'No reservations' about Luke Fickell's success at Wisconsin

Wisconsin could see a resurgence in 2023 under Luke Fickell. On3’s J.D. PicKell has no reservations about his potential success with the Badgers.

Fickell had a standout stint at Cincinnati, getting the Bearcats to become the first Group of Five team in the College Football Playoff. Now, he has a bevy of riches and a stout recruiting and transfer portal class.

PicKell broke down Fickell’s approach and Wisconsin’s ability this fall on The Hard Count.

“I will say it again: I have no reservations on if it’ll work,” PicKell said. “I think Luke Fickell is one of the best coaches in college football. I think he knows how to win football games and I think he’s put together a great staff. They got a great portal class, got a lot of talent, like Wisconsin at some point in time is going to be a competitor for the Big Ten. Is it this year? That all depends on how quickly it works. How quickly does it come together? Because if it clicks this year, they’re going to compete for the Big 10. 

“Now if it’s a thing where it doesn’t totally all fit right away, and they’re still sort of finding their way around as a year one team with a new quarterback, with a new head coach, like if that’s the way that it works, okay, well, you probably aren’t competing for a Big Ten title.”

Wisconsin landed the No. 10 overall transfer portal class in the 2023 cycle, per the On3 Industry Ranking. A quick roster turnover could certainly get Fickell and the Badgers back to the Big Ten Championship Game.

Another Big Ten favorite like Ohio State better be weary of a team like Wisconsin. That could be one of the better games to watch in the conference this season.

“But I’ll tell you this, they’re gonna be one of those teams now, whenever you play them, you know what they’re capable of,” PicKell said. “You know that depending on which Wisconsin team you get that day, you better bring your A-game and they have Ohio State on their schedule. That’s going to be a game that Ohio State cannot sleepwalk through. 

“I don’t think they will but that’s going to be one that you better make sure you have circled, underlined and starred. So Wisconsin, no reservations about if. I’m just curious as to when and if it’s this year, are going to make some noise.”