The Wisconsin Badgers lost in dramatic fashion to the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday in Wisconsin’s Big Ten opener. Wisconsin came in as 10.5 point favorites, with the game serving as a good opportunity for the Badgers to pick up a win before a daunting October stretch.
But after the end of the third quarter, the student section was cleared out, with good reason. They spared themselves from witnessing the finale of a passionless 27-10 Badger loss, departing after one last chant erupted from the stands: “Fire Fickell”.
The student’s demand is seemingly being shared widely among Badger fans and football critics alike, with the third year head coach’s sheer inability to find consistent success.
The decision to dump offensive coordinator Phil Longo last season meant Luke Fickell’s success with new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes would be a reflection on the head coach himself. So far, they’ve found little success.
Grimes employs a balanced pro-style offense, contrary to Longo’s air-raid scheme. Yet neither have found great success, showing Longo may not have been the entire problem. It is now Fickell’s turn to be directly on the hot seat.
The team's offensive struggles are far in wide, from a 39.62% third down success rate to mediocre performances by the Badgers’ rotated quarterbacks, Billy Edwards Jr. and Danny O’Neil, who can’t seem to complete a drive without being sacked. Combined, the two are sacked on 8.43% of offensive plays.
The struggles of Edwards Jr. and O’Neil represent a continuing tradition under Fickell.
While neither Edwards Jr. or O’Neil are five-star quarterbacks, it’s not farfetched to suggest Fickell is the problem, given every quarterback he’s had — Tanner Mordecai, Tyler Van Dyke, Braedyn Locke, Edwards Jr. and O’Neil — has struggled immensely.
Fickell has worked with coaches and players of different playstyles, experiences and talents, and yet he’s failed to find any rhythm whatsoever.
Statistically, the Badgers have regressed since last season. When considering these numbers, it is important to consider the Badger’s current statistics are likely the highest that they will cumulatively be all season. This is because their first two opponents — Miami (Ohio) and Middle Tennessee State — are expected to remain the two easiest ones for the Badgers this season.
Last season, Wisconsin averaged 22.6 points, 4.4 yards on each rush attempt and 5.3 yards per play. This season, the average has dropped to 20.8 points per game, 3.1 yards on each rush attempt and 5.0 yards per play.
While some of these differences may seem insignificant, they often end up being the difference between winning and losing in a game of inches..
This game was yet another disappointing moment in Fickell’s tenure. Unless he is able to flip this season on its head and win games against incredibly strong teams, he will remain on the hot seat. Fickell’s inability to find offensive production and the team’s regression, even with a new offensive coordinator, is what may eventually tank him.
He’ll have a fresh chance to right the ship Saturday as the Badgers travel to Ann Arbor to face the No. 20 Michigan Wolverines at 11:00 a.m.
