So, if you’re looking for a Wisconsin Badger football today score on January 16, 2026, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a bummer. There is no game. In fact, the Badgers didn't even play in a bowl game this winter.
It’s been a rough stretch in Madison. Honestly, the 2025 season felt like a long, slow walk through a snowstorm without boots. Wisconsin finished with a 4-8 record (2-7 in the Big Ten), and their last outing was a stinging 17-7 loss to Minnesota back on November 29.
But while the scoreboard is dark right now, the activity inside the football offices is anything but quiet.
The Last Score: What Went Wrong?
Let’s look back at that final game against Minnesota because it basically summed up the whole year. The Badgers only managed one touchdown—a 1-yard pass from Carter Smith to Jackson Acker. That was it. No explosive plays, no late-game heroics. Just a lot of punting and frustration.
Missing a bowl game for the second straight year is almost unheard of around here. People are restless. You’ve probably heard the grumbling at the bars on State Street. Head coach Luke Fickell is under massive pressure. Chris McIntosh, the Athletic Director, is standing by him for now, but the "trust the process" mantra is wearing thin with fans who grew up watching 10-win seasons as a baseline.
Why the Transfer Portal Score is More Important Right Now
Since there isn't a Wisconsin Badger football today score to check on the field, fans are checking the "score" of the transfer portal. This is where Fickell is trying to save his job.
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He’s been aggressive. Like, "trading in the old car for a fleet of new ones" aggressive.
The Badgers have already landed a massive haul of 27 players from the portal. That is a staggering number. They aren’t just looking for bodies; they are looking for a complete identity shift.
The New Faces You Need to Know
The biggest win of the week happened off the field. Fickell landed Colton Joseph, the quarterback from Old Dominion. If you haven't seen his tape, the kid has wheels and a live arm. He’s a rising junior, which fits the new strategy: stop buying "one-year rentals" and start building a foundation with guys who have multiple years of eligibility left.
They also grabbed Deuce Adams from Louisville. Between Joseph and Adams, the quarterback room is suddenly crowded and competitive.
Here is a quick look at some other key additions that have fans actually feeling a spark of hope:
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- Malachi Coleman (WR): A 6'5" monster from Minnesota/Nebraska. He’s exactly the kind of deep threat this offense has lacked.
- Cai Bates (CB): A former 4-star from Florida State. The secondary was a sieve last year, so this is a huge get.
- Lucas Simmons (OL): He’s 6'8". Enough said. He’s coming over from Florida State to help rebuild a line that gave up way too many sacks last season.
The Harsh Reality of the Roster Overhaul
It’s not all "additions," though. To get these 27 new guys, a lot of people had to leave. We’re talking about 20 players hitting the exit door.
Losing Joe Brunner to Indiana really hurt. It’s one thing to lose a guy to a pro team or a powerhouse like Ohio State, but losing a starting lineman to a divisional rival to reunite with a former coach (Bob Bostad) is a tough pill to swallow.
Then there’s Dilin Jones, the running back who just committed to LSU. He was supposed to be the next great Badger back before he got hurt. Seeing him head to the SEC is a reminder that the "Running Back U" reputation is currently in a state of emergency.
What This Means for the 2026 Season
The "score" for Wisconsin football right now isn't measured in touchdowns. It's measured in talent retention and NIL deals. McIntosh has reportedly stepped up the financial backing for the program, which is why they were able to pull in a top-10 transfer class this month.
The 2026 schedule looks a bit more manageable than the gauntlet they ran in 2025. They won't have to face the #1 and #2 teams in the country in back-to-back weeks this time around.
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If Fickell doesn't turn this talent into wins by next September, the conversation won't be about portal rankings anymore—it’ll be about his buyout.
How to Stay Updated This Winter
Since you won't see a live score for a while, keep your eyes on these things:
- Spring Ball (April): This will be the first time we see Colton Joseph in a Badger uniform.
- The Second Portal Window: After spring practice, expect another wave of movement.
- Recruiting Rankings: Watch if the 2026 high school class starts to gain momentum now that the portal is filled.
The Badger football program is in the middle of a radical experiment. It’s a "do-or-die" offseason. While the Wisconsin Badger football today score is technically 0-0, the work being done in Madison right now will determine if that scoreboard ever reads "Wisconsin 30, Opponent 10" again.
Stay tuned to local Madison outlets like the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel or the Daily Cardinal for the granular details on these portal signings. The roster you see today will likely look totally different by the time August rolls around.