Wisconsin is 2-0 with its biggest game of the season so far staring right in front of them. The Badgers will have to travel to The Yellowhammer State to take on the fallen empire that is the Alabama Crimson Tide. While Kalen DeBoer's team did get back into the win column last Saturday, they started their season out in an 0-1 hole, based on all that went wrong down in Tallahassee vs. Florida State.
While the betting odds are not giving the Badgers much of a chance at a road upset, they might need injured starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. back to overcome the 20.5-point spread vs. the Crimson Tide. Edwards has not played for Wisconsin since right before halftime of the Week 1 home opener vs. Miami (OH). Danny O'Neil came in and guided the Badgers to a win over the RedHawks.
It was against Group of Five competition again, but O'Neil did lead the way vs. Middle Tennessee, too.
Luke Fickell provides an update on the Week 3 status of Billy Edwards Jr.
Luke Fickell's response to Billy Edwards Jr.'s status during Monday's press conference was vague.
"He's throwing the ball around. He's here constantly getting treatments and things like that. I think it's going to be where he really feels as we get later towards the week. We are going to have to protect Billy from himself. I know that at some point in time. I don't know when that is, but he's a guy that's going to be prepared, always wants to go."
Obviously, Fickell was not going to give anything away, but the "we are going to have to protect Billy from himself' quote was certainly jarring. You can take Fickell's comments as both a positive and a negative. For a positive, it seems as though he is closer to returning than expected. From a negative, Fickell beating around the bush probably indicates it is more likely than not that O'Neil gets the start.
Here is everything Fickell had to say at the podium on Monday ahead of Wisconsin's Alabama game.
Does it really matter who starts at quarterback for the Badgers when they take on the Crimson Tide?
Danny O'Neil might be getting the start again for the Wisconsin Badgers
For as talented and polished as Edwards was coming in, O'Neil has the confidence and the swagger to be the leader this team needs. While he did not win a ton last year at San Diego State, it was not like Edwards had a ton of playing experience prior to last season at Maryland either. Keep in mind that he spent the bulk of his time in College Park backing up Taulia Tagovailoa in Mike Locksley's offense.
In truth, it may not really matter who starts for the Badgers. ESPN is only giving Wisconsin an 11.1 percent chance at pulling off the road upset. While DeBoer can and will lose to anyone, just know Fickell has that kind of coaching disaster in him as well at any given time. Even though a bad loss for Wisconsin could reignite the beginning of the end for Fickell, all the pressure is on DeBoer in this one.
Ultimately, Edwards seems to be chomping at the bit to get back out there. If the medical staff believes he is healthy enough to play, Fickell might call on his number. Regardless of what happens in Bryant-Denny on Saturday, Wisconsin has nine conference games to decide the fate of its season. They would need to win around four of them to get to a bowl game, assuming they lose to Alabama.
Do not be surprised if Fickell keeps the quarterback decision close to the vest for as long as possible.