Can Badgers Break the Curse? Luke Fickell’s Struggle to Beat Ranked Opponents Deepens
Watching the Wisconsin Badgers take on the No. 19 Alabama Crimson Tide felt like déjà vu wrapped in frustration. Another sluggish start, penalties creeping in, and turnovers that just sapped their energy — it was a rough outing from the jump. Trailing 21-0 at the half, the Badgers just couldn’t catch a break as Alabama kept piling on, leaving Wisconsin to chalk up their seventh consecutive defeat to a ranked opponent under Luke Fickell. It’s been a tough stretch for the Badgers, battling to close out those big games, with close calls slipping away and blowouts that sting all the more. The road ahead doesn’t get easier, with a gauntlet of ranked foes awaiting, but maybe, just maybe, this young crew can grow through the grind and snap the losing streak in those crucial moments.
The Wisconsin Badgers had an ugly 38-14 loss to the No. 19 Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, starting slow once again and never recovering in the blowout.
It was a tall task for the Badgers, who were coming in on the road against an opponent that was simply more talented. It didn’t help that Wisconsin dealt with penalties, turnovers, and struggles on third downs, killing their momentum in the first half.
The Badgers trailed 21-0 at halftime, and the damage continued in the second half, as Alabama scored on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. The Crimson Tide ultimately stacked five straight touchdown drives and would’ve had a sixth if not for a drop in the end zone.
Ultimately, they lost 38-14, marking their seventh straight loss to a ranked opponent under head coach Luke Fickell.
It’s games like Saturday’s that have haunted the Badgers over the past three years; they have struggled to win the big game. Last year, it was close losses to Penn State and Oregon at home that proved killer, while Wisconsin suffered blowouts to Alabama and USC on the road.
Now, in their first game against a ranked opponent this season, the Badgers couldn’t buck the trend, falling to 0-7 against ranked opponents in the past three years.
Wisconsin will have quite a few more opportunities to win that big game this year. They still have games against Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon, Indiana, and Illinois, who are all currently ranked. In fact, Ohio State, Oregon, and Illinois are all Top 10 teams at the moment.
Currently, they’re not ready for that level of competition with their youth-laden team. And it’s tough to see the Badgers winning any of those games after Saturday’s blowout. But, the hope is that development can carry on through the course of the season, where Wisconsin can break through in a few of its big games to reach a bowl game this year.
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