Wisconsin
Eight saddest college football fan bases after Week 7
There’s no mystery or suspenseful reveal as to which college football team tops this list after Week 7, so let’s just get right into it.
These are the fan bases in the worst shape on Sunday morning after Week 7 of the college football season.
Penn State has gone from a preseason No. 2 ranking to 3-3 and entirely out of the Big Ten race halfway through the season after three straight losses to Oregon and improbably UCLA and Northwestern. The road loss at previously-winless UCLA seemed like it would surely be rock bottom for the Nittany Lions, but then they went and lost 22-21 at home to the middling Wildcats as coach James Franklin stared off into the abyss that has become his team’s season.
“We shouldn’t lose that game,” Franklin said afterward. “It’s 100% on me, and we have to get it fixed, and I will get it fixed.”
Actually, he won’t. Franklin was fired Sunday morning, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.
Sources: Penn State has fired James Franklin.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 12, 2025
This season started with national championship aspirations, and now it’s not even clear if the Nittany Lions will reach a bowl game, especially with quarterback Drew Allar sustaining a season-ending injury. More to the point, they’re looking at a total reset for the program.
It doesn’t get any more disappointing than that.
There also should be no surprise as to No. 2 on this list.
Florida State didn’t have the same outside expectations this season as Penn State, but after beating Alabama in the season-opener hopes we’re certainly heightened for the Seminoles.
Instead, they too have now lost three straight, including a crushing 34-31 home loss Saturday to Pittsburgh.
Patience is running very thin for sixth-year coach Mike Norvell, after a 2-10 finish last year and now this.
The general reaction was that Wisconsin made a good hire a few years ago when it landed Luke Fickell as head coach after his successful run at Cincinnati.
Now? It seems only a matter of time before Fickell is fired.
After going 7-6 and 5-7 in his first two seasons, the Badgers are now 2-4 and have lost all four games against Power Four opponents by at least two touchdowns. However, the worst was Saturday with a 37-0 loss at home to Iowa.
“That’s as low as it can be,” Fickell said afterward. “And I apologize. I apologize to our guys to not be ready, to not have them ready. I’m dumbfounded in a lot of ways.”
So too are the fans as “Fire Fickell” chants broke out in the stadium Saturday. That sure seems inevitable at this point, and for Wisconsin fans it can’t come soon enough
No matter what happens the rest of this season, Auburn and its fans are going to lament the major what-if from its 20-10 loss at home to No. 10 Georgia on Saturday.
The Tigers were up 10-0 and thought they were about to make it 17-0 late in the second quarter when quarterback Jackson Arnold took the ball on third-and-goal from the 1 and attempted to dive over the pile into the end zone.
But the ball was poked out and ruled a fumble. A lengthy video review — in which it certainly could have gone either way — upheld the ruling, leaving Auburn coach Hugh Freeze apoplectic on the sideline.
The Tigers never scored again as Georgia reeled off 20 unanswered points to seize the game.
Auburn is now 3-3 and winless in the SEC after losing three straight games.
It was a great story that Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer got himself ready to play less than three weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a broken bone in his throwing hand, willing himself back to action in time for the Red River Shootout against rival Texas on Saturday.
But then the game started …
Mateer threw three interceptions, and the Sooners looked overmatched in a 23-6 loss to the reeling Longhorns.
It was the first loss for Oklahoma (5-1, 1-1 SEC), but the Sooners dropped eight spots in the AP poll to No. 14 and face arguably the toughest remaining schedule in college football with a road game at South Carolina followed by five straight games against ranked opponents (as the poll currently stands) — vs. No. 5 Ole Miss, at No. 11 Tennessee, at No. 6 Alabama, vs. No. 16 Missouri and vs. No. 10 LSU.
Considering how the Sooners looked Saturday, their fans must be wondering now how many of those remaining games they can win.
Maybe UCLA isn’t as bad as everyone thought after it started 0-4 and fired head coach DeShaun Foster, but still … Michigan State fans aren’t taking a blowout 38-13 loss at home to the Bruins well.
They especially weren’t happy to hear Smith say after the game, “I’m not pressing a huge panic button here.”
The Spartans are 3-3 overall but 0-3 in the Big Ten, having lost all three games (to USC, Nebraska, and now the 2-4 Bruins) by double digits. After a 5-7 finish last season, it’s hard to see this as a program going in the right direction.
Michigan fans were eager to believe that the Wolverines were ready to compete for a College Football Playoff spot again, with five-star freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood elevating the offense.
It was a bit disheartening to watch the Wolverines get dominated in a 31-13 loss at USC, which was unranked entering the game.
Underwood certainly wasn’t the main culprit in the loss, though. He passed for 207 yards, 2 touchdowns and an interception, but the Wolverines’ defense did the damage in allowing 490 yards, including 158 rushing yards (plus 14 receiving yards) to USC walk-on King Miller after the Trojans’ top two running backs left with injury.
The Wolverines are now 4-2 and have lost their two biggest games (including at Oklahoma last month) and dropped from No. 15 to out of the AP top 25.
It needs to be said first that Maryland (4-2) has exceeded expectations this year while already matching its win total from last season.
But, Terrapins fans have to be feeling some lament at how close this team is to being 6-0.
For the second week in a row, Maryland collapsed in the fourth quarter at home to squander a lead and lose. Last week, the Terps held a 20-0 lead late in the third quarter against Washington only to lose 24-20. On Saturday, they led Nebraska 31-24 in the fourth quarter only to lose 34-31.
Maryland is a fun team that looks to be on the rise with talented freshman quarterback Malik Washington, but it’s hard not to think about what could have been at the midway point of the season.
Wisconsin
Mexican restaurant in Wisconsin closes location after years of service
FOX POINT, Wis. (WFRV) – A popular Mexican restaurant chain with several Wisconsin locations has announced it will be closing one of its establishments.
After thoughtful consideration, Jose’s Blue Sombrero — which has restaurants in Brookfield, Fox Point, Mequon, Racine, and Wauwatosa — has decided to permanently close its Fox Point location. The restaurant has been closed since October 28, 2025.
“We extend our heartfelt thanks to all who have supported us over the years,” said restaurant staff. “We appreciate your understanding and continued patronage.”
Gift cards will still be honored at any of the restaurant’s remaining locations.
Jose’s Blue Sombrero is known for its vibrant atmosphere, margaritas, and modern take on traditional Mexican dishes.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Nov. 4, 2025
Manuel Franco claims his $768 million Powerball jackpot
Manuel Franco, 24, of West Allis was revealed Tuesday as the winner of the $768.4 million Powerball jackpot.
Mark Hoffman, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Wisconsin Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Nov. 4, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Nov. 4 drawing
11-14-17-50-57, Mega Ball: 06
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Nov. 4 drawing
Midday: 6-0-0
Evening: 1-0-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Nov. 4 drawing
Midday: 3-3-9-8
Evening: 0-5-0-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning All or Nothing numbers from Nov. 4 drawing
Midday: 01-02-04-05-06-07-09-10-11-14-21
Evening: 02-03-05-07-10-11-12-14-16-20-22
Check All or Nothing payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Badger 5 numbers from Nov. 4 drawing
05-07-13-21-29
Check Badger 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning SuperCash numbers from Nov. 4 drawing
02-03-05-09-17-23, Doubler: N
Check SuperCash payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
- Prizes up to $599: Can be claimed at any Wisconsin Lottery retailer.
- Prizes from $600 to $199,999: Can be claimed in person at a Lottery Office. By mail, send the signed ticket and a completed claim form available on the Wisconsin Lottery claim page to: Prizes, PO Box 777 Madison, WI 53774.
- Prizes of $200,000 or more: Must be claimed in person at the Madison Lottery office. Call the Lottery office prior to your visit: 608-261-4916.
Can Wisconsin lottery winners remain anonymous?
No, according to the Wisconsin Lottery. Due to the state’s open records laws, the lottery must, upon request, release the name and city of the winner. Other information about the winner is released only with the winner’s consent.
When are the Wisconsin Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10:00 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Super Cash: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 3 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- Pick 4 (Evening): 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Day): 1:30 p.m. CT daily.
- All or Nothing (Evening): 9 p.m. CT daily.
- Megabucks: 9:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Badger 5: 9:00 p.m. CT daily.
That lucky feeling: Peek at the past week’s winning numbers.
Feeling lucky? WI man wins $768 million Powerball jackpot **
WI Lottery history: Top 10 Powerball and Mega Million jackpots
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Wisconsin editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Wisconsin
Why Wisconsin volleyball’s next two matches could carry big postseason implications
Badgers have two big opportunities to boost RPI at home vs. Minnesota, Indiana
Wisconsin coach Kelly Sheffield comments on getting swept by Nebraska
Wisconsin volleyball became the 12th consecutive team to be swept by top-ranked Nebraska. Here’s what Kelly Sheffield said after the loss.
MADISON – Wisconsin volleyball coach Kelly Sheffield has not shied away from expressing his dislike of RPI.
“There’s a lot of different metrics out there; our sport uses very little of them,” Sheffield said earlier in the season.
But RPI – as Sheffield fully recognizes – underscores how important Wisconsin’s next two matches are as the 11th-ranked Badgers take on No. 22 Minnesota on Nov. 5 and No. 18 Indiana on Nov. 9 at the UW Field House.
Wisconsin is No. 20 in RPI in the Nov. 3 rankings with eight matches remaining in the 2025 schedule. Indiana and Minnesota are tied for No. 12 in RPI.
“Two teams that are above us in the RPI,” Sheffield said. “And you start getting to this time of year that those types of things start mattering a little bit more.”
While RPI obviously is not the only factor that the NCAA selection committee will use when it announces the postseason bracket on Nov. 30, it does suggest the Badgers have some work to do to earn one of the top 16 overall seeds that are required to host the first two rounds.
UW has hosted the first two rounds in all but two seasons during Sheffield’s tenure. The Badgers had to go to Iowa State in 2017, where they knocked off the Cyclones to advance to the regional semifinals. The other time was in 2020, when the NCAA used only one site due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Obviously a big goal is to be hosting that opening weekend of the tournament,” Sheffield said. “It’s a big deal. It’s a big deal to this community and our fan base. … Coaches are always trying to find a way to spin it anyways, but you really want to be home.”
These two matches are not Wisconsin’s last chance to boost its postseason résumé and increase its chances of hosting. No. 9 Purdue will visit the Field House on Nov. 19, and No. 22 Minnesota will play the Badgers again on Nov. 28 in Minneapolis to conclude the 2025 regular season.
But there is not a massive margin for error for a Badgers team with four losses and only one win against teams currently ranked in the AVCA coaches poll. (Georgia Tech, Florida and UCLA were ranked at the time of Wisconsin’s wins over them, but now they are merely receiving votes.)
None of last year’s top 16 overall teams had more than seven losses. Fortunately for Wisconsin, all four losses so far this year have been to teams that remain ranked, No. 1 Nebraska, No. 4 Texas, No. 17 USC and No. 25 Penn State. Texas and Nebraska are a combined 40-2 so far this season.
At the same time, Wisconsin has not been quite as competitive against top-tier opponents since losing 2024 third-team All-American setter Charlie Fuerbringer to a shoulder injury. (Her timeline to return is unclear.)
The Badgers are 1-3 against AVCA-ranked teams since Fuerbringer’s injury versus 3-1 before that. That record comes with the caveat that the most recent ranked loss – No. 1 Nebraska’s sweep at the UW Field House – would have been daunting, even if Fuerbringer had been healthy.
“We’ve just got to continue to evolve and get better, which I think anybody that’s been watching us can see that,” Sheffield said.
Victories over Minnesota and Indiana would likely stand out on Wisconsin’s postseason résumé as quality wins. The Gophers have lost only once against a team that is not at least receiving votes in the coaches poll and boast a quality win over Indiana.
Then Wisconsin will face what Sheffield described as “maybe the best team that Indiana has ever had.” The Hoosiers are tied with UW for third in the Big Ten with a 9-3 conference record and coming off a sweep over Penn State.
“We’ve got two more opportunities in front of us – really good teams – and then it doesn’t stop there,” Sheffield said. “Probably the back half of our schedule is probably a little bit tougher than our first half. And I think we’ll probably learn a whole lot more about ourselves.”
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