Has Wisconsin’s program prestige been slipping in recent years?

When it comes to the Wisconsin Badgers for the 2025 season, ‘expectations’ has been a key word tossed around.

Wisconsin has fallen short of expectations in back-to-back seasons, finishing only 5-7 in 2024 and snapping its bowl streak of 22 years in the process. It summed up a disappointing start for head coach Luke Fickell in Madison, as he came over in search of championships and has fallen far short of that goal.

For years, Wisconsin had been seen as a perennial contender under previous coaches, even going 13-1 in 2017 under former head coach Paul Chryst. Now, those expectations don’t seem to be the same.

Overall, is the school’s prestige slipping?

“Wisconsin’s a team that, if you go back to…