Badgers Coaching Blunders: More Than Just Injuries?

Injuries significantly hampered the Wisconsin Badgers' 2025 season, contributing to a 4-8 record, but they do not solely explain the team's struggles. Coaching decisions often exacerbated already difficult situations, with miscalculations in talent identification and player utilization proving detrimental.

The offensive line experienced immediate instability, with four players shifting positions after the very first game, indicating a failure to establish a cohesive starting unit. Similarly, the running back rotation lacked rhythm, with significant week-to-week variations in carries for key players before injuries even began to mount.

Even at quarterback, where injuries were most impactful, the offense struggled. A redesign to accommodate backup quarterbacks occurred late, and a two-quarterback rotation mid-game prevented offensive consistency. These coaching errors compounded the challenges posed by injuries and a tough schedule, indicating a need for significant improvement in 2026.