Fall camp is in full swing for the Wisconsin Badgers. Multiple position groups are battling it out, fighting to start against Notre Dame inside historic Lambeau Field. One group that has solidified its starter for months, however, is the quarterback spot.
Wisconsin has been haunted by the quarterback position throughout Luke Fickell’s tenure, but Colton Joseph comes into Madison looking to finally right the ship. Here are the best case, worst case, and most likely scenarios for Joseph in 2026.
Best Case: Breakout Year in the Big Ten
Before the tumultuous period of signal callers under Fickell, there was once a time when the Badgers could rely on their quarterback to win games. The likes of Russell Wilson, Alex Hornibrook, and Jack Coan all turned in seasons that amounted to success for the Badgers.
Their stats won’t pop out on paper, because all of the quarterbacks mentioned also had rushing attacks that proved to be lethal. In fact, Wilson is the program record holder for single-season passing yards at 3,175 in 2011.
But it wasn’t high passing numbers that led to Wisconsin being a respected program for decades. It was the mixture of elite running back play, alongside quarterbacks that could capitalize on defenses’ fear of the Badgers’ backfield.
For Joseph to have a breakout year in 2026, he’ll certainly need the running games of the past by his side. If the Badgers can pound the rock, Joseph can make defenses pay through the air. At Old Dominion last season, he threw for 2,624 yards and 21 touchdowns, limiting himself to 10 interceptions.
His entry into the Big Ten Conference from the Sun Belt will certainly be a jump, but Joseph has the tools for his game to translate. On top of that, one factor that could strengthen Joseph’s case for a breakout is his dual-threat capabilities.
Joseph ran for 1,007 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2025, putting him fifth in rushing yards and 10th in rushing touchdowns among all quarterbacks. It’s safe to say: Joseph can use his legs. A dual-threat quarterback adds another layer to Wisconsin’s offense, one the Badgers used to their advantage last season when redshirt freshman Carter Smith was starting.
Overall, it’ll take the perfect conditions for Joseph to have a breakout year. But if Wisconsin can finally put the pieces together, with a favorable schedule in front of them, Joseph could put on a show every Saturday in Madtown.
Worst Case: Reality Check
One of the fears when bringing in a quarterback from outside the Power Four is the jump in competition. Joseph had a successful 10-3 season in 2025, but saw trouble when facing higher-level defenses.
Against the eventual National Champion Indiana Hoosiers, Joseph threw for 96 yards and three interceptions. He did have a great game on the ground, going for 179 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, including an electric 75-yard touchdown to start the game.
In his two other losses against Marshall and James Madison, Joseph threw for a combined 475 yards, four touchdowns, and four interceptions.
In this scenario, Joseph has trouble adjusting to the defenses in the Big Ten, and Wisconsin’s offense suffers because of it. The question marks regarding the wide receiver group could also play a massive role in whether Joseph sinks or swims in the Big Ten.
This scenario is disastrous for Fickell. Increased transfer portal activity leaves the fourth-year head coach with little wiggle room if the Badgers once again fall short of expectations.
If Joseph has a down year, it could very well be the final nail in the coffin for Fickell’s tenure at Wisconsin.
Most Likely: Steady Improvement from 2025
If there’s one thing that bodes well for Joseph, it’s that the quarterback position can’t possibly be worse than 2025. Four different starters, injury after injury, and a guessing game each week about who would be taking the field for Wisconsin.
If Joseph can stay healthy all year, it’ll already be an improvement from last season. In terms of on-field play, it’ll most likely be a mix of adjustment to his new surroundings and weekly flashes of his prominent dual-threat play at Old Dominion.
Whether his backfield and wide receiver groups can help raise Joseph’s ceiling is yet to be seen. A steady rushing attack and viable options through the air would certainly help Joseph and the Badgers succeed in 2026.