The Bucky Report

Can Wisconsin’s defense become the backbone of the Badgers in 2026?

Nick Osen from 247 Sports joins The Bucky Report for a complete Wisconsin Badgers football 2026 defensive preview.

We break down Mike Tressel’s defensive identity, the projected Wisconsin football depth chart, the biggest strengths and concerns at every level of the defense, and the players most likely to emerge as breakout stars. We also discuss the most important defenders on the roster, potential defensive MVP candidates and whether the Badgers have enough talent, depth and playmaking ability to compete in the Big Ten.

Can the Wisconsin defense become the foundation of a winning season in 2026? We take a full look at the defensive line, linebackers, cornerbacks and safeties—and explain what must improve for this unit to take the next step.

Topics include: Wisconsin football, Wisconsin Badgers defense, 2026 depth chart, Mike Tressel, breakout players, defensive strengths and weaknesses, Big Ten football and Wisconsin football season preview.

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Wisconsin football opens the 2026 season with a massive matchup against Notre Dame at Lambeau Field, and we’re kicking off our Know Your Foe series by breaking down everything Badger fans need to know about the Fighting Irish.

Rajeev and Justin are joined by Tyler Wojciak from the Locked On Irish podcast to preview Notre Dame’s roster, key players, biggest strengths, and the questions still surrounding Marcus Freeman’s team. Tyler explains why this Notre Dame roster is absolutely loaded heading into 2026, but also dives into the issues the Irish have had in September in recent years — and whether Wisconsin can take advantage in Week 1.

Can Luke Fickell and the Badgers make a statement in Green Bay? What matchups matter most? And what would have to happen for Wisconsin to pull off the upset?

Subscribe for more Wisconsin Badgers football coverage all offseason long.

THANKS TO OUR SPECIAL GUEST TYLER WOJCIAK

https://www.youtube.com/@UC749D_LgykIE8WLu7W4UQlQ

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On today’s episode of The Bucky Report, Rajeev and Justin break down the biggest Wisconsin Badgers football pressure points heading into the season. With new athletic director Shawn Eichorst now in Madison, Luke Fickell entering a critical prove-it year, Jeff Grimes needing to establish an offensive identity, and Colton Joseph stepping in as QB1, there are plenty of major questions around the program.

We’ll discuss what could relieve the pressure, what could make it explode, and which areas matter most for Wisconsin to take a real step forward in 2026.

Then we shift into our 2026 Wisconsin football schedule confidence ratings, going game by game and giving our current confidence level in the Badgers beating teams like Notre Dame, Iowa, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue, USC, UCLA and more.

Can Wisconsin finally show a clear identity? Is bowl eligibility enough? How much pressure is really on Fickell? And which games on the schedule should Badger fans feel confident about right now?

Subscribe for year-round Wisconsin Badgers football and basketball coverage.

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This week on The Bucky Report, we react to Baboucarr Ann's commitment to Greg Gard and discuss why Wisconsin basketball recruiting is on one of its best runs in years. Then we shift to football for our annual 2026 Hot Takes Show, where we make bold predictions we'll be held accountable for all season—including why Luke Fickell could be the 2026 Big Ten Coach of the Year.

Some of these takes may sound crazy today... but by December, they might not.

Do you agree with our predictions? Drop your hottest Wisconsin Badgers take in the comments!

👍 Like the video if you enjoy Wisconsin Badgers coverage.

🔔 Subscribe so you never miss recruiting updates, football analysis, basketball news, and live shows all season long.

#WisconsinBadgers #WisconsinFootball #LukeFickell #WisconsinBasketball #GregGard #BigTen #CollegeFootball #CollegeBasketball #Badgers #Recruiting #BaboucarrAnn

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Wisconsin football has plenty of skeptics heading into 2026, but there are also some very real reasons for optimism.

In this episode of The Bucky Report, we break down the latest recruiting momentum surrounding Luke Fickell's program, including the recent commitment from Brody Pfannenstiel. We discuss where the 2027 class stands, who could be next to commit, and why recruiting feels different right now in Madison.

Then we dive into our main event: 5 Reasons to Believe. From coaching changes and roster improvements to recruiting wins and increased investment across the program, we examine why 2026 could be the year Wisconsin football starts turning the corner.

Do you agree that 2026 feels different? What is YOUR biggest reason for optimism heading into the season?

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#WisconsinBadgers #WisconsinFootball #LukeFickell #Badgers #CollegeFootball #BigTen #WisconsinRecruiting #OnWisconsin #TheBuckyReport

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Wisconsin football is entering a pivotal season under Luke Fickell, but there are still some massive questions surrounding the future of the program. On today's episode of The Bucky Report, we tackle 10 tough under-the-radar questions that could determine whether Wisconsin is truly turning the corner.

Can Luke Fickell finally establish an identity? Has he become the CEO-type head coach Wisconsin hired him to be? Has the coaching staff learned from past mistakes? Is the program mentally tough enough to handle adversity? And most importantly… is rock bottom officially in the rearview mirror for Wisconsin football?

We also break down the latest Wisconsin recruiting momentum, including new commitments from James Roberson and Jack Tabbert, plus a major addition for Wisconsin basketball with Jack Thelen. We discuss what these commitments mean for the future of the Badgers and whether Luke Fickell has officially locked down the state of Wisconsin.

Plus, we discuss the latest Brendan Sorsby controversy and why his situation has become one of the biggest debates in college football.

Topics include:

Luke Fickell and the future of Wisconsin football

The 10 biggest questions facing the Badgers

Colton Joseph and the quarterback outlook

Wisconsin’s injury issues and changes to strength & conditioning

Wisconsin recruiting and recent commitments

The Brendan Sorsby debate

Wisconsin basketball recruiting with Jack Thelen

Is Wisconsin football finally back?

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Brendan Sorsby placed over 9,000 bets totaling nearly $90,000, including wagers involving his own team… and he’s still allowed to play college football. How did we get here?

On this episode of Rajeev’s Corner, I dive into one of the most shocking NCAA controversies in recent memory. The NCAA ruled Sorsby permanently ineligible after its gambling investigation, but a court injunction has allowed the Texas Tech quarterback to suit up in 2026.

This isn’t just about Brendan Sorsby. It’s about the future of college football, the integrity of the game, and whether any rules still carry consequences in the NIL and transfer portal era.

Has college football crossed a line that it can’t come back from?

Drop your thoughts in the comments: Should Brendan Sorsby be allowed to play, or did the NCAA get this right from the beginning?

#CollegeFootball #NCAA #BrendanSorsby #TexasTechFootball #SportsGambling #NIL #CollegeFootballNews

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Wisconsin Recruiting Surge: Two Big Wins... More Commits Next?

Wisconsin recruiting is on a roll.

On today's show, we break down a massive weekend for the Badgers as Luke Fickell and Greg Gard both land major recruiting victories. We'll dive into what Wisconsin is getting from its newest football commitment, what the latest basketball addition means for the future of the program, and why the momentum may not be slowing down anytime soon.

With Official Visit Weekend finishing up in Madison, several top targets remain on campus and more decisions could be right around the corner. We'll discuss who is visiting, who Wisconsin is trending with, and whether another wave of commitments could be on the horizon.

We'll also talk about what these recruiting wins say about the direction of both programs and why Badger fans have plenty of reasons to be excited heading into the summer.

🔴 Topics Include:

Wisconsin lands a major defensive line commitment

Greg Gard adds one of his top basketball targets

Official Visit Weekend #2 updates

Which recruits could be next to commit?

Recruiting momentum under Luke Fickell

Why Wisconsin's 2027 football class continues to climb

What the latest basketball addition means for the roster

What do you think? Are more commitments coming before the weekend is over? Let us know in the comments!

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#WisconsinBadgers #BadgerFootball #WisconsinRecruiting #LukeFickell #GregGard #CollegeFootballRecruiting #BadgerBasketball #BuckyReport #WisconsinFootball #CollegeBasketballRecruiting #OnWisconsin #Badgers

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Official Visit Weekend 2 is here, and Wisconsin has another huge opportunity to build on the momentum that's been growing throughout the 2027 recruiting cycle.

On this episode of The Bucky Report, we're breaking down every major prospect expected in Madison this weekend, where the Badgers stand with each recruit, and which players could be the next dominoes to fall for Luke Fickell and his staff.

We'll take a closer look at:

🏈 Chuck Alexander

🏈 Steele Harris

🏈 Brody Pfannenstiel

🏈 James Roberson

🏈 Yahzeen Zion

🏈 Alijah Shaw

Who are Wisconsin's top priorities? Which recruit is most likely to commit next? And can the Badgers keep their recent recruiting surge rolling into another successful official visit weekend?

We'll also discuss the current state of the 2027 class, recent commitments, and why Wisconsin appears to be gaining serious traction with some of the nation's top prospects.

Will Weekend 2 produce another commitment for the Badgers? Let us know your predictions in the comments!

#WisconsinBadgers #WisconsinFootball #BadgerRecruiting #LukeFickell #OfficialVisits #CollegeFootballRecruiting #Badgers #WisconsinRecruiting #BigTenFootball #BuckyReport

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Subscribe for Wisconsin football recruiting coverage, official visit breakdowns, commitment predictions, film analysis, roster news, and weekly live discussions covering everything Wisconsin Athletics.

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Official visit season is officially underway, and Wisconsin made a major statement with its first big recruiting weekend of the summer. On today's show, we're breaking down everything we learned from OV Weekend 1 including WHO COMMITTED, which recruits helped themselves the most, which visitors look closest to committing next, and what it all means for the future of the 2027 class. We'll also preview OV Weekend 2 and examine where Luke Fickell and his staff still need to add talent before signing day.

We'll discuss the weekend visits from Mekhi Williams, Royalton Allen, Darin Graham, Nathan Jones, Tavares Powell, and Jai Jones, along with the growing buzz surrounding several of Wisconsin's top recruiting targets. Which visitors left Madison with the Badgers leading? Who could be next to join the class? And which recruit should Badger fans be watching most closely over the coming days and weeks?

We'll also take a deeper look at the current 2027 class featuring names like Jack Sorgi, Kingston Allen, Hunter Mallinger, Reece Mallinger, Cole Reiter, Korz Loken, Keaton Wollan and others, while discussing the biggest remaining needs at wide receiver, cornerback, defensive line, linebacker and beyond. Can Wisconsin finish with one of the program's best recruiting classes of the Luke Fickell era?

Join us live and let us know:

Which OV Weekend 1 visitor are you most confident Wisconsin lands?

Who is the next commitment?

Which position group is the biggest remaining need in the 2027 class?

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