It seems like Luke Fickell has given up on his team and on winning. It's another game and another example of Fickell making a "throw in the towel" moment during the game. This time, down 17-0 to Ohio State, the Buckeyes missed a field goal. There was more than a minute left, and Wisconsin had two timeouts in the bag. A clear opportunity to at least try to get down the field and kick a field goal or score a touchdown or something.
Luke Fickell decided to let his team run the ball and, a few times, burn Ohio State's timeouts (who were still trying to score before half), and walk into halftime down multiple scores. Wisconsin fans in the stands and on social media couldn't believe it.
YOU HAVE MORE THAN A MINUTE WITH MULTIPLE TIME OUTS DOWN 3 POSSESSIONS AND FICKELL JUST GIVES UP GET THIS COWARD AWAY FROM OUR PROGRAM
— Ryan (@BrewPack8) October 18, 2025
Down 17–0, and Fickell decides to run down the clock to punt on 4th and 1. Legendary stuff.
— Badger Barstool (@badgerbarstool) October 18, 2025
Its a 17 point game at home, and you're massive underdogs. two timeouts. You've had a pair of sustained drives. OSU gets the ball after halftime.
— Cam Wilhorn (@CamWilhorn) October 18, 2025
There's literally no reason not to TRY.
Luke Fickell earlier in the week said that Wisconsin would play like they had nothing to lose, but they aren't
Related: The Wisconsin Badgers offense has given up scoring points until Luke Fickell is fired
During his weekly press conference, Fickell described this game as a "nothing to lose" game and said that the Badgers could go out there and be aggressive. Yet, this decision shows the exact opposite. At least act like you believe in your players and somehow pull off the improbable upset. A turnover in the moment, even running back for a touchdown, would be easier to swallow than a coach who isn't trying.
The offense has been miserable for three straight games, going 27 possessions and only scoring a garbage time field goal two games ago against Michigan. Therefore, Fickell may have been holding on to hope that somehow in the second half they could battle and win. Yet, the lack of aggressiveness in a game that could easily get out of hand in favor of the Buckeyes, is disappointing.
He's out there fighting for his job and yet it looks like he's fine with losing it.