Heading into the fall, Luke Fickell could be facing a make-or-break year at Wisconsin. Here’s a look at the state of Michigan’s Week 5 opponent and what the Badgers have been up to this offseason:
After firing Paul Chryst during the 2022 season, Wisconsin was looking to make an upgrade by hiring Luke Fickell as its next head coach. Things haven’t gotten off to the best start to his tenure though, as the Badgers are just 13-13 over the last two seasons. As we head into the 2025 season, Fickell and the program could be in for a make-or-break season.
Here’s a look at where things stand for the Wisconsin program and what Michigan fans can expect when the Badgers come to town in early October.
The Basics
Game information: Saturday, Oct. 4, Michigan Stadium
2024 record: 5-7
2025 projected wins: 5.5 (per FanDuel )
Last matchup: 2021, Michigan won, 38-17
Roster Moves
Notable draft losses: WR Bryson Green, OT Jack Nelson, OT Joe Huber, LB Jaheim Thomas, LB John Pius, CB R.J. Declancy, S Hunter Wohler
Notable portal losses: QB Tyler Van Dyke, QB Braedyn Locke, RB Tawee Walker, RB Nate White, WR Mark Hamper, TE Tanner Koziol, IOL James Durand, DL James Thompson Jr.
Notable portal additions: QB Billy Edwards, WR Dekel Crowdus, WR Jayden Ballard, TE Lance Mason, IOL Davis Heinzen, DL Jay’Viar Suggs, DL Parker Petersen, DE Corey Walker, LB Tyreese Fearbry, S Matthew Traynor
State of the Program
Once the power of the Big Ten West, Wisconsin has come crashing back down to earth over the last few seasons. The program was rolling through the late 2010s, but the 2020s haven’t been so kind to the Badgers. Wisconsin grew stagnant as an above average program, which is what led to hiring Fickell after 2022.
Fickell had developed quite the resume for himself at Cincinnati, making the Bearcats the only non-Power 5 team to make the College Football Playoff in the four-team era back in 2021. The hope was he could help the Badgers ascend into the ranks of the Big Ten’s top programs like Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan, but it’s been just the opposite so far.
Last season was a big struggle for the Badgers, as they went just 5-7. The offense was particularly concerning, as they averaged just 22.6 points per game. This season, Wisconsin brought in veteran Billy Edwards to take over as its starting quarterback. He threw for 2,881 yards and 15 touchdowns at Maryland a year ago and added 148 more yards on the ground.
To help Edwards, Wisconsin brought in receiver Jayden Ballard from Ohio State while also bringing back Anthony Vinny, its receiving yardage leader from 2024. On the ground, the Badgers haven’t found their next elite running back. Tawee Walker, the rushing leader from a year ago, transferred out this offseason, leaving senior Cade Yacamelli as the likely starting option.
Flipping to the defense, Wisconsin finished in the middle of the pack nationally at No. 46 in points allowed per game with 23.1. This offseason, Fickell brought in a handful of transfers along the defensive line, but the names to know are Parker Petersen and Corey Walker.
At linebacker, the Badgers brought back junior Christian Alliegro, who finished second on the team in tackles last season with 66. He’ll be joined by Tackett Curtis, forming an experienced duo that should solidify the middle of the defense.
In the secondary, Wisconsin lost Hunter Wohler to the NFL, but there are plenty of experienced options to play the corner and safety positions, including Ricardo Hallman, Austin Brown and Preston Zachman. One addition to the room is junior Matthew Traynor, a safety that made 61 tackles and picked off two passes at Richmond a year ago.
Heading into the season, Fickell and company are hoping the transfer additions they made will be substantial enough to get the program back on the right track. They’ll have their work cut out for them when they come to Ann Arbor in October, as it doesn’t seem like they have the firepower right now to pull of the early-season upset.