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Wisconsin football fans react to Badgers' new low point after loss to Northwestern, some on Twitter want Barry Alvarez to save program

Christopher Kuhagen, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
·6 min read
4

Wisconsin Badgers football fans really shouldn't be surprised at this point in the season.

Luke Fickell's team has shown everyone who it is game after game, week after week. It happened again Saturday against the Northwestern Wildcats.

But this might be the most painful to date if that was possible after last week's loss to Indiana on the road. And it's clear the Badgers have hit rock bottom on their 2023 season.

Wisconsin was shredded by Northwestern, 24-10, a showing that Fickell called "embarrassing." Compare that to the previous two years in this matchup when Wisconsin combined to outscore Northwestern 77-14 in two wins. Fans have to be wondering what has happened to the program in Fickell's first season.

Wisconsin fans watch their team get embarrassed by Northwestern in a 24-10 loss on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.
Wisconsin fans watch their team get embarrassed by Northwestern in a 24-10 loss on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium.

The Wildcats were more physical, torched Mike Tressel's defense and, after Wisconsin's opening-drive field goal, the Badgers' mistake-prone offense was mostly non-existent.

The first half was a nightmare for UW's defense as Wisconsin went down 24-3. Northwestern, which averaged just 20.1 points per game, moved the ball with ease and passed that mark early in the second quarter. For context, Northwestern scored just seven points in a loss to Iowa last week and came to Madison on a 14-game road losing streak. But at one point on Saturday, Northwestern converted its first 10 third downs, including on its first and third touchdowns of the game.

The Wildcats entered the game ranked last in the Big Ten in rushing at 98.6 yards. They passed that total early in the second quarter after their first three drives of the game, all of which ended in touchdowns. For total yards, they were second-last in the Big Ten with 292.1 yards per game. They exceeded that total as well with 294 in the first half.

The second half didn't get any better for the Badgers, who didn't score their first touchdown of the game until there were 11 seconds left in the game with many at Camp Randall Stadium already gone. It was so bad that even with Northwestern barely moving the ball in the second half and not scoring, the Badgers still had no chance.

Social media, like it has for much of the season, didn't hold back in their disdain for what they saw from the Badgers, who fell to 5-5.

Wisconsin football fans sound off on Luke Fickell, Athletic Director Chris McIntosh, Badgers offensive coordinator Phil Longo and state of program after loss to David Braun and Northwestern

Will the Badgers even get to a bowl game this season?

Is Barry Alvarez around?

Former Wisconsin Badger Vince Biegel, however, still has faith in the program: 'Trust the process'

Twitter reacts to Badgers trailing 24-3 at halftime vs. Northwestern: Didn't Luke Fickell talk about championships at Wisconsin?

REQUIRED READING: Hunter Wohler says his 'soft' Wisconsin football team has hit rock-bottom after loss to Northwestern, lack of effort from players evident

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin football fans react to Badgers' 'embarrassing' loss