Luke Fickell Needs 8 Wins. Can Wisconsin Get There?

Wisconsin enters 2026 with no ambiguity about the stakes. After a 4-8 season, a second straight year without a bowl game and one of the worst scoring offenses in the Power Four, Luke Fickell is back with another revamped plan. Jeff Grimes is trying to install his Reliable Violent Offense (RVO), Eric Mateos takes over the offensive line, and Old Dominion transfer Colton Joseph gives the Badgers a true dual-threat option at quarterback.

In this Wisconsin football preview, we break down whether the rebuilt line and Joseph can finally give the offense an identity, how much improvement is realistic for a roster with plenty of new pieces, and what record Fickell may actually need to keep his job. The schedule offers more breathing room than it has in recent seasons, but seven wins may no longer be enough.

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