Transfer Tango: Badgers’ Early Winners and Whiffs
When the NCAA trimmed the transfer portal to a two-week window, Wisconsin leapt into controlled chaos. Coach Luke Fickell hauled in 24 newcomers in week one, boosting his roster but rocking the boat for returning contributors. The big winners include Fickell himself, whose new hires sparked optimism; slot receiver Tyrell Henry, who now claims top dog status; and guard Colin Cubberly, poised to fill a starting vacancy. On the flip side, running back Darrion Dupree finds himself buried by star transfers, young cornerbacks see their roles shrink, and defensive tackle Dillan Johnson slides down the depth chart amid new portal reinforcements.
If college football transfers were Tinder profiles, Wisconsin just swiped right on everyone—but somehow ended up ghosted by its own roster. Luke Fickell is authoring his own Cinderella story, while Dupree might want to audition for a reboot of “Finding Neverland” because he’s lost at sea in this portal deluge. Meanwhile, cubberly’s Cinderella moment arrives just as the ballroom door slams shut on Johnson. It’s less “musical chairs” and more “massive game of bumper cars” at Camp Badger.
Badger Bloopers: Five Portal Targets That Got Away
Despite landing 20-plus transfer signings, Wisconsin missed out on several high-profile targets. Edge rusher Adam Trick opted for Texas Tech over Madison. Utah State receiver Braden Pegan chose local favorite Utah instead of joining Colton Joseph’s crew. Tight end Dorian Thomas settled on Cal despite Wisconsin’s hometown pitch. North Texas pass rusher Ethan Day also headed to Utah. Finally, UAB wideout Iverson Hooks remains uncommitted but drifted from Fickell’s grasp after his visit. Each one visited Madison but ultimately slipped through Wisconsin’s fingers, leaving the Badgers to reload elsewhere.
Apparently, Madison isn’t trending on the transfer-hotspot charts, because every portal VIP took one look and said, “Pass.” It feels like Wisconsin threw a backyard BBQ and these five prospects RSVP’d, then ghosted the party for bigger-ticket gala events. Meanwhile, Luke Fickell is left drafting résumés and sliding into DMs begging, “Seriously, you sure you don’t want cheese curds with that?” Spoiler: They were already on the plane to Salt Lake City.
Borrowing Blueprints: Badgers’ Upset Plan vs. No.2 Michigan
Wisconsin travels to Ann Arbor to face 14-0 Michigan, armed with a game plan inspired by Penn State’s near-upset. The preview breaks down probable starting lineups—guards Nick Boyd and John Blackwell, forward Nolan Winter versus Michigan’s dynamic frontcourt led by Aday Mara and Yaxel Lendeborg—and series history favoring the Wolverines. Coach Greg Gard eyes relentless defense and pick-and-pop opportunities to hang around. Michigan’s tempo, depth, and shooting prowess make it a daunting test; prediction: Michigan by 26.
Nothing says “David vs. Goliath” like chanting “On Wisconsin” in the belly of the beast. Meanwhile, Greg Gard is rummaging through Penn State’s trash for scraps of X’s and O’s, hoping to cobble together a blueprint that held Michigan to a sweat. It’s like sneaking into a Heist movie rehearsal hoping the star forgets his lines. Spoiler alert: The Wolverines have a GPS to victory, and Wisconsin brought a paper map from the dinosaur era.
Gridiron Alumni: Wild Card Wisconsin Watch Party
Eleven straight seasons with a Badger hoisting the Lombardi Trophy sets the stage for Wild Card Weekend. Five of six games feature former Wisconsin standouts: Panthers linebacker Maema Njongmeta on Fox; Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards on Prime Video; Bills’ Cole Van Lanen and David Edwards on CBS; Eagles linebacker Zack Baun on Fox; and the Texans vs. Steelers marquee with Dare Ogunbowale, Keeanu Benton, Nick Herbig and T.J. Watt on ESPN/ABC. Channel, time, and matchup details guide fans through the gridiron alumni showcase.
Who needs Netflix when you’ve got Wisconsin alums parachuting into six different games across four networks? It’s like a football-themed scavenger hunt, but instead of clues you get awkward close-ups of former Badgers sideline high-fiving random specialists. Prepare your remote for more channel-surfing than a caffeine-addled toddler. By Monday, you’ll know every third-string tackle’s middle name—and still not have time for dinner.
Pro Bowl to Pro-No: Badgers’ 2025 All-Pro Snub
Despite three Pro Bowl nods this season, no former Wisconsin player cracked the AP’s All-Pro first or second teams for 2025. Jonathan Taylor, T.J. Watt and Zack Baun—each stellar in their own right—received zero or minimal votes. Kick returner Chimere Dike, who briefly wore the Badger red before transferring, was the lone exception on special teams. Even fullback Alec Ingold barely garnered attention. Meanwhile, Quinn Meinerz made first-team All-Pro duty for Wisconsin-Whitewater. The AP voters’ oversight leaves Badger Nation fuming.
AP voters must have been distracted by puppy videos when the ballots dropped. It’s one thing to miss T.J. Watt—perennial sack machine and human trash talk magnet—but leaving Jonathan Taylor off is the football equivalent of forgetting to add salt to your fries. Wisconsin fans suspect a referee conspiracy, yet the only flags flying are the white ones of surrender. Next season, they’ll just send voters a direct-to-your-door miniature cheesehead as a helpful reminder.
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