The Wisconsin Badgers football program is in the midst of an identity crisis in mid-September. Despite a 2-1 start, Fickell's 15-14 record in Madison, it isn't up to the standard of previous Badgers teams, much less a football program primarily used to winning.
Wisconsin's gauntlet of a schedule began this past Saturday with a 38-14 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide to close out nonconference play. Entering Week 4, the Badgers sit at 15th in the Big Ten and college football pundits are beginning to have enough of Fickell's tenure.
This includes CBS Sports' Will Backus, who wrote Monday it would be smart to part ways with Fickell. Even more so before the season comes to a close, just as the UCLA Bruins opted to do when they fired DeShaun Foster Sunday.
"Saturday's 38-14 loss to Alabama served as a stark reminder of the yawning gap between the Badgers and capable college football programs," Backus wrote.
Fickell hasn't had a signature win, much less a ranked win, during his tenure. The Badgers could fire Fickell today if they wanted, but Backus writes that it would be a financial headache to do so: a $25 million one at that.
"The Badgers would owe him $25 million if they make a move before December, which would be the highest buyout in Big Ten history. Sometimes a program just has to bite -- or buy -- the bullet, especially since it's clear that Wisconsin is going nowhere fast with Fickell leading the feckless charge," Backus wrote.
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The Badgers return home to face the Maryland Terrapins, which sets up a revenge game of sorts for quarter Billy Edwards Jr. despite Danny O'Neil having settled into his starting role.
For now, though, only time will tell whether things begin to look up in Madison.