Wisconsin Football Hits Rock Bottom (Again) vs. Northwestern

“This is rock bottom for Wisconsin football.” That was the narrative last season when the Wisconsin Badgers lost to Illinois and could not run the ball against former Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema.

“Okay, this is the rock bottom for the Badgers.” That was the sentiment last week when Wisconsin lost at Indiana for the first time in 20 years.

So, what is a 24-10 loss at home to a Northwestern Wildcats team that fired its head coach in July?

Wisconsin Football Fans Blame Luke Fickell

In his first year as the Wisconsin head coach, Luke Fickell’s team has struggled against competition Badgers fans have grown accustomed to defeating.

We want lance leipold

— Dylan Visgar (@DylanVisga44262) November 11, 2023

Send him back. There should be a lemon law for coaches.

— Jim (@jmacken2013) November 11, 2023

Ask Madden could put together a better game plan than luke fickell

— James WRLD (@Mathe_20) November 11, 2023

The program has collapsed – Fickell has turned out to be a historically horrific hire

— Abe Bresn (@AbeBresn) November 11, 2023

Paul Chryst and Jim Leonhard were infinitely better coaches than Luke Fickell has been so far. #badgers

— GravyMcButtercuts (@GMcButtercuts) November 11, 2023

Wisconsin Football Fans Struggle to Find Positive Takeaways

Just a few weeks ago, Wisconsin football fans found several reasons to be optimistic in a loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes. After back-to-back weeks of dreadful losses, fans do not seem to find any of those same reasons to be hopeful.

Would really like someone to ask McIntosh his thoughts regarding a program that has gotten worse as the season has gone on…

— Jay Schell (@jayschell25) November 11, 2023

Locke > Mordecai

— Carly (@carlyks) November 11, 2023

I've had enough of Mordecai Locke should've and should start every game now #Badgers

— JustinFromNC (@RatedRNupe414) November 11, 2023

I HAVE BEEN BAMBOOZLED BY LUKE FICKELL & TANNER MORDECAI

GIVE ME BRAEDYN LOCKE / NICK EVERS / MABREY MATTAUER / COLE LACRUE

GIVE ME POINTS AGAINST NORTHWESTERN

— Cornelius (@chilborne_) November 11, 2023

I’ve defended them a lot but this is as bad of a @BadgerFootball team as we’ve seen in decades. It’s tough to find bright spots today.

— Matt Henkel (@mhenks05) November 11, 2023

Official statement pic.twitter.com/EiiYatwKdz

— Ryan Matson (@RyanMats23) November 11, 2023

This badger team is abysmal

— Nate (@inatemyself2) November 11, 2023

#Badgers This reminds me of the 1970’s & 1980’s. This season will go down as one of the most miserable Wisconsin teams in decades. pic.twitter.com/I3NKdPDQJK

— Jeff Ostach☮️ (@jeff_ostach) November 11, 2023

It's the reason McIntosh made the move that he did. Unfortunately, the program may be too far behind to catch up, even if this staff manages to figure it out.

Years of thinking 8-4/9-3 in the putrid B1G-West was good enough is what got us to this point. #Badgers https://t.co/ozZkwsVvc6

— All Football Is Good Football (@Barwickipedia) November 11, 2023

Can Luke Fickell Turn Around Wisconsin Badgers Football?

Fickell has been on the job in Madison for less than a year. According to some fans, that is far from long enough to assess his performance as a head coach fully. Even a former Wisconsin Badger and Green Bay Packer expressed the need for patience.

Badger fans you don’t have to say anything. I know….

But trust me when I say this:

Trust. The. Process.

There are bright days ahead for #Wisconsin fans. We knew going into the season there were going to be growing pains. Coach Fickell and his staff are recruiting the right…

— Vince Biegel (@VinceBiegel) November 11, 2023

I’m not worried at all. These are Chryst’s reject players. Give Fickell a couple years to get his guys in. https://t.co/ETeQOwsF9i

— AJ Dillon Hate Account (@RK_itsm) November 11, 2023

Gotta let Fickell get in his recruits 1st.

Most of the players now weren't meant for the scheme Fickell wants on offense or defense. Gotta give him 2 years. 1st year was meant to be a transition year. https://t.co/dkulwo823O

— Nick McCardell (@UKhoops1_BBN) November 11, 2023

Contact/Follow us @Badger_Notes on Twitter, and Subscribe to the BadgerNotes Newsletter here. Like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, opinions, and analysis. You can also follow Kedrick Stumbris on Twitter @KedrickStumbris for more Wisconsin football.

Follow this link and use promo code: BADGERNOTES for 25% off your next True Classic order.

Join the Badger Notes watch party! Stream Wisconsin Badgers games with us here.

*Subscribe to BadgerNotes After Dark on YouTube and wherever you find podcasts. The official Wisconsin Badgers podcast of the Big Banter Sports Network.