Are Wisconsin Badgers Stuck in a 6-6 Season Cycle? Thoughts on beating USC and NIL!

Are Wisconsin Badgers Stuck in a 6-6 Season Cycle? Thoughts on beating USC and NIL!
Can the Wisconsin Badgers overcome their quarterback challenges and recruiting hurdles to reclaim their spot at the top of college football? As the Badgers face a tough schedule and struggle with a lack of elite athletes, their future in the Big Ten hangs in the balance.
This episode explores the Wisconsin Badgers' current struggles, including their reliance on transfer portal quarterbacks and the implications of NIL deals on player opt-outs. The hosts preview the upcoming USC vs. Wisconsin game, analyzing potential strategies like "bully ball" and the threats posed by USC's offense. The discussion also covers Wisconsin's recruiting challenges and the need to adapt to the evolving NIL landscape to compete effectively.
Tune in for an engaging analysis of the Wisconsin Badgers' path forward and the broader impact on college football dynamics.
Wisconsin Badgers, USC Trojans, college football, Luke Fickell, Tanner Mordecai, Tyler Van Dyke, Phil Longo, Braelon Allen, Caleb Williams, Miller Moss, Zachariah Branch, Bear Alexander, NIL opt-outs, Big Ten, Pac-12, quarterback competition, offensive line, defensive struggles, time of possession, recruiting challenges, Wisconsin vs USC, Coliseum, Badgers defense, Trojans offense, Brian Smith analysis, college football predictions
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[@michaelb3488]

Our weekly reality check with Brian Smith. LET'S GO!!

[@hx1234]

At least we aren't Florida State.

[@cur244]

At least they've won national titles though. I doubt WI ever even gets to the title game.

[@justinrenaud4818]

@@cur244still would rather be Wisconsin right now by a landslide

[@rebelwithin4527]

They get athletes every year and choke. More athletes isn’t always the answer

[@scott336]

Thanks Brian. I always appreciate your perspective.

[@donniehaeseify]

We need Big Cat to pay for a QB

[@Bucky63]

Always like Brian ; he keeps it real. Always gives an honest assessment regardless of how anyone feels. Facts trump feelings!

[@bodragon4582]

Ryan "Theres talk of VD coming back" Brian Smith "OH God, Oh God, you want that for year 3 ? " Me "Amen Brian, Amen"

[@LockedOnBadgers]

he's awesome, I almost started laughing when he said that

[@Muppy_Braun]

You got a perfect thumbnail if you pause when you tell Brian about Locke’s size and Mobility. Perfect reaction!

[@johndimond2491]

The Guy is a broken record and very arrogant

[@Cpurdes]

He’s been right almost every time🙈

[@henryhofman7766]

The truth hurts. Other experienced guys in College Football say the same thing, this version of Wisconsin is not that talented and not fast enough. Wisconsin used to be great in the trenches on both sides the ball, had awesome running backs and tremendous linebackers, they don’t anymore except for maybe the freshman running backs

[@forwork2601]

Coming from a die hard USC, Wisconsin has nothing to worry about. We play even worse against teams with no QBs, Badgers in a blowout win. Fight on

[@timothydesanto5822]

Brother😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@SD_Trojan_7]

Yes, I'm sure you're a "die hard USC fan". 🙄

[@RealestRealist14]

Final prediction: 41-13 USC

[@PuLseFPS]

I agree unfortunately

[@MrKingoftroy]

Game will be closer than that

[@justinrenaud4818]

That’s pretty wild lol. USC ain’t Alabama. Would genuinely be shocked if Wisconsin didn’t at least cover the spread. But hey, if your expectations are that low, ig it’ll be pretty easy for them to meet or exceed them!

[@robdavis3967]

Horrible take by Ryan and a lot of the national media, UM didn't bully USC's defense, Hell USC held the UM offense to 13 yards of total offense in the 2nd half till the last drive by UM.

[@evanmalone7172]

How’s Florida State looking this year?

[@kylegross1081]

Would you rather root for Florida State or Wisconsin on a yearly basis? Thought so

[@evanmalone7172]

@@kylegross1081 Wisconsin all day! On Wisconsin!! I am currently at the airport on my way to LA for the game tomorrow.

[@David_USC]

UW will be fine. 50/50 game on Saturday.

[@kylegross1081]

lol!

[@bthome123]

6-6? They wish. I see them winning 2 more games (Purdue and Northwestern). 4-8 will put them in a death spiral. Any talent leaves in December. Recruits de-commit.

[@cur244]

They should have a decent chance vs MN. But yeah 6-6 seems lofty at this point.

[@kylegross1081]

They never win at Northwestern. Do put them at 3-9 then

[@justinrenaud4818]

2-1 is literally the record everyone thought we’d be at this point, yet the fan base is jumping off a cliff. Why even watch if you’re going to be that pessimistic about it? And don’t say “I’m being realistic” because we just don’t know and don’t have the sample size to say this is how it’ll be. It could go either way, could see us being terrible and could also see us getting better because I do trust Fickell as a proven head coach.

[@karnage935]

I got 2 and 10 I think Purdue could do it were like a mid level fcs program.

[@cur244]

@@karnage935 Purdue is like a low level fcs program.

[@DavidBrielmaier]

3 win team this season.

[@adamotto8513]

Let's go!

[@robdavis3967]

Accurate assessment of Orji throwing the ball, "He can hit the guy in the flat or kill the cheerleader on the sideline by accident." LOL!

[@SD_Trojan_7]

Listening in as a USC fan. Good analysis, but....."that stupid horse running around". Why is Traveler catching strays?

[@HLFybLeon]

Someone has no idea what they are talking about? Michigan bullied SC? lol, ok. That 2nd half drive stat looked like, 3 and out, 3 and out, 3 and out, fumble, 3 and out before the long run.

[@tm3389]

"people don't like it but I tell the truth, I say the way it is". Two minutes later - "kid is an idiot but I can't say it". Which one is it? Fake tough guy

[@DownstreamV]

Like Brians take on NIL. So tired of society's Me mentality.

[@LatestFlameLFR]

Also…Brian says coaches won’t get 4-5 years to build a team due to the portal and then in basically the next breath he diminishes the value of the portal by saying “guys are in there for a reason”’implying bad attitudes or average players. You CAN’T have it both ways.

[@MoonC64]

Wisconsin had a good run for about 30 years, but its over. Big Ten is too big and Wisconsin can't compete. Not a prayer at winning the conference any time soon and they will be lucky to have a winning record. No talent, bad facilities, unattractive campus, etc. This is not currently a good team and its not going to get better in the foreseeable future.

[@dawsonprielipp4405]

I’m not saying Brian is completely dead wrong about his takes but he certainly has a lot of “matter of fact” opinions about our team without being able to name any of our players

[@gtmueller710]

90% of transfers are transfers for a reason !! Big heads, small school thinking NFL, coaching changes, etc

[@adryellehastings4675]

Qb is the one position you can depend on the Portal for..These kids are transferring after one yr on the sidelines wether they are ready to play or not...The most your gonna need the transfer for is two yrs....lol..

[@nicklamz]

At least Brian is recognizing Pauling as being legit now.

[@rebelwithin4527]

Longo is on his 3rd handpicked QB. Glad UW traded in its hard earned identity and brought in the Dairy Raid to be middle of the pack!

[@rebelwithin4527]

TVD will be gone. After Saturday, Longo will be one step closer to being canned.

[@henryhofman7766]

Need to design our offense like Meeeeeecccchhhiiiiigggggaaaaaannnnn

[@rebelwithin4527]

Air Raid is a failure. Fuck Michigan but at least they know what they are good at.

[@henryhofman7766]

@@rebelwithin4527MI went back to their roots and are back, WI needs to get back to their roots (similar to current MI Football offense) to start winning again. If they add some bigtime receivers and a legit QB that will put the Badgers back into contention like they were in the 10’s

[@rebelwithin4527]

Agreed. They needed to tweak/refresh offense. Not scrap it for a crappy Air Raid. People forget Bitch Rod setting Michigan back a decade I guess.

[@justinrenaud4818]

Appreciate Brian’s thoughts. Respectfully disagree that TVD is some terrible qb (probably an average to slightly above average FBS qb), he was playing far better than Locke can hope to play imo which sucks for our outlook. Overall, still very optimistic with this team if they choose to start playing the young (and clearly more talented) players on this roster.

[@justinrenaud4818]

I do love that he brought up the receivers because I also don’t think it’s talked about enough how poorly they’ve played dating back to last year. Pauling has the highest upside and most consistent production but even he struggles with drops and being locked in 100% of the time.

[@sunshinedesign]

Badgers will be less than 500

[@Jleed989]

Brian is so right. The new reality is having teams from Los Angeles in the big ten. They have a big recruiting edge right there.

[@cur244]

Just like OSU has had in the big ten forever. Just far more talent close and money.

[@LatestFlameLFR]

Brian is far too pessimistic. You don’t need pro WR’s to compete and get to the playoffs. I want UW to recruit them and land some but look at LSU. Pro receivers annually but it’s been a while since they challenged for a natty. Fickell needs time to get his guys and portal guys don’t count imo. Build off recruiting. Look at Mario Cristobal. That is the trajectory I think Fickell is on. Mabrey will be ready to start next year if needed. And will be very successful. Year 3 will be Wisconsin rising.

[@DavidBrielmaier]

You need talent at the WR position to run Longo's system. They do not have it. Doesnt matter who the QB is, if the WR cant get separation the offense fails. The problem with "not portal guys" is they are all portal guys now. Fickell current freshman talent is playing well for their role, however they can leave in December and January for free if this season ends up being a bust (Which in all reality it is). Coaches do not get 3-4 years to build anymore, they can't have 2-4 win seasons (most likely outcome for Bucky this season) regardless if its year 1, 2 etc, they will lose all momentum because the guys can get paid, play and have success somewhere else.

[@LatestFlameLFR]

@@DavidBrielmaier Cristobal is in year 3. Who says coaches don’t get 4 years to rebuild? Portal hasn’t been around long enough to say that definitively and I think it would be monumentally stupid for Wisconsin to give up on the staff after 2 seasons in a total rebuild.

[@sharpe52312]

You’re confusing a necessary condition with a sufficient condition. Just because teams with nfl caliber skill players don’t always compete for championships, that doesn’t mean that nfl players aren’t a prerequisite.

[@jmfbizzle]

Love Brian

[@lloydcady7231]

Bear Alexander only played 21 snaps against Michigan. That’s why he’s redshirt wins 35 to 40 snaps and probably going to the transfer portal

[@DavidBrielmaier]

He is 21 turning 22 in November on his 2nd college and about to portal. As a 5 star recruited by Kirby Smart on defense he should be heading to the pros at 22. Instead he is going back to college for a third team. Talent is one level, however work ethic and talent together are entirely different level. He needs to do the work during the week. Its on him that he is only getting 21 snaps as a 5 star on a defense trying to prove their toughness in a new conference.

[@Jleed989]

@@DavidBrielmaierthe worst thing that ever happened to him was getting that 5 star rating. Everybody’s a 1 star when entering college then you earn the rest.

[@gtmueller710]

Every Badger fan should listen to Brian Smith !!!

[@bkmason57]

Come on, man. Wisc can EASILY beat this godawful USC team. SC's D is STILL ranked below Wisconsin's, and if this isn't a letdown trap week...USC is a 15.5 point fave. God help USC they could easily stumble. I've missed calling 2 games since LR got here - the Holiday Bowl and LSU. USC is in trouble. PSU, ND, Neb, Wisc -- the toughest games are ahead.

[@David_USC]

You’re right, Wisconsin by 2 TDS.

[@kylegross1081]

Awful take

[@dubzillas]

Bold take

[@SD_Trojan_7]

I think it will likely be closer than 15.5. Any team "could easily stumble". We've seen it with ND, Oregon struggling against Boise St, etc. UW lost against a good Bama team that would crush anyone. It'll come down to SC's O-line and if they can protect. The D is improved but not elite. But Wisconsin's offense is not elite either.

[@SD_Trojan_7]

@@David_USC Just go ahead and delete the _USC part from your handle. Thanks.

[@godkongsnake4092]

I wish we were stuck in a 6-6 cycle. We'll be lucky to win 6 games in the next 10 years.

[@rshowers7590]

Someone told you that you were wildly optimistic about WI. They aren’t good, the coaching staff isn’t stellar, the have no depth and they aren’t an attractive destination even in their own conference.

[@lelandbuss6939]

This show is terrible! I don't think I'll be back, unless or until you start being more positive about the Badgers. Why don't you just go and follow another team, if you think they're so bad. Smith is nothing more than a football elitist, don't need to ever hear from him again!

[@quinthomas5805]

Sounds like You don’t want to hear the truth about your team lol

[@oldriversfarm1609]

Who wants to tell him haha

[@RobertSorenson4991]

Ryan brings in all types of people. If you don't want to watch Brian Smith episodes fine. However don't discredit what has been built for one show.

[@Birddogger]

If your looking for sunshine and puppy dogs it’s sure not the current Badgers. The truth hurts. Maybe you should follow Bama, or Georgia until we straighten this out. Brian Smith is a straight shooter, as long as he’s been on here.

[@lelandbuss6939]

I’m certainly not going to listen to anything Brian Smith has to say, that’s for sure. Would anyone like to be told that something they hold dear to their heart is worthless?