortable he is. We have a plan both ways." This is a controversial decision because Wisconsin was already favored by 9.5 points over visiting Maryland coming in. It was understood that Edwards' backup in Danny O'Neil would likely be getting the start for the Badgers vs. the Terrapins in Week 4.
The thought was Wisconsin might be good enough to beat Maryland at home with its backup quarterback, allowing Edwards to get even healthier during the bye week before the Michigan road date in two weeks. Instead, Fickell is playing with fire entering a game that could either serve as a jumping off point for the Badgers, or the beginning of their long downward spiral during Big Ten play.
With this game being of emotional value for Edwards, it is understandable to see why Fickell caved.
Luck Fickell on Billy Edwards Jr. in the pregame radio: “Billy will go and we’ll see how comfortable he is. We have a plan both ways.”
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 20, 2025
Given what it coming up on their Big Ten schedule, the Maryland date is undeniably a must-win here.
Wisconsin Badgers to start Billy Edwards Jr. vs. Maryland Terrapins.
In theory, a close to healthy Edwards would give the Badgers a slightly more decided edge over the Terrapins on Saturday. Having Edwards lead the Badgers out of the tunnel could give the entire team a bit more juice than it was expecting with O'Neil under center. As long as the offensive line protects Edwards, the Badgers might be able to come out of this questionable decision made by Fickell okay.
However, everybody and their brother knows that the only way the Badgers end up going 4-5 or better in Big Ten play and make a bowl game is with a fully healthy Edwards playing quarterback. O'Neil might be able to win a few conference games, but he is more unproven than the Week 1 starter is for the Badgers. Again, having a bye after this week would have guaranteed Edwards to be healthy.
Regardless of if this decision made by Fickell was good or not, Wisconsin has no choice but to win this game. The home date vs. Maryland is by far and away the easiest game they have on their remaining schedule. Going into the bye week at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Big Ten play looks exponentially better than being 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play riding a two-game skid ahead of Michigan.
Wisconsin also cannot afford another slow start because Maryland is 3-0 and can score some points.