When Paul Chryst was dismissed in 2022, the University of Wisconsin football program was at a crossroads. After a decade of sustained success that included a .720 winning percentage and multiple AP Poll appearances, the team’s momentum had begun to wane, prompting a leadership change that ushered in Luke Fickell.
A Coach with a Proven Track Record Faces Early Hurdles
Fickell arrived with a résumé that included guiding Cincinnati to a College Football Playoff appearance in 2021. His early years in Madison, however, have been marked by a cascade of quarterback injuries and a depleted offensive line, forcing the staff to reassess the team’s offensive identity.
The most pressing question revolves around the quarterback position. After missing significant portions of each season under Fickell, the starting signal‑caller’s health remains a focal point. Colton Joseph, a transfer from Old Dominion known for his dual‑threat capabilities, is slated to inherit the role, having posted a marked improvement in his passer rating from 2024 to 2025.
Adding to the offensive concerns, the line has been stripped of veteran depth. Key players such as Jake Renfro and Kevin Heywood have battled injuries, and the remaining backups are largely newcomers, raising questions about the line’s durability throughout a demanding schedule.
The running back corps has also taken a hit, losing 65 percent of its 2025 production to injuries and transfers. With Gideon Ituka sidelined, the team faces a thin pool of experienced backs, limiting the ceiling of the rushing attack.
Defensively, the Badgers have shown marked improvement between the 2024 and 2025 campaigns, thanks in part to a shift toward a more even surface and refined gap control. Yet interior production remains a question mark, and the edge rush relies heavily on specialists like Sebastian Cheeks, whose availability will heavily influence the unit’s ceiling.
Looking ahead, Wisconsin’s 2026 slate presents a challenging mix of opponents, including four teams that qualified for the playoff in the previous season and six programs with AP Poll finishes. While the schedule is daunting, the defensive upgrades and a quarterback room that now offers multiple viable options provide a foundation for optimism.