Everything Luke Fickell said ahead of Week 1 vs. Notre Dame

The Wisconsin Badgers are in action for the first time this weekend as they take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on primetime on Sunday evening, just ahead of Labor Day.

It'll be one of the most difficult challenges on paper of Luke Fickell's tenure, as the Badgers are facing a top-five team in the country. Wisconsin is currently a 20.5-point underdog, with the over/under at 47.5 points.

Ahead of the game, head coach Luke Fickell spoke with the media on Monday, breaking down the matchup, sharing key injury news, looking ahead to the season, and answering key questions.

Here's everything Fickell said in his weekly presser ahead of Week 1 against Notre Dame.

Welcome back. Here we go again. So another year, another start. I think this is obviously, first games are always unique, right? I mean, this is obviously a different one and a unique one. But I think that you'll ask plenty of questions about where you are and the things that you have. And, you know, everybody talks about what's your identity? And I think that's what the start of a new year is always about. I think, the last few years in particular, I think the identities of a lot of teams, I think, are what you look for in Game 1. We all have the idea of what our program is and what we put up on walls and things we talk about.

But there's so much different each and every year, even in a sense of trying to compare yourself to the rest of the people in the league. I stopped doing it after, in particular last year, because you have no idea. So the idea of focusing on us and the things that we got to be able to do, I think, is what is most important. I think we had a really good camp. I wasn't kidding when I said that I thought we were in a good place when I was at Big Ten Media Day. I think it's continued to grow throughout the entire camp. We did some things a little bit different this fall camp, meaning that we, just structure-wise, in the first 10 days we went really hard and pretty normal to what we did. We kind of shifted gears a little bit in that, you know, that midweek for about 8 days. We basically got into version of what we would say some version of game week. And I hope it kept us healthier and put us in a better place as we get rolling here in the fall.

We have a lot of unknowns. I think that's the beauty of it, right? I mean, we got a new quarterback that we feel really good about. I'm sure you'll ask questions about him. But we also have never seen him truly play a game and looked in the eyes of those things. And so that's what I think us as coaches, what continues to drive us and motivate us, but also keep us up at night. And so excited about getting to the 6th, that's for sure. It's a longer week, this unique week. Game 1s are always that way, but in particular playing on a Sunday where there's 7 games in Week 0. Obviously, majority of the games on a Friday and Saturday, and then you play on Sunday.

So there's a lot of things that, most importantly, we've got to be able to handle, and it's more mental than anything else. That doesn't mean we're ready. Doesn't mean that the hay's in the barn of any sorts. We're just getting into game week practice. But now it's about handling the emotions of a lot of things, the mental side of a lot of things, a lot of the unknowns, and staying within ourselves. And so that's where more than anything else, I would say that the leadership has done a really good job, and I think that we'll do a better job as we continue through this week.

On Emerson Mandell and Kevin Heywood's status for Week 1…

That's why I said there's a lot of unknowns because we don't know. And there's still, there's still some time for us. Those guys have been back in some capacity, but I couldn't tell you exactly where we are to date right now. And so that'll be a little bit closer towards a game time decision. Both of them took some reps today. And as far as a lot of guys took reps today.

But that's the one spot probably on the offensive line that this week is going to be a lot of determining factors. I think this is where we have to be smart in all the things that we're doing. And we know this is a huge game in Game 1 and kicking off the way we're kicking off in Lambeau against Notre Dame. But we also understand there's a journey here. And so, you know, there's a part of this thing that we've got to make sure that as we get closer towards game time, we do the things that are going to be best for us for this entire journey. And so there aren't decisions made completely on a lot of guys just yet. And we'll have to figure that out as we get closer to game day.

On Marcus Freeman's success as a head coach and if anything has surprised Fickell…

No, I think that, like I said, I've known him for a long time and been around some really good coaches, and I think that when those guys kind of go off on their own, I think the unique thing is they find their way to create the things that make them even better. And so, no, I think that, you know, seeing the growth of that program and team from afar, there's a part of it that makes you happy about it.

Having a history with not just him, but a lot of the guys that are there with that staff. But that's not surprising to me at all. And I think that's, for whatever reason, I think the unique thing is guys find a way to create their own identities and a lot of different things. And I think the ones that have the most success, like Marcus has, are ones that create the identity for themselves, not just where they've been, whether it's when he was with us in Cincinnati or his time at Ohio State or his time under Jim Tressel. I think that the really good ones find a way to create an identity for themselves. And I think that's what they've done a great job of.

No, no. I think that right now those guys are all taking reps. Obviously, Colton's taking the reps with the ones. I think today we still continue to have both those guys rep with the twos. That's another one of those things. I don't know that we'll ever designate a whole lot of who is the No. 2.

We've all seen this in the past. I think the opportunities are still going to be there for those guys to compete on a daily basis. We want to give both those guys opportunities and be ready. The nice thing is it's not like we've had in the past where truly you're switching some versions of what guys can do based on who's in there with the ones and with the twos and even with the third group or who's rolling in there on the 1Bs or 2Bs. So those guys have been able to be able to continue to do the same things. And I think that gives them the chance to grow. And if we get to that point and we got to make some of those decisions, we'll have to make it.

On what it means for local kids to be playing at Lambeau…

No, I think there's so much more. I think when you get to game day, I think when you pull up there, I'm sure those guys, there'll be some emotions. But I think the magnitude of the game, I think the magnitude of where we are as a program and a team. I think these guys all in this program, whether it's their first year here or a guy like Aaron Witt's 6th year here, there's a lot riding not just on this week but on all the things that we're doing. And so I've tried to counterbalance that in a lot of ways. I'm not trying to make this about anything more than what it is.

I'm not making this thing about anything more than, there's a rivalry or there's some storylines of some sorts like that. There's enough on the plates, and whether they're from Green Bay or we've got guys that they're in their first year here, I think everybody understands and recognizes maybe that there's a little different pressure in the world today, and in particular for us.

And so I don't know that the magnitude of even where we're going to be at right now has had nearly as much to do [with it]. Now we get there on Sunday, I think that there'll be a little bit of something different. The lights come on. I think that's a good point. Obviously, there'll be some things to manage, but that's not something I think [about], because of all the other things we have to worry about throughout the entire week.

On how Colton Joseph's experience will help him slow down…

Well, that's what I said from the get-go. Like, he's played a lot of games, he played a lot of big games. I mean, at quarterback, everybody understands there's a lot of pressure on guys no matter where you are, I say that for us is because I haven't looked him in the eyes in those games. That doesn't mean that he worries about, I wonder what coaches are going to think about me, or what this, that, or the other thing in the game. Like, so to me, I don't know that it's going to be something that all of a sudden is going to be overwhelming to Colton.

That whole idea of, hey, as the lights turn on, you're in Lambeau Field. Yeah, I think there'll be a magnitude of those things, but I think that Colton has done a really good job. I think what he's done even a better job after spring football and through fall camp is recognizing the people that he has around him. And we all put a lot of pressure on the quarterback, and we all understand that the quarterback position is where everything starts, in particular on the offense, but even within your team and your program.

And I think having some balance to some of the things we've been able to do, some of the guys around him to be able to shoulder some of the leadership as a team and even as an offense, has taken some of that off of his shoulders. And so I want nothing more for Colton to relax, be the ball player that he is, recognize that, yeah, maybe he hasn't been in Lambeau Field, and maybe he hasn't been on, so to speak, national television. But, you know, once the ball's kicked off, there's not that much difference. The speed of the game is the speed of the game, and he'll be able to adjust to that.

On what he's looking for from the offense in Week 1…

I think there's a balance. I think more than anything offensively, we've got to make sure we've got balance in what we're doing. Colton's got to be able to have balance as well. He's got to be able to let people around him do things. He's got to be able to be aggressive and do the things he needs to do. At the quarterback position in particular, it comes down to decision-making. I mean, it's knowing your strengths and playing to them. And so all Game 1s, I don't care who it is, it could be CJ Carr on the other side, there's a lot of similarities in what you expect from a quarterback in Game 1.

I mean, nobody's hit a quarterback since they played last year. So your ability to take care of the football, and that doesn't just mean not throwing it into coverage and throwing it like Your ability to take care of the football, your ability to make good decisions, your ability to be able to handle the situations that arise. Every quarterback is going to have to go through that, in particular on Game 1, because, you know, no one's going to put their quarterbacks live in this day and age. And so I think for me, for him, I think that's the biggest thing is just reminding him that the game that he's played in a lot of them, there'll be some adjustments maybe just with the nature of the speed of the game. But it's all about decision-making. It's all about making sure you trust and believe in the people that are around you, and you take what is there.

On challenge/benefit of facing Notre Dame defense in Week 1…

Well, I don't know if we want to answer that question. The truth, you would love obviously to have a preseason game like we've all talked about. Get your feet wet, recognize where you are. That's not always the case. And so we don't get those choices. So in some ways, we've kind of looked at, hey, this is no better way than what we've talked about. We've got to find a way to close a gap. Well, we're going to find out where we are in closing that gap. If they're really the No. 1 team or the No. 2 team or No. 3 team in the country or the odds-on favorite to be the national champ, whatever. I mean, we're going to find out real quick at what gaps there were and what we've seen and where we are.

And that doesn't mean that, um, there has to be a giant gap, and then there's different ways of closing those gaps. But I think it also is, you put us in perspective to say, hey, knowing what we need to be able to do coming out of fall camp. And in the long run, I think it's going to help us, you know. I think it's really going to help us. I think it helped us adjust some of the things we needed to do for fall camp to make sure we came out in a different frame of mind, in a different place physically, as we enter into Game 1.

On if they played live reps in practice…

No, I'm gonna be honest with you. We did in spring. We did a couple snaps early in fall camp. But to be honest with you, the plan was, hey, we're probably not going to do a ton of live ball as we get closer. Yeah, it'd be nice to have, you know, a version of playing Week 0. Um, but that's not the case. And so we're going to get to find out a lot about ourselves, get to measure ourselves really quick to find out how much this gap is closed.

On whether they'll avoid Leonard Moore in secondary…

I mean, again, we've got to not just think that we can't go that direction. Like, I'm not saying he's not the best in the country. I'm not saying he's not a top 2, 3 pick in the country. But the idea is you still got to be able to run your offense. And I think the thing that I love about what it is that we do is we make people do everything. And, so, he'll have a chance to prove that he's the best in the country, not just in the way he covers but also in the way that he maybe sets some edges and maybe the way that he has to fit in on some ability to tackles and things like that.

So, I think again that's a part of being smart, but that's also a part of saying, hey, look, Game 1, man, we've got to be able to run our offense. Tthis is a challenge not only to the entire offense, it's a challenge to the wideouts. I mean, everybody's got the goal and the dream to play at the next level. Well, I tell you what, you're going to go out there and you're going to face not just in particular there at the corner position, but you're going to face a lot of NFL players.

And there's no better way for us to measure ourselves individually against the best or, again, closing that gap as it is as a team. And so, I think that there's a part of being smart, but there's also a part of challenging ourselves. And there's some adjustments that will have to be made throughout the entire game. But I'm interested to see how that matchup continues to go and how our guys take the challenge and run with it.

On challenge of defending CJ Carr, his growth…

Yeah, I mean, I think there's a lot of new weapons. I think that there's obviously some guys back that he's really comfortable with. There are some new tight ends, but, I think most importantly, receiver-wise, there are some guys that maybe played 2 years ago that maybe has a connection with. They didn't play a lot that year, but we know they've got a very incredible amount of talent. Sometimes that's even more difficult because you've got to spread the ball around so much.

But, what I would say is his best is his ability to manage a game, his ability to move the ball. He doesn't make a ton of mistakes, but the mistakes he did make, even as a— I don't even know if I call them redshirt freshmen anymore— a freshman, as a second-year guy last year, it didn't seem like it cost him the next series or anything like that. And so I would guess he's very mature beyond his years.

So I think the balance that the offense has, I think is where his strength is. Does he throw a great deep ball? Yeah. But I think his timing on things is where, as a younger guy last year, I thought he was very different. And so, we'll see where he's grown to. We'll see where their offense has grown to. I know them in general. I know Coach Denbrock in a lot of ways, and they're not gonna get away from the run just because they've got a Heisman-hopeful quarterback and maybe some new tailbacks. The balance of their offense will be what's really important. But I'm sure they'll feature him in a lot of different ways, and we'll see how he's grown.

On the value of previous tape for Game 1 prep…

Well, again, I think that the retention of their staff too tells you where they are. And yes, they have a lot of players returning. I think that's where the unique thing in college football is today. I mean, I said it at the opening that it's hard to compare yourself against a lot of people in the country because, A) you don't know exactly where you are with the nature of 35, 40, 50 new guys on your team, but you don't know where everybody else is. I.e., that's not always the case for the top 5 teams in the country, top 10 teams in the country. And Notre Dame is one of those.

I mean, that's why I say closing the gap and recognizing where you are against the very best. They've added a lot of pieces, but I think that obviously the core nucleus and the crux of their team and their program was there last year and has been guys they've developed from within. And so it does give you an idea of what you're going to be playing against. But I think that more than anything, I think that's where the toughest thing about not just Game 1 but college football is today. And, you know, you make some of those mistakes, and I think maybe I've made some of those mistakes in the past couple years, spending time thinking about where you are based on your league and based on the games that you play, when in reality, as you start the thing, you have no idea.

And so to focus too much on them is not where we wanted to be. But it makes it a little bit easier when they've got the retention that they've had, both as players and coaches. As far as their defensive front goes, what makes going against that group a challenge? Well, they're aggressive, but I think, in the back end of things, they're going to get on you. And they've been a man-coverage team in a lot of ways, and they'll mix it up some. But I'm sure the philosophy is to give up nothing easy. And I think that's what can wear on teams. I mean, you watch them play against USC last year, and USC makes some plays, and it's a pretty competitive first half in particular. But they didn't change a ton. They came out the second half, continued to put the pressure on them, continue to get on receivers, and make it very, very, very challenging for you to take anything easy. And I think that gives them the opportunity up front to be aggressive.

And so I think maybe, from what they had last year to what they have this year in particular up front on the defensive line, and I think they're going to have more depth, I think they're going to have more length, I think they may have some even more NFL true players up front on the defensive line. And so there's no doubt that it'll be a challenge for us up front. Not gonna say it's going to be the best defensive front we play the entire year, but if it's not the most talented defensive front, it'll be one of the most talented defensive fronts.

On change to in-season practice schedule…

There was a lot of changes in the things that we wanted to be able to do, and [so I said], hey, let's look and figure out what's going to give us a better chance to be successful. But you visit with some of your guys, you spend some time with that leadership group, and it had also been a bigger philosophy change as far as, hey, what can you do as far as school-wise? And so I didn't want to do something in the morning that was going to be rolling at 6 AM.

But I think twofold: our guys enjoying and liking the ability to do things earlier in the morning with our school being able to handle some of those things where we don't have to be off the field by 10 o'clock, so the guys can get into all the classes early. There's been a balance of us being able to do that, and it's taken some work from not just our academic people, but a lot of people. But I think it's better for us. I think the biggest change is for the coaches. They've been in a routine for so long. I have, too, in the fall, that norm and routine, I don't think is what was best for the players. So, we switched it up, and I can't tell you how we love it just yet. But I know the players do.

On comfort level and difference with rushing attack on offense…

We'll see. I mean, like I said, there's no better front, more talented front, than we'll probably see than Game 1. And so I think that there's a balance to it. I think our offensive line is one that I couldn't tell you today, right now, who's going to be up there up front to start. And there could be a combination, and I bet you will see a lot of guys play. And I'm not saying that in Week 4 that's what we want, but I think as this journey begins, we know that there's some things up front that guys have worked, guys have provided some things. They've earned the opportunity to be able to play. This isn't a tryout period. Not saying that, obviously, but I think there's going to be a combination of things that we've got to be able to do up front.

And so I think the balance of the quarterback, but also the running backs. I mean, it's not just, hey, well, the offensive front's got to do a great job at creating holes. I mean, a really good back and some dynamic backs can make it a little bit easier on the offensive line as well. And so that's where I say about the balance. The balance isn't always just, hey, you got to be 50% run and 50% pass. The balance is saying, hey, you got to have a quarterback that can make some things happen sometimes if the pressure or the front breaks down in the passing game. And you have to have some backs that, at times, if somebody's in the hole, they win one-on-ones. And so the game is not, hey, we got to design the perfect play every single time that we get you in a hole that's wide open so that we can run the football.

So that's where I mean there's a balance there. And that's another reason why I like where we are. I think we've got a group of backs that are going to give us a chance that if everything isn't perfect, they can play through imperfect, you know. And I think we've got a guy, a group of guys up front on the offensive line that, as they build their confidence, as they build their ability to play together, that they'll be able to play through imperfect a lot better than I think we have in the last couple years. And so we don't know everything, but like I said, the first one will be an incredible challenge to find out where we are with that too.

On if any true freshmen have earned right for early playing time, being on two-deep…

It's hard to remember some of these guys. They come in early, so it's hard to say who's even a true freshman. I know this, that a guy that didn't come in early, [cornerback] Donovan Dunmore, you'll see out there a bit on some special teams. There's no doubt [tight end] Jack Sievers is a guy that you'll see out there on some special teams.

I don't want to leave out a bunch of others, and I can't think sometimes off the top of my head all the guys that are true freshmen or came in in January. Those 2 guys, for sure, stand out to me that will have definite roles on September 6th. And there's another one, right? I mean, like, you know, under the lights in Lambeau Field that an 18-year-old that's going to be something we got to find out a lot about ourselves as well.

On a favorite memory, story with Marcus Freeman…

No, no, the most important thing for us is that we keep ourselves focused on the things that matter. And what matters is when that ball's kicked off, where we are. And, if at some point in time it becomes a bigger deal, then it takes the pressure off our players and our team; great, we'll get into it. But, for us and for the things we got to be able to, we know what this is all about. And so, when that comes up, I'll defer and basically, in general saying it's not just Coach Freeman, it's not just Marcus that we got a long history with.

There's a lot of guys over there that, in particular, we got great relationships with and had great relationships with. And like I've always said, I wouldn't be sitting here today if it wasn't for not just him but a lot of those guys over on that, uh, in that staff. But we all know that I'm not the greatest in particular of keeping great relationships, in particular on game days. Whether that was my brother on the other side of the fence or not, it'll be cordial in the way that we go about things. And there's a game to be played. And so whether that's before we talk about things in the press conference, on the field before the game, there's something that's special about game day, and we'll keep it that way.

On the mindset of having no Plan B this year…

Yeah, I mean, as you go into games, there's adjustments in being able to adapt, but the idea of no Plan B is, guys, like, we got to put it all out there. And the whole philosophy and motto of let it fly is important, and guys got to understand that. And I think they have. I think that they recognize that. And part of that, like I've said, is trying to back off a little bit in the idea of how much pressure is on all of us to perform. It is what it is. I mean, this is the game today.

But the idea of, hey, let's not have any excuses. Let's not have anything that we're holding on to from the past. Let's make sure everything we do as we're moving forward— there's a lot of guys, a lot of different histories, whether it's history with guys on the other side of the ball in Game 1 or histories from other schools they've been at. The idea is, guys, we've got 9 months, 8 months together here for us to do some things and to set some standards and to create our own history. And let's not worry about a lot of the other things that we have no control over. And so that's a part of what that— hey, no plan Bs, man. Let's not worry about the alternatives, and let's just make sure we understand we'll continue to move forward.

On status of RBs Bryan Jackson, Nate Palmer, and thoughts on new availability report rules…

No, I mean, we could just list everybody as doubtful, probable. I don't take a whole lot into that. I understand what it is and why it is, and it's not like we're trying to play any games, but that's why even like today, I can't tell you exactly. The guys are back out there practicing, but you're talking about game 1, and how much are they? I don't know. Those are new guys that haven't played, haven't played here with us. But they'll be up, they'll be practicing.

How many guys can play at the tailback position? I think that's probably a bigger thing. I mean, like, you can't really think you're going to play 4 guys. I mean, if you're gonna have some consistency in the things you're going to do, you've got to be able to roll with a couple guys. And so it has been a little bit more difficult because that room has had some nagging injuries and miss some of fall camp. But there's some things we're gonna have to figure out this week. And as we go into game 1, you know, that plan being in place as to who's going to be the guy that's going to be 1A and 1B. And then if we get to another situation, then obviously we'll be able to use some other guys. But, I think there's still some things within that room that we got to be able to see this week. I can tell you this: Abu Sama is our 1A. And from there, I think there's a lot of things that we'll have to figure out as we continue to move forward.

On balancing how to use Colton Joseph's dual threat ability with staying healthy

Well, I think that's a part of making good decisions. The whole idea is there's no plan B. We're not trying to save things. Like, we've got to be aggressive. We've got to be able to do the things we need to be able to do. It's not second-guessing and things like that. So, there's a good plan. And his ability doesn't have to just be running the football. It can be ability to just create more time. It's also, hopefully, it can slow down some people on the other side, as far as even their pass rush.

There's a balance to the quarterback's abilities to move in the pocket and create things if he has to run that you got to think about as a defense in the way that which you rush. And that can help an offensive line too. And so, there's a part of, as you get into the game, recognizing how people want to play and how they're going to play you based on the abilities that maybe just your quarterback has, maybe the abilities that your running back has, and as we all know, the abilities that your wide receivers have. So, that's where everybody hears me say balance, and you keep saying balance. Well, it's not 50% run, 50% pass. The balance is understanding and recognizing the abilities that we have and how people have to play you and how that can be used to your advantage as well.