Wisconsin Badgers and Luke Fickell sticking with true freshman QB against Indiana

The Badgers, fresh off an upset win over a ranked opponent, will have a true freshman under center in Bloomington against No. 2 Indiana

Nov 8, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers quarterback Carter Smith (5) rushes with the football between Washington Huskies linebacker Deven Bryant (17) and defensive lineman Ta'ita'i Uiagalelei (11) during the third quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Wisconsin Badgers have had more question marks than answers at the quarterback position this season.

Between injuries and substandard play, Luke Fickell and the Badgers have waited until hours before kickoff before naming a starter most weeks.

With Danny O'Neil and Billy Edwards sidelined for Saturday's matchup with No. 2 Indiana, that was the case once again.

Finally, there is some clarity regarding the quarterback position.

Related: How to watch, listen and stream Wisconsin Badgers' game at No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers

Carter Smith to start against No. 2 Hoosiers

Smith opened the season fourth on the Badgers depth chart, but the true freshman will make his first career start Saturday.

handling pressure with poise@CoachFick and @MarkTauscher65 connected on the field ahead of today’s game at Indiana.

Presented by Zimbrick Fish Hatchery Road pic.twitter.com/9ylz8EIhSM

— Wisconsin Football (@BadgerFootball) November 15, 2025

Smith entered once O'Neil went down against the Huskies and remained under center for all but one drive, which he ceded to Hunter Simmons in the closing seconds of the first half.

Despite helping lead Wisconsin to its first ranked win in four years, Smith seemingly had to compete with Simmons in the days before facing Indiana.

Fickell abstained from naming a starter during his weekly press conference Monday, noting that Smith's entrance against Washington was, in part, due to his ability to run the football.

Sign Up For the Wisconsin Daily Digest - OnSI’s Free Wisconsin Badgers Newsletter

That was a primary focus in Wisconsin's offensive attack when O'Neil was at the helm.

But Smith threw for just eight yards on 12 passing attempts, putting no pressure on the opposing secondary.

Four passers combined for 48 yards in Wisconsin's first ranked win since 2021.

◻️ Sean West | 1/1 | 24 YDS
◻️ Hunter Simmons | 2/3 | 16 YDS
◻️ Carter Smith | 3/12 | 8 YDS
◻️ Danny O'Neil | 0/2 | 0 YDS pic.twitter.com/2XCNPO5Cqe

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 9, 2025

Against a team like Indiana, which leads the country in points per game, Wisconsin's offense must be able to throw the ball downfield — something Fickell acknowledged in his press conference.

Simmons is in his fifth year of college football and may have been more well equipped to threaten the Hoosiers secondary. But in four starts this season, he has struggled to consistently complete passes.

He topped 100 passing yards in just one of those outings and completed eight or fewer passes in each of his final three starts.

Instead, Fickell will roll the dice with the true freshman, who, despite looking unpolished in the pass game, offered the Badgers a major spark as a rusher against Washington.

More Wisconsin Badgers News:

• Barry Alvarez doesn't think Wisconsin Badgers need turnaround: 'This is not a rebuild'

• Wisconsin Badgers adding to in-state football recruiting for 2026 with priority walk-ons

• Top-ranked Wisconsin Badgers QB target for class of 2027 sets timeline for commitment decision

• 3 Wisconsin Badgers seniors suing NCAA to pursue fifth year of football eligibility