Ad Disclosure
Luke Fickell sends clear message to Wisconsin contingent with USC ties ahead of Week 5
By Sean Labar
Published:
Luke Fickell understands there have been narratives about the obvious ties between the Wisconsin and USC football programs ahead of Saturday’s Big Ten clash.
Alex Grinch — who is in his first season as the Badgers’ defensive coordinator — held the same position for the Trojans last year. Junior wide receiver C.J. Williams and linebacker Tackett Curtis also both played for USC before transferring to Wisconsin, while punter Atticus Bertrams was committed to the Trojans before deciding to play for the Badgers.
But Fickell has a clear message for his squad ahead of Saturday’s matchup against USC, who is coming off a loss on the road to Michigan.
#Badgers have a couple of ties to USC.
C.J. Williams and Tackett Curtis both played there. Alex Grinch coached there. Atticus Bertrams was committed there.
Fickell's message to that group: "This is about Wisconsin versus USC. Don't make it about anything different."
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) September 23, 2024
“This is about Wisconsin vs. USC,” Fickell said on Monday “Don’t make it about anything different.”
Wisconsin didn’t play over the weekend and has had a week to rest and prepare for the Trojans after the pummeling Alabama gave the Badgers in their last game, with the Crimson Tide winning 42-10 in Madison.
Now Fickell will hope his team can find a way to stay competitive with the Trojans. Not only do the Badgers have to make the cross-country trip to USC, but they will be starting Braedyn Locke at QB, with starter Tyler Van Dyke going down for the season in the loss to Alabama.
Kickoff is slated for 3:30 PM ET.