From Chryst to Fickell: Wisconsin’s Steep Decline Continues

The Wisconsin offense, on the other hand, did very little to help out a defense that was keeping them in the game. Besides the opening drive, the Wisconsin offense struggled all game, only putting together three drives of three or more plays. The Badgers came into the game ranked No. 117 (323.5) in total yards a game, 90th (205.8) in passing and 109th (117.8) in rushing yards per game. The offense showed no inclination in the game that it’s getting better.  After putting up just 252 total yards against Michigan, Fickell’s offense managed just 177 yards in the air and 75 on the ground.

The strength of Wisconsin was their ability the run the ball, which has disappeared under Fickell. Wisconsin averaged 2.7 yards per carry compared to Michigan’s 5.1.

Not the AAC

Fickell came to Wisconsin after finding success at Cincinnati. In his six years, he had a record of 57-19 and a trip to the College football Playoff in 2021. The Bearcats were the first Group of 5 team to earn a spot in the CFP before losing in the semifinals to Alabama 27-6. Fickell found success in the American Conference but has yet to prove he can do the same inside the Big Ten. Just to find Fickell’s last big win, you have to go back to Oct. 2, 2021, when Cincinnati beat No. 9 Notre Dame 24-13.

With the loss and one of the hardest schedules to finish the year, Wisconsin is looking at its second straight losing season. If that happens, it will be three of his four seasons he has ended with a losing record.

Fickell spent one year as Ohio State as the interim head coach after taking over for Jim Tressel. In the 201l season, Fickell led Ohio State to a 6-7, 3-5 record. The following year, Urban Meyer went 12-0 overall and 8-0 In conference play. And after finishing 5-7 a year ago, it’s becoming more apparent that Fickell just doesn’t have what it takes to win at the highest level.

Wisconsin is now at a crossroads and needs to decide if it wants to compete with the conference’s best or fall by the way side. Because if it’s winning, Fickell is not the man to do it. Conference realignment has made the top of the Big Ten comparable, if not better than, the SEC. And with NIL leveling the playing field, the Big Ten is just going to get better.

Wisconsin needs to find someone who can not only win games but unite a fanbase to maximize the resources Wisconsin football has available. Wisconsin has to find someone who can do what Curt Cignetti was able to do at Indiana. It might be a tall ask, but it has to be worth trying rather than continuing this nonsense.