The Wisconsin Badgers football team is entering a season that may very well determine the future of head coach Luke Fickell with the program. Earlier this week, it was revealed that he had not been given a contract extension like other fall sport head coaches. This development, as well as the fact that the Badgers have not made a Bowl game under Fickell, would seem to indicate that he is very much on the hot seat.
Prior to Fickell’s arrival, Wisconsin had played in a Bowl game in over 20 consecutive seasons, the longest streak in the country.
Looking ahead to 2026, it is clear that Wisconsin must perform better and return to Bowl status in order for Fickell to retain his job. With that in mind, these three games will prove to be pivotal measuring sticks for this year’s team.
1. Wisconsin Badgers at Penn State
If Fickell wanted to show fans and the university early on that he had turned the team around, an early season matchup on the road against Penn State would do the trick. The Badgers have lost six consecutive games against them, a losing streak which started before Fickell arrived in Madison.
Additionally, Wisconsin has not won on the road against Penn State since 2011, 15 years ago. Their road game there this season will be their first in Big Ten play, so winning it would set a high bar for the rest of the season in many ways. Oddsmakers will sure have PSU favored in this one. Fans tracking projections and expectations often follow trends the same way they monitor things like online casino Ontario odds, looking for signs of momentum shifts.
2. Wisconsin Badgers at Iowa
Over the last decade, Wisconsin and Iowa have been pretty even in terms of their head-to-head matchups. Indeed, the Badgers are 5-5 against them in the last ten years.
Last year, however, Iowa came into Madison and stomped the Badgers 37-0 in one of the most humiliating and embarrassing performances of the Fickell era. Going into Iowa and getting the upper hand there would also be a large indication that Wisconsin’s head coach has turned things around.
3. Wisconsin Badgers vs Minnesota
As always, Wisconsin will play Minnesota during the final week of the season: Rivalry Week. The two teams will, once again, compete for Paul Bunyon’s Axe and bragging rights over their border rivals.
There was a time when the Badgers dominated this rivalry, winning 14 straight games from 2004-2017. However, the Gophers have won five of the last eight meetings between the two teams and each of the last two.
Winning in Minnesota and bringing home the Axe would go a long way in improving Fickell’s standing among Badgers fans.
More Wisconsin Badgers news from Wisconsin Sports Heroics
- Wisconsin’s Greg Gard drops reality check ahead of quad 1 chances
- Badgers hockey alumni open 2026 Winter Olympics with 5-1 win
- Ex-Badgers star gets warm welcome by Celtics after chaotic NBA trade deadline
For More Great Wisconsin Sports Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 and follow us @WiSportsHeroics for more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in Wisconsin sports, click here!
