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Wisconsin Badgers Seek Convincing Season Opener Against Miami (OH)
25 Aug
Summary
- Wisconsin listed as heavy 17.5-point favorite over Miami (OH)
- Badgers have struggled with slow starts under coach Luke Fickell
- Miami (OH) lost significant talent but still poses a threat in the MAC
As the 2025 college football season approaches, the Wisconsin Badgers are set to face off against the Miami (OH) RedHawks in their season opener at Camp Randall Stadium. According to oddsmakers, the Badgers are listed as a 17.5-point favorite, indicating a significant gap between the two programs.
However, Wisconsin fans are all too familiar with the team's struggles to start the season strong under head coach Luke Fickell. In 2023, the Badgers led Buffalo just 14-10 at halftime, and last year, they trailed Western Michigan in the fourth quarter before ultimately securing victories. This pattern has raised questions about the team's ability to hit the ground running and establish its footing early in the season.
The Miami (OH) RedHawks, led by head coach Chuck Martin, are no pushovers. In 2023, they won 11 games and a league title in the MAC, followed by nine wins and a league championship game berth last fall. The RedHawks have also pulled off some notable upsets, defeating Northwestern in 2022 and Cincinnati in 2023. However, the 2025 roster has undergone significant changes, with the team losing key players across the offense and defense.
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Despite the roster turnover, the RedHawks still possess a dangerous weapon in quarterback Dequan Finn, a 7th-year player who previously starred at Toledo as the 2023 MAC MVP before transferring to Baylor. Finn's playmaking ability and experience could pose a challenge for the Badgers' defense.
For Wisconsin, the focus is less on Miami (OH) and more on the team's own development. This is Year 3 for Fickell, and the Badgers have made significant changes, including a rebuilt defensive line, more size across the front seven, and the implementation of a new wide-zone offensive scheme under coordinator Jeff Grimes. The pieces are in place, but the team must demonstrate cohesion and a willingness to rise above the slow-starting habits that have defined the Fickell era so far.
The stage is set for a compelling season opener, where Wisconsin has the opportunity to send a message that this year will be different and that the team is ready to take a step forward. The Badgers' history of dominance against MAC opponents suggests they should be just fine, but the real test will be whether they can deliver a clean, convincing start in front of the Camp Randall crowd.
