Well, Iowa City happened.
In what some have called the most disappointing loss of the Luke Fickell era, the Wisconsin Badgers were bludgeoned by an Iowa Hawkeyes team that simply wanted it more on the way to a humiliating 30-point drubbing, robbing all the goodwill Wisconsin had banked the week before by beating then-No. 16 USC 24-7.
So, what is this Wisconsin team? Are they good? Bad? Mediocre? Maddeningly inconsistent? I’d say yes to all, and do so not even knowing who will start at quarterback against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights this weekend.
I mean, Wisconsin should win. But they should have stayed within 30 points of Iowa, too. I simply don’t know when the next malodorous egg gets laid by this up-and-down squad.
With all those positives out of the way, let’s turn to my Best Case, Worst Case, and Most Likely Scenarios for Badgers/Scarlet Knights.
The cynic in me says this would be Wisconsin not getting embarrassed, but I’m going to aim a bit higher here.
I see a world where the Badgers come in angry and wounded after getting ridiculously pantsed at Iowa and really take it to Rutgers.
While I don’t think this offense is capable of putting up big numbers, we finally see some chunk plays, keyed by whoever starts at quarterback (my money is on the freshman), while the defense creates a few turnovers and generally has their way with an offense missing its best player, stud wide receiver KJ Duff.
Prediction: Wisconsin 30-10.
Worst Case
I feel the need for a disclaimer here: I don’t think this will happen. But it’s a worst-case thing, so here we are.
In this ghastly series of events, an Iowa hangover coupled with uncertainty at quarterback (and along the offensive line with Kevin Heywood out) combine to make what should be an easy win a dicey slog.
Rutgers, playing loose and with nothing to lose, come in a bit like Maryland did in 2025 and punch the Badgers in the mouth all day. Just two weeks from being ranked, the talk will all turn to Luke Fickell’s suddenly scalding hot seat.
Prediction: Rutgers 23-16.
Most Likely
While I briefly toyed with an upset here, I remembered we have Mason Posa and Cooper Catalano. Tough-guy warriors like that duo are likely at the forefront of team talk this week, and I suspect the message gets across.
It isn’t pretty in the least, but the Badgers simply find a way to get it done and come out with a stressful but important victory over the overmatched Scarlet Knights, led by a big turnover and Abu Sama’s best game as a Badger. Bowl eligibility is here after a two-year hiatus.
Prediction: Wisconsin 23-16.
Source: www.buckys5thquarter.com
