Luke Fickell Drops Hints About Wisconsin's QB Battle; Fans Better Prepare For The Unexpected

It appears Wisconsin's QB battle between Braedyn Locke and Tyler Van Dyke is the real deal, and it might not end as fans expect.

Van Dyke transferred to the Badgers from the Miami Hurricanes, and the belief ever since that happened has been that he would be QB1 when the season started.

However, Locke has other plans, and is giving Van Dyke all he can handle. In fact, practice reports seem to indicate Locke is performing at a much higher and more consistent level.

Fickell's recent comments about the situation didn't do anything to indicate Van Dyke is actually going to win the job.

Tyler Van Dyke is getting all he can handle from Braedyn Locke in Wisconsin QB battle. (Credit: Journal Sentinel via USA Today Sports Network)

Luke Fickell addresses Wisconsin's QB situation.

"I want to see them both kind of come out of their shells leadership wise when they're in there to take charge. I think, in particular, Tyler is still learning a lot of the system. Sometimes that makes it a little more difficult on him. For anything, I want to see consistency. I want to see leadership, I want to see that demeanor, that body language, regardless of what happens," Fickell told the press. He also implied, without naming a QB, that there might be too many emotions involved when it comes to highs and lows.

You can watch his full comments below, and hit me with your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.

I know enough about Wisconsin football and coaches in general to know that Fickell's comments don't indicate to me Van Dyke is in the position that coaches expected.

He's splitting first team reps with Locke and regularly getting outperformed by the redshirt sophomore from Texas. Do Fickell's comments sound like he's full of confidence? Is he talking about how Van Dyke is running the show? Not at all. In fact, he's talking about how he's having a more difficult time due to not knowing the offense. It's spring ball, but the team is deep into spring ball at this point. Van Dyke still can't dominate the QB1 reps.

The situation is even crazier when you compare their stats:

• Tyler Van Dyke: 7,469 passing yards, 54 passing touchdowns and 23 interceptions in 32 appearances.
• Braedyn Locke: 777 passing yards, five passing touchdowns and one interception in 5 appearances.

Van Dyke has way more experience, but so far, it doesn't matter. Fans might want to start mentally preparing for the very real chance Braedyn Locke is QB1 when the season opens. As a Wisconsin man, I'm definitely not against it if he earns the job.

Will Braedyn Locke start at QB for the Wisconsin Badgers this season? (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

May the best man play, and right now, there's nothing to indicate that's Tyler Van Dyke. Let me know your thoughts at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.