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"WE ARE DOOMED" Wisconsin Football Alums React to "Embarassing" Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kedrick Stumbris | Last updated Nov 23, 2024 11:58 PM ET

Before Saturday evening, the Wisconsin football program had not suffered a loss at the hands of the Nebraska Cornhuskers in over 12 years. That streak and the 'Huskers seven-year bowl drought came to a screeching halt with a 44-25 Nebraska victory over Wisconsin.

The Badgers (5-6, 3-5 Big Ten) now sit at the precipice of ending a proud 22-season run in which Wisconsin was bowl-eligible in each.

"We're going to have to look real deep here in a short week and find out who's with us and who's willing to put it all, lay it all out on the line for these seniors coming up next week," Wisconsin football head coach Luke Fickell said in a post-game interview. Former Badgers players, however, seem unsatisfied with the effort of their former team under the leadership of the second-year head coach at UW.

JJ Watt Rips Wisconsin Football Team's "Physicality"

Perhaps the most prominent former Badgers football player out there voiced his frustrations on Saturday. JJ Watt bemoaned hearing "how much tougher" Wisconsin's opponents are than his alma mater.

Losing happens, it’s part of the game.

Hearing announcers talk about how much tougher and more physical Nebraska & Iowa are while getting blown out… that’s the issue.

We are Wisconsin.
Physicality, running game, great O-Line and great defense.
That is our identity.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) November 24, 2024

Other alumni did not have as much to say, but single words conveyed their frustrations.

Embarrassing
— Isaiah Mullens (@MullensIsaiah) November 23, 2024

Speechless…
— Brian Calhoun (@brian_calhoun2) November 23, 2024

Or, when words fail, be like Super Bowl champion Jack Cichy and use a GIF!

pic.twitter.com/CLfNk2ex8Z
— Jack Cichy (@jackCICHY) November 23, 2024

"Not Nebraska.." Braelon Allen Laments Wisconsin Football Loss at Cornhuskers

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen saw the beginning of the Fickell era firsthand. In his final year with the Badgers, Allen played under Fickell and now former offensive coordinator Phil Longo. In his year away from the program, the Fond du Lac native has not been impressed.

Not Nebraska..
— Braelon Allen (@BraelonAllen) November 23, 2024

I remember when I said we were slipping to the bottom of the Big Ten earlier this year and ppl was at my NECK … WELP !!! WE ARE DOOMED ‍‍♂️
— Sojourn Shelton II (@_SDS8) November 23, 2024

Obviously a bad year or rebuild year, w.e you wanna call it. Cool BUT GETTING BEAT LIKE THAT VS NEBRASKA WHO SUCKS TOO . Idk man … IDK pic.twitter.com/K8aUHhcyYx
— Sojourn Shelton II (@_SDS8) November 23, 2024

Former Offensive Tackle Jake Maxwell Compares Luke Fickell to Struggling Chicago Bears Coach

Former Wisconsin offensive tackle Jake Maxwell may have had the harshest words for Fickell. The Greendale, Wisconsin native compared Fickell to Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus, who has amassed a 14-30 record in his three seasons in Chicago.

He’s the same coach as Matt Eberflus https://t.co/y2WnwQ99qs
— Jake Maxwell (@J_Max_well) November 23, 2024

I will say it again… the #Badgers hired a coach who dismantled everything Wisconsin was built on.

Now we get to watch him on the sidelines with his stupid sweatervest, chewing gum way too aggresively, as he coaches not to lose every week, rather than to win the game. #Badgers
— Jake Maxwell (@J_Max_well) November 23, 2024

We hired a DC who got his chance at play caller AFTER MSU’s playoff run to be the guy & he was AWFUL for them…

MSU has yet to recover.

Why did the Badgers think a formerly failed DC would work out for them?

Because Fickell has no idea what he’s doing, that’s why.#Badgers
— Jake Maxwell (@J_Max_well) November 23, 2024

Not yet finished with his criticism, Maxwell continued to compare the Badgers head coach to another coach Wisconsin sports fans may not have an affinity for: Minnesota Gophers football coach PJ Fleck. Maxwell declared that the Gophers have "a significantly better" head coach than the Wisconsin football program.

I never thought Id see the day where Id openly admit that Minn has a significantly better HC than WI

A man wearing shades at a night game, 1 of the biggest clowns in CFB, is undoubtedly a better coach than Luke Fickell

Fickell needs to row the boat far away from UW#Badgers
— Jake Maxwell (@J_Max_well) November 23, 2024

Badger Football Alumni Weigh-In On Wisconsin's Hiring and Firing Decisions

After Fickell fired offensive coordinator Phil Longo, former Badger football players quickly made jokes or suggestions for further changes to Wisconsin's coaching staff.