Would MM stay? If Smith enrolls early, does he have a chance? Does he bring in a dual threat? Who would run his offense?

It feels like it is. I think the best days are behind us.

UW had a great run with an identify of tough defense and elite running backs and the great fortune of a host of Wisconsin native players who were NFL caliber. Situated in the Big Ten West, UW was the class of the division and could rack up 9-10 win seasons.

Now it seems like the program has no identity. Haven’t had a good season in 5 years. The new Big Ten makes the UW schedules much harder, plus the non conference games against Bama. Trying to keep up in an NIL world while the money is going to a practice facility just to stay on par.

LF will probably be changing the OC and that will bring massive changes in the portal with new QBs and new schemes. The merry go round spins on. You end up just like all the mid tier teams in the power leagues. Just stuck in mediocrity with no way out.

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Maybe the most important position in the 2026 class?

Bat signal is out.

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Quarterbacks: Landyn Locke and Carter Smith
Wide receiver: Eugene Hilton Jr.
Tight end: Emmett Bork
Offensive linemen: Michael Roeske, Nolan Davenport and Hardy Watts
Defensive linemen: Torin Pettaway and Xavier Ukponu
Linebackers: Cooper Catalano and Nicolas Clayton
Safeties: Remington Moss and Jai'mier Scott, Grant Dean, Luke Emmerich
Cornerback: Cairo Skanes

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I'm trying out a new feature this year where I talk to a different Wisconsin beat writer every month to get their takeaways on the hot topics surrounding the program.

I spoke with the State Journal's Michael McCleary last week about what has surprised him over Wisconsin's first 11 games (we talked before Butler), what concerns him, and if the Badgers will be better than his preseason prediction of 10th place in the league.

Wisconsin's Nolan Winter continued his offensive ascension and Steven Crowl found his missing gear, forming a low-post duo that Butler couldn't stop in an 83-74 UW victory in Indianapolis. https://wisconsin.rivals.com/news/takeaways-from-no-20-wisconsin-s-83-74-win-over-butler

In order of importance, I'm going with QB, DL, DB, DL, WR, QB, DL, and DL.