Wisconsin Football “Tough, Nasty, and Disciplined” Heading into 2026-27 Campaign

The Wisconsin Badgers enter this season looking to rebound from a 4-8 campaign in 2025. Now entering his fourth full year in Madison, head coach Luke Fickell has compiled a 17-21 record with the Badgers. The former Cincinnati head coach, who posted a 57-18 mark and guided the Bearcats to the College Football Playoff, is still searching for that same level of success in Wisconsin.  

“The last two years for us have not been up to the standard,” Fickell said at Big Ten Football Media Days presented by Discover. “We have to grow as a football program.” 

Fickell was adamant that the Wisconsin staff is looking to put together a team that complements a hard-nosed style of play, following a season in which the Badgers were only able to average 12.8 points per game. 

“We know how to develop and put together a team that can be tough, nasty, disciplined, and win in this league.” 

Although the wins haven’t been at a premium in the last two seasons, the Badgers haven’t shied away from competition. According to Yahoo Sports, they had the No. 1 ranked strength of schedule in 2025, facing the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, Oregon and the national champion Indiana Hoosiers. 

Looking for stability under center, the Badgers turned to the transfer portal and landed former Old Dominion quarterback  Colton Joseph . Joseph threw for 2,624 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2025, but his greatest strength comes as a dual-threat playmaker. The senior rushed for 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns, giving Wisconsin an added dimension offensively. 

Joseph also has experience against Big Ten competition. In a matchup against eventually undefeated Indiana last season, he rushed for 179 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing the athleticism that made him one of the portal's most intriguing quarterbacks. Now, he'll have the opportunity to lead a Big Ten program himself as Wisconsin looks to return to contention. 

The Badgers also went to the portal to pick up some help in the backfield. Senior Iowa State transfer running back  Abu Sama III  will look to bolster the Badgers' backfield. Sama rushed for 732 yards and five touchdowns a year ago and has totaled 1,933 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns in his career.  

Sama will be running behind an improved offensive line which Fickell is excited to see come together as fall camp begins. 

“It's a different group,” Fickell said. “There's a different vibe, and I'm excited to get started here in eight days to see what it looks like.” 

Defensively, Wisconsin could be led by graduate student linebacker  Sebastian Cheeks , who emerged as a playmaker on the Badgers’ defense in 2025. Cheeks recorded 17 solo tackles and three sacks, two of which came in games against Oregon and Washington, showcasing his ability to produce against some of the nation's top competitors. As he enters this season, Cheeks is expected to take on a larger role, and Fickell believes the talented linebacker is ready to embrace the challenge.  

“Sebastian has grown incredibly…We’re looking for a big year out of [Cheeks],” Fickell said. “He’s a guy that has to create havoc for us defensively.” 

Senior safety  Matthew Jung  compared the Badgers’ 2026-27 season to what the 1998-99 Wisconsin team had to go through when they were overlooked and ended up winning the Rose Bowl, defeating UCLA 38-31 to put the program back on the map.  

“They said they were coming off a down year, and they refused to let that happen again. I think that's very similar to the point we are at now,” Jung said. “The new guys didn't come to Wisconsin not to win games. They came here to bring back the winning culture in Wisconsin.” 

After back-to-back disappointing seasons by Wisconsin standards, the Badgers enter 2026 with a renewed sense of urgency. The additions of Joseph and other transfer portal pieces, combined with the experience of players like Cheeks and Jung, provide reasons for optimism. With Fickell entering his fourth full season and expectations high, Wisconsin will need those improvements to translate into wins to reestablish itself as a contender in the Big Ten.  

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