The Wisconsin Badgers have entered a territory that many felt was nowhere close to the likely outcome of the season.
However, Wisconsin is in a tough spot with just one game left standing between the team and a possible bowl game. The Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the better teams in the Big Ten Conference across the last five games, and a team that has already secured a bowl. The Golden Gophers will travel to Madison this week to play against the Badgers in a likely gritty grudge match between the two sides.
Regardless of bowl implications, the Minnesota squad does not plan on letting off of the gas against a bitter rival of the stature of Wisconsin. The rivalry between the two schools dates all the way back to 1890 when the two programs first met on the football field, where the Badgers lost 63-0.
The Badgers are 7-3 in the last ten games against Minnesota with a win over the program last season after already securing bowl eligibility. During the 2024 season, however, there will be plenty of added pressure as coach Luke Fickell must dig out a win and preserve a two-decade long streak.
Wisconsin has not missed a bowl game in nearly 23-years and while coaches ahead of Fickell struggled, none allowed the streak to be broken as it has become a crucial part of the program.
How Could a Loss to the Minnesota Golden Gophers Impact Luke Fickell, Wisconsin Badgers Team?
“Hot-seat” rumors have been swirling around Fickell all season and they did not become any cooler after offensive coordinator Phil Longo was fired mid-season in an uncharacteristic move.
Since the firing, pressure has been placed upon Fickell to correctly right the ship and that can only be done this season by securing a bowl appearance. Admittedly, the Wisconsin Badgers would not be given a good bowl game with the 6-6 record, but would at least have the chance to extended the season and give young players valuable reps on the field.
I’ve been positive all year. But if we finish the year trophy-less and miss a bowl game for the first time in 22+ years. This will be the lowest of the lows. This is a MUST win game.
— Faion Hicks (@Faion_Hicks) November 25, 2024
Without a bowl game, it is going to become very difficult to try and pluck positives away from the 2024 season. The Wisconsin Badgers would have fired a veteran coach, lost seven games, and multiple rivalry games without anything to really show for. Failure to secure a bowl game could also result in an increase in transfers out of the program, which could hurt the outlook for 2025 depending on who leaves.
Another game tacked onto the end of the season regardless of who it is against will be great exposure for Wisconsin, and also a chance to receive an extended period of time to plan on offense. It would also be a great time for the Wisconsin Badgers to experiment with the younger players on the roster in a game setting.
The Wisconsin Badgers could also qualify for an academic bowl if the team were to lose to Minnesota, but it is unclear of whether or not the program would pursue doing so.
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