It looks like facing a 13-16 loss to the Oregon Ducks has taken a toll on Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell‘s mind. Do you know he just fired his longtime colleague, the offensive coordinator Phil Longo, after he served them for two years? “I’m committed to doing everything we can to close out this season with success,” Fickell said in an official statement after firing Longo. The reason for the firing? Well, as Fickell said, they are changing things to have a chance at bowl eligibility. Currently, at 5-5, one win can take them over.

Strategies from a new OC may be a challenge for Badgers’ Week 13 opponents: Nebraska Cornhuskers. While Fickell felt that he no longer needed Longo’s services, the Huskers’ head coach has come out and praised the former Badgers’ OC. As per Matt Rhule, “Last year, I thought Phil Longo had the best game plan against our defense of anyone we faced.” 

Which game is Rhule referring to? Last year, when the two teams faced off against each other towards the end of the regular season, the Badgers came out on top of the Cornhuskers by 24-17 in an overtime victory. Longo’s offense gathered over 300 yards and a game-winning touchdown drive in over time. So, it’s understandable that Rhule has compliments for the departing OC.

Despite Rhule’s comments, the numbers don’t bode well for Longo, who has previous stints as an OC at programs like North Carolina and Ole Miss. In those two places, things mostly worked for him as his teams averaged over 32.8/game. At Badgers? Not even close. The rushing offense currently ranks 57th in the country (169.3 yards). The total offense is even worse at the 91st rank (363.1 yards). Wisconsin’s offense is managing just 5.37 yards play, which is not good enough when you have to go against powerhouse offenses every week.

Despite that, the news came out as a storm ahead of Week 13’s big clash. The Badgers are still far from getting bowl game eligibility, and that’s why Luke Fickell is doing anything he can to salvage their season. However, only a strong performance by his boys and a miracle by the new OC can do that for the Badgers’ head coach. As of now, they are underdogs entering this game, as predicted by major experts in college football.

Who’d be calling the offense against Nebraska?

Luck Fickell was asked about the new OC at his weekly press conference after he announced that Longo would be let go from his staff. The Badgers’ head coach declined to answer the question and instead said, “Why does it matter?” Well, Wisconsin fans may argue that the name of the person running their offense matters, but to each their own.

Are there any names doing the rounds? Well, as per The Athletic, the most probable candidate to replace Longo for the next two games is Badgers’ tight ends coach Nate Letton. Nate has been with Fickell since his time at Cincinnati. Moreover, there is the added responsibility of QB coaching and signalling plays during the game. Longo managed both. Wide receivers coach Kenny Guiton may take over those responsibilities for the remainder of the season.

That’s where we are at currently. It’s highly unlikely that Fickell would add a new person to his staff for just two games. That is a longer process and may be done once the season is over. Letton and Guiton have been with the head coach for a while, and Luke Fickell would hope that they can help him turn things around against the Cornhuskers on November 23.