The Wisconsin Badgers hit a new low on Saturday during a shocking 27-10 loss in Madison to the Maryland Terrapins. Badger Fans in attendance made their voices clear as Wisconsin went down 20-0 in the first half.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Christopher Kuhagen called that first half against the Terps “one of the worst halves of football at Camp Randall Stadium.” Kuhagen also noted the Wisconsin fanbase’s pulse.
The consensus? Fire Luke Fickell, after a 2-2 start with losses to Maryland and a 38-14 beatdown at the hands of Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Crimson Tide. Especially after losing a home game that they were favored by two scores against a Big Ten foe.
“Wisconsin football fans had seen enough,” Kuhagen wrote.
“The Wisconsin faithful might witnessed one of the worst halves of football at Camp Randall Stadium after a horrendous opening 30 minutes for the Badgers against Maryland in their Big Ten opener.
“And they showed their disgust by calling for the job of former Ohio State Buckeye Luke Fickell with boos raining down on the Wisconsin head coach.
“‘Fire Fickell,’ the student section chanted. A similar reaction was taking place on social media.
“It was in response to Wisconsin being shut out by Maryland, 20-0 at the break.
“It was mistake after mistake after mistake for Fickell's team. Coming off a blowout loss at Alabama, there was the thought that the Badgers could have some sort of "get-right" game against Maryland back at home before a bye next week. They were even 10-point favorites by the Vegas oddsmakers.”
Fickell is 15-15 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison since being hired ahead of the 2023 season. He went from a hero with the Cincinnati Bearcats to a scapegoat with the Badgers.
Fickell may have to take the defensive coordinator route or be a Group of Five head coach at his next stop. Perhaps a lower-tier Big Ten team or even a return to UC can be considered, the latter if Scott Satterfield continues to struggle in the seat.
Fickell’s buyout at Wisconsin is $25.4 million, or 80% of the remainder of his deal, and decreases each year until the contract expires.