wisconsin football

Week 4 B1G Viewing Guide + WOF Picks

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Conference play has started. Real games are finally here. Every team is still alive in the B1G conference race… theoretically.

What is WOF up to this Weekend? 

We will be dodging raindrops at the Wisconsin vs Maryland game. Other than that, we plan on watching as much B1G action as possible this weekend, including the game of the week in Bloomington. 

  • Odds listed refer to spreads taken from FanDuel at the time of writing

A B1G Weekend – TV Viewing Schedule

Friday 7:00 PM CST: Sicko’s Committee Approved

Iowa at Rutgers (+2.5) – (FOX)

Avert your eyes unless you enjoy terrible football, excessive punting, and games that will have zero impact on the postseason. 

Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis – Learned to throw after leaving Minnesota.

11:00 AM CST: Billy’s Revenge… maybe

Maryland at Wisconsin (-10.5) – (NBC)

Wisconsin brought in a transfer QB to lead the program to success in 2025. That QB? Billy Edwards Jr., a grad transfer from Maryland. This is a massive revenge spot for Billy against his former employer. There’s just one problem: he’s a game-time decision with a knee injury. 

2:30 PM CST: Blue Bloods

21 Michigan at Nebraska (+2.5) – (CBS)

Michigan…

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5 Things – Bama Beatdown Breakdown

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What did we learn from the Bama Beatdown of Wisconsin in Tuscaloosa?

1 – Wisconsin’s secondary will lose them games.

Ty Simpson is not an exceptional quarterback. Against Wisconsin, he threw for 382 yards, 4 TDs, and 0 picks. That’s a problem. Wisconsin’s secondary made it easy for him all day long. Teams that can throw it – Oregon, Ohio State, Illinois, Washington – will score at will against the Badgers. 

2 – Wisconsin’s run defense will win them games.

Wisconsin is now 4th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game. I feel comfortable saying the D-Line is fixed. Bama was held to an abysmal 72 yards on the ground despite leading for the entire game. Teams that rely on the run to make their offense go, Wisconsin can dominate. Iowa, Minnesota, and Indiana look a lot more manageable now. 

3 – Danny isn’t ready, bring back Billy.

I’ve seen enough. QB Danny O’Neil panicked far too often. He would make his 1st read, they wouldn’t be open, and then he’d either check it down or get sacked. The Badgers need a guy who can get to their 2nd and 3rd downfield reads. Bring back Billy.

4

…

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Down to Dixieland – Wisco at Bama Preview

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Does Wisconsin even have a chance?

For the first time ever, Wisconsin is playing AT Alabama. The 3 previous meetings were twice in Camp Randall and once in Jerry’s World. This is a once in a lifetime roadtrip. If only this Badgers team resembled one from the Alverez era. Where the program is right now, no one is giving Wisconsin a chance. 

Game Preview: Alabama

Wisconsin at 19 Alabama

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa AL

When: Saturday, 9/13 – 11:00 AM (CST)

How to Watch: ABC

Spread: Alabama -20.5

O/U: 46.5

Vegas Projected Score: 34 – 13, Alabama over Wisconsin

Alabama Crimson Tide’s Current Record: 1-1
Only win is over Louisiana-Monroe (ULM)

Injuries

The Game is 3 days away, but it is already defined by injuries.

Wisconsin Injuries

There are 2 big ones. 

QB – Billy Edwards Jr. – Knee sprain in Week 1
When Billy went down in week 1, there were fears the 2025 season was a wash. But there was a certainty that the Bama game wasn’t even worth playing. Then Danny came out in week 2 and was nearly perfect. 85% completion, 3 TDs, 283 yards, and 1 INT that wasn’t his fault. 

When I went to …

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Wisco Wednesday: Week 2 Recap

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A Tale of Two Halves. The good and the bad. 

The Bad

The Entire 1st Half

14 – 10 at the end of the first half is unacceptable. The team started slow with no energy. Wisconsin had a grand total of 17 rushing yards. Dilin Jones dropped a pass that led to an INT that led to 7 points for Middle Tennessee. Fickell gave up with 1 minute left and went into the locker room with all three 1st half timeouts. 

O-Line shuffle

The week 2 O-Line was shifted drastically compared to week 1. Week 1 starting Left Tackle Davis Heinzen was not good enough. Actually, he was terrible. He allowed 5 pressures and 2 sacks. 

Here’s how they fixed it:
RT Riley Mahlman to LT
RG Emerson Mandell to RT
Freshman Colin Cubberly to RG

This wasn’t that bad. Riley and Emerson were serviceable, and Colin wasn’t great, but he’s a freshman. Better to have a weak right guard than a weak left tackle. 

The real problem was at the center position. A game-time decision injury held out C Jake Renfro. He was replaced by Kerry Kodanko. Kodanko was garbage. He had 0 push in the …

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Big Ten Spotlight – Week 2 Preview

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Does the B1G have a tier two? Sherrone Moore returns to his alma mater. And a Midwest rivalry has been revived.

What is WOF up to this Weekend? 

All 3 of us at WOF will attend Middle Tennessee at Wisconsin at 3:00 PM CST. Our editor, Hayden, will be on the field marching in the alumni band. Pre-gaming will look like drinking Busch Light while watching the corn schools fight on FOX. After the Badgers win by 40, we’ll catch what we can of the game in Norman. 

Friday night has a handful of forgettable games; your time, and ours, will be better spent watching Mahomes sling it in Brazil.  

  • Odds listed refer to spreads taken from FanDuel at the time of writing

3 Games The B1G Needs to Win

This is a big week for the Big Ten. I’m arguing that this week will have a ripple effect that reaches all the way to Selection Sunday. Does the B1G have a strong tier 2 (behind Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon)? Or is it a top heavy league? This is the week we find out. 

If the Big Ten manages to lose some or all …

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Predicting The Hardest Schedule Ever

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The Badgers’ 2025 Football Schedule is Insane

Wisconsin has:

  • 6 opponents ranked in the AP Top 20
  • 3 more opponents also receiving votes

That only leaves 3 games that shouldn’t be a battle to win. 

Based on SP+ Power Ratings, the Badgers would only be favored in 4 games on their 2025 schedule right now. (The G5s, Maryland, and Washington)

They would be double digit underdogs at Oregon, home vs Ohio State, at Alabama, and at Michigan. 

So, Wisconsin is screwed, right? Pack it in. Try again in 2026. Maybe. 

Or, they are a bit better than the media expects, and they can win more than a few games this season. 

Week 1 – (Thursday)
Vs Miami (OH) 

Miami (OH) is one of the better G5 programs. They have a dual-threat QB in Dequan Finn that Wisconsin was interested in last season. And they have one of the better defenses in the country. There is a reason the O/U is below 40. They held the national title runner-up, Notre Dame, to only 28 points last season. Wisconsin fairs just a bit better. 

Wisconsin 31
Miami (OH) 10

Week 2 
Vs Middle Tennessee State

Middle Tennessee State is NOT one …

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Badger Traditions – The Soul of Wisconsin Football

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If the team is the heart, the fans are the soul. Without fans, what is anyone even playing for? You are a new student at Wisconsin (or you are just a new fan). What traditions do you need to know that keep Wisconsin unique and special?

Jump Around 

This is the classic. Wisconsin has been known for Jump Around at the end of the 3rd quarter for over 25 years. Jump Around by House of Pain plays, and the crowd goes wild. It’s simple, yet effective and very memorable. 

Arch March

The football team is dropped off by buses at Camp Randall Arch 2 hours before kickoff. Fans line the path to the stadium to cheer for the team on their way in.

Build Me Up Buttercup / Party in the USA

There will always be sing-alongs at college football games. And over time, some songs will become more popular, and others will fade. These two sing-alongs have stood the test of time at Wisconsin, and when you realize everyone is singing except you, you’ll understand they can never be taken out of the rotation.

The Wave 2.0

So a lot of fans do the wave at football games. …

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Wisco Wednesday: QB Reset at Wisconsin

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There are some new names and faces in Wisconsin’s QB room. Hopefully this time around they can actually score some points. 

The New Quarterback(s)

The Braedyn Locke era in Madison has finally come to an end. Locke, and every other scholarship QB from last year, have left the program. Luke Fickell was disappointed that Phil Longo’s offense couldn’t function with “average quarterback play.” Well, now there is a new OC, and 4 new QBs in town. So, who did Wisconsin bring in to revamp the room?

Starter – Billy Edwards Jr. – Transfer from Maryland – 5th year Senior

2024 stats: 2,881 yards, 15 pass TDs, 9 INTs, 150 rush yards, 5 rush TDs, 4-6 record
His stats are only over 10 games. He injured his thumb very early in the week 11 matchup vs Iowa and didn’t play in week 12 vs Penn State. 

Essentially, he averaged 280 pass yards, 2 TDs (pass + rush), and 1 INT per game in 2024. He was brought in to be a “high floor” QB who can manage the offense. He is not expected to carry an offense, but is instead there to contribute to a balanced attack.

Backup – Danny
…

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B1G vs Everybody

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Ranking the biggest B1G non-conference games of 2025. 

12. Notre Dame at Purdue – Week 4

Purdue is the worst team in the Big Ten. This is basically a scrimmage for Notre Dame. 

11. Boston College at Michigan State – Week 2

A pair of mediocre teams that have next to zero national intrigue

10. Nebraska vs Cincinnati – Week 1 (Thursday)

New Big 12 vs Old Big 12… at a neutral site in Indianapolis. Eh.

9. Minnesota at Cal – Week 3

Minnesota could be decent, and Cal could be okay. And it’s a “Pac-12 After Daek” game. I’ll tune in.

8. Illinois at Duke – Week 2

Illinois is the most popular sleeper pick in the B1G. They will have to win on the road in week 2 to deserve that level of support

7. Oklahoma State at Oregon – Week 2

This game would be a lot more interesting if OK State wasn’t god awful last year. This is the first game we get to see B1G champ Oregon play against an opponent with a pulse.

6. Utah at UCLA – Week 1

A revival of an OG Pac-12 matchup, that should be competitive, late night, week …

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Wisco Wednesday: The Mighty Ducks

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It’s been 14 years since Wisconsin had a crack at #1 on their home turf. I just wish this was a different Wisconsin team going into the game.

What about Iowa?

We’re not discussing the Iowa game in depth. Everything was bad. But specifically, the O-Line, D-Line, and QB play were really really bad. I’d be shocked if both the OC and the DC were employed next year. 

Moving on…

Game Preview: Oregon

#1 Oregon at Wisconsin 

Where: Camp Randall Stadium

When: Saturday, 11/16 – 6:30 PM (CST)

How to Watch: NBC

Spread: Oregon -14.5

O/U: 52.5

Oregon Ducks’ Record: 10-0

Best Win: 32-31 Over #2 Ohio State

#1 in the Camp at Night:

Since 1973 the #1 team in college football has played at Camp Randall 5 times. Ohio State twice, Michigan twice, and Iowa once. Wisconsin went 2-3 in those games… not too bad. 

My point is, this is not a common occurrence. The last #1 to play at Camp Randall, 2010 Ohio State, lost to an unranked Wisconsin team. JJ Watt had the game sealing sack. 

There are probably a lot of apathetic fans at this point in the season. But they shouldn’t let the scarcity …

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