'Behind Enemy Traces' Q&A with Badgers Wire

[ad_1] After beginning the season 6-0, Ohio State now hits the street once more to move into the venerable Camp Randall Stadium to do battle with Massive Ten foe, Wisconsin, on Saturday. In contrast to most years, this go to to Madison does not appear to be the daunting job it has been in years previous as a result of the Badgers are reeling, having misplaced 4 in a row and coping with accidents -- particularly on the quarterback place.

One factor we love to do right here at Buckeyes Wire is get a perspective from the other sideline after we can with considered one of our affiliated websites, and it simply so occurs that Ben Kenney of Badgers Wire was joyful to oblige this time round. We fired off just a few inquiries to get the followers' and media's tackle how issues are being seen up within the land of bratwurst and beer, and it is secure to say that this yr, issues are a little bit extra subdued.

Nonetheless, we thank Kinney for taking his time, and what follows is a brief question-and-answer session he was sort sufficient to reply to. This is how issues are trying within the reverse locker room as Ohio State and Wisconsin set to tussle this weekend.

On the Wisconsin fanbase, in the case of Luke Fickell <img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:441px" fetchpriority="high" data-g-r="lazy" src="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/13/NCOD/86679458007-usatsi-27302195.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" srcset="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/13/NCOD/86679458007-usatsi-27302195.jpg?width=1320&height=882&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Oct 11, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell leads his team out of the tunnel at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ross Harried-Imagn Images"/> QUESTION from Buckeyes Wire: Let's discuss concerning the elephant within the room. This season has gone off the rails, and it felt like a yr the place Luke Fickell wanted to indicate some momentum. The place is the fanbase with Fickell? What is going to it take for the previous Ohio State defensive sort out to remain in Madison, or is it only a matter of time proper now?

Want a information break? Try the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, video games and extra! Ben Kenney of Badgers Wire: "To be sincere, the fanbase is all however finished with the Fickell tenure. There weren’t expectations of a breakthrough coming into the yr, given the staff’s gauntlet schedule. However all people no less than anticipated some tangible progress. As an alternative, the staff has misplaced each recreation it has performed towards Energy 4 competitors by no less than two scores, together with latest 27-10 and 37-0 house losses to Maryland and Iowa, respectively. The overwhelming sentiment is {that a} change is imminent; it’s only a matter of when, for a way a lot cash, and whether or not the athletic director follows. Fickell would wish a close to miracle to maintain his job."

Wisconsin followers' emotions concerning the matchup with Ohio State <img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:440px" fetchpriority="high" data-g-r="lazy" src="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/14/SHSS/86693199007-usatsi-27300269.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" srcset="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/14/SHSS/86693199007-usatsi-27300269.jpg?width=1320&height=880&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day watches during the second half of the NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini."/> QUESTION from Buckeyes Wire: The place is the Wisconsin fanbase with this recreation? Is there an pleasure of turning the season round, apathy about what may happen, or extra?

Kenney: "The fanbase’s collective requires a training change sign that it's removed from apathetic concerning the staff and the remainder of the season. Nevertheless, I doubt any Wisconsin fan enters Saturday anticipating the staff to maintain the sport aggressive. Final week’s loss to Iowa all however sealed the season’s destiny. Once more, it simply looks like a matter of time earlier than this system makes a transfer."

What Badger followers consider Ohio State as a program proper now <img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:440px" fetchpriority="high" data-g-r="lazy" src="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/05/SOSU/86531968007-usatsi-27249840.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" srcset="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/05/SOSU/86531968007-usatsi-27249840.jpg?width=1320&height=880&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Fans celebrate a touchdown by Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) during the first half of the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Oct. 4, 2025."/> QUESTION from Buckeyes Wire: How do Wisconsin followers and media view Ohio State as a program, and this staff as a complete? From the Ohio State aspect, there was a mutual respect that teetered on a little bit hatred when each groups had been vying for Massive Ten titles, however the place is it now for Badger followers?

Kenney: "Simply 5 quick years in the past, Wisconsin followers anticipated this system to take a leap ahead to compete with the Buckeyes for the Massive Ten. This system is clearly the convention’s commonplace for successful. After shut calls within the 2017 and 2019 convention title video games, the Badgers weren’t removed from no less than flipping one outcome each few years. Now, Ohio State seems to be enjoying a wholly totally different sport than Wisconsin. NIL funding clearly performs an element in that. In my view, Wisconsin has to fret about returning to Minnesota and Iowa’s stage earlier than it thinks about Ohio State."

How Wisconsin might doubtlessly pull off the upset of Ohio State <img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:464px" fetchpriority="high" data-g-r="lazy" src="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/11/SOSU/86648740007-usatsi-27299175-copy.jpg?width=660&height=464&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" srcset="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/11/SOSU/86648740007-usatsi-27299175-copy.jpg?width=1320&height=928&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Oct 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Phillip Bell (7) and Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Brandon Inniss (1) react during the second quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images"/> QUESTION from Buckeyes Wire: What does this recreation need to seem like for Wisconsin to tug off the foremost shocker?

Kenney: "Wisconsin wants to begin the sport by returning the opening kickoff for a landing, play flawless protection, and pray its offense doesn’t hand the sport away, which it has finished a number of occasions this season. As could also be clear by means of my tone, I’m struggling to see a approach the Badgers can hold the sport shut."

Probably the most regarding factor about Ohio State for Wisconsin followers <img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:493px" fetchpriority="high" data-g-r="lazy" src="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/11/SOSU/86648731007-usatsi-27299102.jpg?width=660&height=493&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" srcset="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2025/10/11/SOSU/86648731007-usatsi-27299102.jpg?width=1320&height=986&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Oct 11, 2025; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day talks with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) during the second quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images"/> QUESTION from Buckeyes Wire: What participant or side of Ohio State considerations Wisconsin followers essentially the most?

Kenney: "The plain reply is expertise. However particularly, Wisconsin’s secondary has struggled mightily all year long, permitting huge performances from Alabama QB Ty Simpson and Maryland QB Malik Washington, amongst others. Jeremiah Smith shouldn't have any hassle making a huge impact."

A prediction for Ohio State vs. Wisconsin? <img class="gnt_em_img_i" style="height:440px" fetchpriority="high" data-g-r="lazy" src="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/images/smg/2024/10/22/SMGW/75787942007-17-80258.jpeg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp" srcset="https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/gcdn/authoring/images/smg/2024/10/22/SMGW/75787942007-17-80258.jpeg?width=1320&height=880&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp 2x" decoding="async" alt="Oct 28, 2023; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell looks on during the second quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports"/> QUESTION from Buckeyes Wire: Lastly, in case you are snug, give us a prediction and rating for the sport Saturday.

Kenney: Ohio State 45, Wisconsin 7

We thank Kenney for his time, and should you occur to know a fan of all issues Wisconsin Badgers, inform them to move on over to Badgers Wire and benefit from the distinctive protection they've occurring over there.

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