Following Friday’s report that eliminated “the worst fears” of Wisconsin Badgers fans, things remain clear as mud in Madison. An uncertain handful of weeks at quarterback is something Luke Fickell navigated as recently as 2023. That led to two of UW’s most embarrassing losses in recent memory against the Indiana Hoosiers and Northwestern Wildcats.

Make no bones about it, the 2025 Wisconsin football team is very different than its recent counterparts. The challenges of the most difficult schedule in the country, however, remain. With limited opportunities for new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes to get his unit’s feet wet, every snap matters. A lingering injury to Billy Edwards Jr. cuts into the already slim margin Wisconsin has this year.

In this episode of Talkin’ Badgers, host Kedrick Stumbris was live on Friday night, recapping the most recent injury update to Edwards, assessing Fickell’s options in the weeks ahead, and predicting how Grimes’ offense could look different with backup Danny O’Neil at the helm.

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In a perhaps not-so-instant reaction show of Talkin’ Badgers due to the news of the evening, we digest the rollercoaster three hours Wisconsin football fans had inside Camp Randall Stadium on Thursday night. Yes, the Wisconsin Badgers walked off of Barry Alvarez Field with a 17-0 victory, but the final score nearly felt like an afterthought.

Jeff Grimes and Jackson Acker returned the Wisconsin offense to its roots with a fullback dive. Sebastian Cheeks, Mason Reiger, and Christian Alliegro tormented the Miami RedHawks’ offensive backfield. Nathanial Vakos did what he failed to do all last year and hit a field goal from between 40 and 49 yards.

Nonetheless, it was yet another apparent significant injury to yet another one-year transfer starting quarterback that dominated the post-game headlines.

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The lengthiest offseason in over two decades has finally reached its conclusion. Wisconsin football opens the season inside Camp Randall Stadium tonight; BadgerNotes columnist Seamus Rohrer joins Talkin' Badgers to preview what he wants to see from every position group in the season-opener.

When the Wisconsin Badgers take to Barry Alvarez Field, they will be faced with the challenge of showcasing a new offense, revitalizing the pass rush, and containing a dynamic runner in Miami Redhawks quarterback Dequan Finn. Even if Wisconsin ends up victorious, can head coach Luke Fickell's team show Badgers fans enough to inspire confidence for the season that is to come?

On our weekly edition of "Seamus Says," Kedrick and Seamus break down the personnel questions they hope to see answered tonight.

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After 270 days, Wisconsin football fans only have to wait 48 more hours for kickoff inside Camp Randall Stadium. Before it all gets underway, the boys of Talkin' Badgers After Dark preview the Badgers' season-opener against the Miami Redhawks and recap the last week of news in Madison.

The first two-deep of the season released on Monday revealed the staff's tremendous belief in Dilin Jones. How high is Jones' ceiling? Will it be limited or bolstered by his potential NFL prospects?

Offensive line coach AJ Blazek has his starting center, Jake Renfro, back after an injury late in fall camp. For an offensive line returning 111 starts, the unit may have more question marks on the depth chart than in past years. The guys debate the quality and quantity of depth pieces on both sides of the trenches in Madison.

Timestamps

0:00 - Intro & Beverage Roundup

3:00 - Graham Mertz's Historic Nod to an NFL Roster

5:00 - Is Dilin Jones the Next Great Wisconsin Football Running back?

13:50 - Badgers OL vs. DL depth–which holds up after 12 games?

27:00 - Previewing the Miami Redhawks

41:00 - UW's Young Linebackers vs. Veteran QB Dequan Finn

45:00 - Confidence and Concerns for Thursday Night

51:00 - Luke Fickell's Attire, the Arch March, and Wrap-up

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The wait is over! Wisconsin football has released its first depth chart of 2025 ahead of Thursday's opener against Miami (OH), and it's full of surprises. From a "kitchen sink" approach on defense to a historical first for the running back room, an initial look at the two-deep reveals a lot about Luke Fickell's plans for 2025.

First, we analyze the significant number of "OR" designations on the defensive front. It might be the key to unlocking the upside of the new talent on the defense. On a team that finished last in FBS in tackles for loss a season ago, the plethora of options is a sight for sore eyes.

Then, does offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes see a budding star in Dilin Jones? With a veteran-laden offensive line, willing blockers throughout the roster, and a historic placement atop the preseason depth chart, the Badgers look prepared to run the dang ball.

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On this episode of Talkin’ Badgers, we're doing a deep dive into the pipeline for former Wisconsin Badgers linebackers in the AFC and NFC North. We're breaking down how former Wisconsin football stars on four NFL teams are performing and what impact they might have on their squads this season.

Join us as we talk about the Pittsburgh Steelers' Badger-made defense: T.J. Watt is now the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league, but he's not the only former Badger terrorizing offenses in Pittsburgh. We'll discuss the immense potential of Nick Herbig and Keeanu Benton, as well as the depth provided by Isaiahh Loudermilk.

Between former undrafted free agents Maema Njongmeta and Joe Huber, unsung Wisconsin alums are quickly making their mark in the league. After Njongmeta's breakout season as a special teamer, a bigger role could be in store. Meanwhile, Huber might be a highly sought-after lineman on the waiver wire.

Finally, a pair of highly-touted and highly-paid linebackers in the NFC North: Andrew Van Ginkel and TJ Edwards. With a couple of win-now contracts for these Badgers, they could be in for deep postseason runs.Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: The Badgers in the AFC & NFC North

1:14 - The Steelers' Badger Defense (T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig, etc.)

7:20 - The Bengals' Badger Presence (Maema Njongmeta, Kendric Pryor)

10:55 - The Minnesota Vikings (Joe Huber, Andrew Van Ginkel)

14:55 - The Chicago Bears' Badger Linebacker (TJ Edwards)

16:45 - Conclusion & Final Thoughts

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With fall camp in the Wisconsin Badgers’ rearview mirror, and Week 1 fewer than seven days away, we’re cracking open the Talkin’ Badgers mailbag to answer the big questions from Wisconsin football fans.

In this episode, host Kedrick Stumbris delves into why offensive line depth is UW’s most significant weakness, answers the meta-question of Wisconsin’s biggest roster question, and analyzes offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes’ past offenses to reveal what is coming this fall in Madison.

Finally, we wrap up the show with the question dividing the Badgers fanbase: was it all really just about the quarterback?

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Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Welcome to the Mailbag!

1:40 - The Team’s Biggest Weakness: Offensive Line Depth

6:15 - Biggest Question Mark: Front Seven Improvement

14:00 - Biggest Surprise of Fall Camp

16:30 - What to Make of Dekel Crowdus

19:45 - Offensive Tempo & Philosophy

24:30 - The "What if We Had a Healthy QB?" Debate

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This fall will be a defining one for Wisconsin football under head coach Luke Fickell, and perhaps one game will define this fall more than any other. BadgerNotes columnist Seamus Rohrer has boldly declared that "a 0-3 start against the Hawkeyes would be another massive indictment on the Fickell era."

In the premiere of our Talkin' Badgers recurring segment, "Seamus Says," Seamus joins host Kedrick Stumbris to discuss his latest column, the game-by-game outlook for the Badgers, and make the case for why a win against Iowa and reclaiming the Heartland Trophy could make or break Fickell's third year in Madison.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Previewing the 2025 Wisconsin Football Season

4:15 - Miami (OH): A Litmus Test for UW's Linebackers

6:25 - Badgers vs. Brand Names: Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, Oregon

10:30 - Seamus Says: "The Most Important Game for Fickell this Fall"

16:15 - The Gauntlet Continues Against Indiana and Illinois

22:20 - Can Wisconsin Reclaim the Axe and Get Bowl Eligible?

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It's the season premiere of Talkin' Badgers After Dark as host Kedrick Stumbris is joined by site publisher Dillon Graff, guest Ryan Eilers, and supermodel Jason Long. The boys crack jokes, wise, and beverages as they do a game-by-game schedule prediction for Wisconsin football in 2025.

The guys discuss the potential for a third consecutive slow start in Madison, Wisconsin's challenging October slate, the final critical four weeks of the season, and the tenuous tenure of Luke Fickell.

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The preseason is officially underway, and so is our scouting of former Wisconsin Badgers in the NFL! In this Badgers in the Bigs episode of Talkin’ Badgers, we're doing a full deep dive into the NFC West and AFC West to see how Wisconsin's guys are faring in the pro ranks. We'll break down who is making a splash, who is on the bubble, and what to expect from them this season.

Here's a look at what we're covering:

NFC West:

Arizona Cardinals: We'll check in on the team's undrafted free agent, Bryson Green, and analyze his preseason snaps and his chances of making the final roster.

Los Angeles Rams: We discuss the incredible longevity of veteran offensive tackle Rob Havenstein as he enters his 11th season, all with the Rams, despite some weird health questions for quarterback Matt Stafford.

San Francisco 49ers: We have a bit of a tragic tale with quarterback Tanner Mordecai, who has had a rough preseason with the team, and a more hopeful one with running back Isaac Guerendo, who is returning to practice after an injury and is poised for a significant role.

AFC West:

Denver Broncos: We'll cover the unfortunate injury to defensive end Matt Henningsen and reflect on his future in football. But the good news is that we have a Badger on the coaching staff with Jim Leonhard, who now has new weapons on a defense that was one of the best in the league last year.

Kansas City Chiefs: We'll dive into the final year of linebacker Leo Chenal's rookie deal and discuss whether there's money left for him on a defense that's invested heavily in its core, with extensions for George Karlaftis and Nick Bolton.

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