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Wisconsin Prepping Danny O'Neil to Start at No. 20 Michigan

Wisconsin Badgers insider Evan Floodby: Evan Flood10/01/25Evan_Flood

MADISON, Wis. — Sophomore quarterback Danny O’Neil said following Tuesday’s practice that he had been taking the majority of the first-team reps ahead of Saturday’s tilt at No. 20 Michigan (3-1, 0-1). With Billy Edwards still recovering from a sprained knee suffered in the season opener against Miami (OH), O’Neil is coming off the bye week preparing for his third start in four games.

“Billy is practicing still and feeling good,” said O’Neil. “I talked to him earlier, honestly, about it — what he’s feeling. And, he’s feeling good. He’s excited for whatever the journey takes him. I know he’s willing to do what’s best for the team at the end of the day. That’s just the type of guy, type of leader that he is.”

Edwards did start against Maryland, but took himself out of the game after just seven snaps, appearing to still be favoring that knee. Admittedly, head coach Luke Fickell stated on Monday that the Maryland transfer probably should have been held out.

“I said to you guys several times, we have to save him from himself. In some ways, I didn’t save him from himself with that game, wanting to play, expecting to play, preparing to play. The truth of the matter is, he probably wasn’t in a position where he was ready to play,” Fickell acknowledged. “That’s where we gotta do a better job.”

In four games, O’Neil is completing 70.6 percent of his passes for 640 yards and five touchdowns to five interceptions. In his last two outings, O’Neil is a combined 25-of-39 passing with one touchdown and three interceptions. Against Alabama and Maryland, O’Neil has thrown a pair of early picks that have flipped the game to the opposition.

“Especially, once we get down, just not pressing,” said O’Neil. “There were times versus Maryland where it was getting late, and I was trying to be Superman. Just gotta take what the defense gives me.”

Wisconsin and Michigan will kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday. Fox will have the call live from Ann Arbor.

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