It is next to impossible to make bowl games at any level of consistency if you struggle against league opponents. While bowl games are for everyone competing at the FBS level, teams who play in Power Four leagues need to hold their own vs. Power Four competition to achieve bowl eligibility, league or not. For programs like Wisconsin, head coaches such as Luke Fickell really struggle in those spots.
On the campaign, Fickell has the Badgers at a 2-5 mark and 0-5 vs. Power Four teams (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, Notre Dame). With only five Big Ten games left, he might go 0-for-10 this season. While he could not possibly be worse than this, there are actually several other Power Four programs doing as bad of a job vs. Power Four competition, and some even worse... Let's look at the last two seasons.
There are five Power Four programs who have been worse against Power Four teams than Wisconsin.
- Purdue Boilermakers: 0-15
- Oklahoma State Cowboys: 1-14
- Kentucky Wildcats: 1-12
- Mississippi State Bulldogs: 1-12
- Florida State Seminoles: 2-13
- Maryland Terrapins: 3-12
- Wisconsin Badgers: 3-12
On3's Brett McMurphy touched on this, and what has transpired over the last two years at 15 places.
Because these Power Four wins are so few and far between, let's unpack some of them right now!
Luke Fickell is bad against Power Four teams but other coaches are worse
Wisconsin is tied with Maryland for the sixth-worst winning percentage over the Power Four the last two years at 3-12. Since the Badgers are 0-5 vs. Power four teams this year, that means they went 3-7 the year prior. Their last Big Ten win came over a year ago vs. Northwestern on Oct. 19, 2024. They also beat Rutgers and Purdue during league play a year ago. Their seventh loss was against Alabama.
For those questioning those results, here is every Wisconsin Power Four game's score since 2024.
Date | Opponent | Final Score |
|---|---|---|
Sept. 14, 2024 | Alabama Crimson Tide | L, 42-10 |
Sept. 28, 2024 | at USC Trojans | L, 38-21 |
Oct. 5, 2024 | Purdue Boilermakers | W, 52-6 |
Oct. 12, 2024 | at Rutgers Scarlet Knights | W, 42-7 |
Oct. 19, 2024 | at Northwestern Wildcats | W, 23-3 |
Oct. 26, 2024 | Penn State Nittany Lions | L, 28-13 |
Nov. 2, 2024 | at Iowa Hawkeyes | L, 42-10 |
Nov. 16, 2024 | Oregon Ducks | L, 16-13 |
Nov. 23, 2024 | at Nebraska Cornhuskers | L, 44-25 |
Nov. 29, 2024 | Minnesota Golden Gophers | L, 24-7 |
Sept. 13, 2025 | at Alabama Crimson Tide | L, 38-14 |
Sept. 20, 2025 | Maryland Terrapins | L, 27-10 |
Oct. 4, 2025 | at Michigan Wolverines | L, 24-10 |
Oct. 11, 2025 | Iowa Hawkeyes | L, 38-0 |
Oct. 18, 2025 | Ohio State Buckeyes | L, 34-0 |
Yes, it was that bad... Outside of a three-week run in October of last year, Wisconsin has been pitiful.
As for the other six Power Four teams at or worse than Wisconsin's 3-12 mark dating back to last year, Maryland has wins over Virginia and USC a year ago, as well as the Badgers defeat this year to sit at 3-12. Florida State's two Power Four wins since 2024 are home vs. Cal last year and home vs. Alabama to start this season to be 2-13. As for the other four programs of note, there are three wins.
Jeff Lebby's Mississippi State Bulldogs stunned Arizona State at home early this season. Mark Stoops' Kentucky Wildcats shocked Ole Miss in Oxford during homecoming last year. Oklahoma State's last win of any significance came over a year ago vs. Arkansas. Mike Gundy is out of his job now. As for Purdue, Barry Odom has yet to win a Power Four game since taking over for Ryan Walters.
Overall, Wisconsin appears to be on the fast track to creeping even closer to the bottom of this list. With five games left, all in league play and vs. Power Four opponents, do you think the Badgers are going to beat Oregon, Washington, Indiana, Illinois or Minnesota? They might get one if they are lucky. That would have Wisconsin's record vs. Power Four teams at 3-17 if they lose out, 4-16 if it wins one.
If you want to get paid the big bucks to coach in the Power Four, you have to win those games, man.