No one is happy with Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell right now. He had the opportunity to send a statement to the fanbase with a strong showing against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday night, but instead a 42-10 loss was posted. Seriously?
The Badgers were exposed on both sides of the ball and nothing went right for this team. After the defeat, Fickell looked deflated. This was a lopsided result he didn't see coming and it forced him to face his current reality: this Wisconsin team isn't very good.
The turnovers by Braedyn Locke were back-breaking once again, while the Hawkeyes' rushing attack looked dominant. While speaking to the media, Fickell didn't hold back with his thoughts on the action, providing a bit of a sad take on everything.
Luke Fickell was not happy at all following the Wisconsin loss to Iowa
"It's gonna be hard, it's going to be difficult. Coming into a bye next week, which makes it even worse, but that's the first time that I've really felt this. Even after the Alabama game, it wasn't the same thing. This was something, like, kind of your worst nightmare. To be overtaken, manhandled, and dominated, especially in the second half."Luke Fickell following the loss to Iowa
That quote is tough to read. Fickell admitted his side was manhandled and dominated, which everyone saw for the 60 minutes of action. Whenever Iowa and Wisconsin face off, there are bragging rights on the line - the two fanbases don't like one another.
Now, though, Badgers supporters everywhere have to deal with the Iowa faithful trolling them left and right. The performance from Wisconsin wasn't close to good enough in Iowa City. At the end of the day, Fickell is responsible for having his players ready to rock from the opening whistle, but that wasn't the case in Week 10.
People are calling for him to be fired, while others are claiming this team has no identity under his leadership. Something has to change and fast, as the No. 1 Oregon Ducks are on the schedule next. It could be a day to forget in Madison against Dan Lanning and Co.