Colton Joseph: Can QB Save Wisconsin Coach's Job?

Wisconsin's starting quarterback, Colton Joseph, has garnered national attention, being ranked No. 33 among Power Four signal-callers for the upcoming 2026 season. He also secured the 10th spot within the competitive Big Ten conference quarterback rankings. Joseph arrives at Wisconsin following an impressive 2025 campaign at Old Dominion. During that season, he demonstrated his dual-threat capabilities by accumulating 2,624 passing yards and 21 touchdowns, complemented by 1,007 rushing yards and 13 rushing scores.

The expectations for Joseph in Madison are substantial, with his play directly tied to head coach Luke Fickell's tenure. Reports indicate that Fickell's position with the program is contingent upon immediate improvement in the Big Ten, facilitated by the new quarterback lineup. Failure to achieve this could lead to Fickell's departure. The Badgers will commence their season in a neutral-site game against Notre Dame, providing an early benchmark for Joseph's performance before conference play begins.