Luke Fickell reveals where Wisconsin stands on deciding starting quarterback

Whether due to injury or poor play, Wisconsin has made several changes when it comes to their quarterback. Now, coming out of their second bye week, the Badgers are still undecided on which one will be their starter for this weekend’s next game against No. 24 Washington.

Luke Fickell was asked where that position stands this week during his press conference on Monday. He said that they wouldn’t know more until later in the week with how things went in practice, starting with today in Madison.

“You know, again, we’ll go out there today, kind of see where we are. You know, over the bye week, there’s a lot of things that we did trying to focus in on the things we can do to get better. And, I don’t know if there’s an exact – we don’t know exactly where we are right now. You know, we’ve got to go through the week, and figure out what that is.”

The biggest part of this question is the health of QB Billy Edwards Jr.. Having dealt with an injury since the opener for Wisconsin, Edwards Jr. has made just two appearances all season in the opener against Miami (OH) before trying to come back almost a month later against Maryland. That has limited him, their transfer addition at the position, this fall to being just 7-16 (43.8%) for 133 passing yards.

With him sidelined, QBs Danny O’Neil and Hunter Simmons have played in his place for the Badgers. They have each made six appearances apiece, with O’Neil posting 69.3% completion for 105.8 passing yards per game with five touchdowns and interceptions apiece while Simmons is at 50% completion for 78.2 passing yards per game with two touchdowns and five picks of his own. Simmons has been the focus the past four games since October, but nothing has still been settled for Wisconsin.

That said, this has been the case for the duration of this season for the Badgers. That means there’s nothing new for their offense as they prepare to go into another week with a lot to consider when it comes to quarterback.

“There’s a lot of variables still to what we’re doing at that position in particular,” said Fickell.

WATCH LIVE: Luke Fickell Previews Washington

Luke Fickell addressed the media at noon on Monday to preview Saturday’s conference matchup with Wisconsin (2-6, 0-5) hosting No. 24 Washington (6-2, 3-2).

Saturday’s kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CT. The Big Ten Network will have the call live from Camp Randall Stadium.