Greg Schiano’s Two Biggest Worries Ahead of the Rutgers‑Wisconsin Showdown

After a 30‑0 drubbing at the hands of Iowa that knocked Wisconsin out of the AP Top 25, the Badgers are trying to shake off the sting and prove they’re still a threat. The loss has also put extra heat on head coach Luke Fickell, whose “can’t‑beat‑the‑Hawkeyes” streak is still a fresh wound.

Now the Scarlet Knights are heading to Madison for what looks like a perfect storm of challenges. Rutgers is a 2‑6 team (1‑4 in the Big Ten), barely hanging on, and they have never managed to beat Wisconsin – the Badgers sit at a pristine 6‑0 against the Knights. Still, Schiano refuses to write off the game as a walk‑over.

“I have a lot of respect for Luke, an excellent football coach and an even better man,” Schiano said in a recent press conference, before laying out the two things that keep him up at night. First up: quarterback Colton Joseph. The guy is more than just a passer – he’s a runner, a blocker and, honestly, a bit of a nightmare for defensive game‑planners.

“Colton is dangerous. He can run, he can throw, he does it all,” Schiano explained. “He’s elusive, he’s tough, he’s their leading rusher and it’s not just by scrambles. They have designed quarterback runs. When he’s got the ball, you’ve suddenly got ten blockers plus him as a ball‑carrier.” Schiano even noted that Joseph’s physique—more like a linebacker than a typical quarterback—lets him absorb hits that would drop a regular passer.

The second concern? Size. Wisconsin’s defensive front is a wall of brick. The three interior linemen who take the most snaps each sit north of 320 pounds; Russell and Perkins are listed at 330 and 325 pounds respectively. “Their D‑line is unusually large. Gonna be a real challenge with Charles Perkins and Hammond Russell,” Schiano warned.

And it’s not just the defense. The Badgers’ offensive line is “gigantic,” according to Schiano, giving the unit the power to open up lanes for Joseph’s running game while also protecting the quarterback when he’s forced to throw.

All of this means Rutgers can’t just rely on a single game‑plan. They’ll have to brace for a quarterback who can flip the script with a run, and a line on both sides of the ball that’s built for power. Schiano knows the odds are stacked, but he also knows his team has pulled off surprise wins before – remember that upset over Maryland? This one will be another test of grit, preparation and maybe a little bit of luck.