Any list of key figures in the Big Ten title race should include Phil Knight and Nike.
Knight doesn’t score touchdowns, but he writes big checks that have helped No. 1 Oregon win its first 10 games this season heading into a game against the University of Wisconsin football team Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium.
That shouldn’t be taken as any sort of shade being thrown at the Ducks. Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens took offense to suggestions that the Ducks’ highly rated 2024 recruiting class and offseason transfer portal wins heading into their first season in the Big Ten were the result of the school buying talent.
“It’s a lot more than NIL,” Mullens told The Oregonian last summer.
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So let me say this: Dan Lanning is an excellent coach, and it can’t be easy to manage egos and money and still build chemistry on a roster in this era headlined by the transfer portal and name, image and likeness.
But it can’t hurt to have Knight's deep wallet on your side. We soon will find out if it will be a mismatch on the field when the Ducks (10-0, 7-0) take on the reeling Badgers (5-4, 3-3). What we already know is that it’s a mismatch when comparing checkbooks.
This week seemed like as good a time as any to reach out to one of Wisconsin’s major donors to see what he thought of the school’s place in the NIL world.
One word can sum up how Ted Kellner is feeling on that front: frustrated.
“It’s difficult when other universities have much larger bank accounts, if you will, to pay student-athletes,” Kellner said.
Kellner said he has no issue with players being paid — “I’m a believer in capitalism and free markets,” he said — but has an issue with a system that he believes is broken. He added that he feels for Wisconsin athletic director Chris McIntosh, along with coaches such as Luke Fickell and Greg Gard.
“We have free agency with no salary cap, which is a terrible world to navigate,” Kellner said. “Very difficult.
“It’s a difficult market with not having any kind of contract, students can transfer every year to the highest bidder. It’s difficult to compete in that environment when other bigger schools with maybe a larger donor base can pay more.”
Wisconsin has a large alumni base, and there are plenty of wealthy people in that group who have been generous with their money.
But there isn't anyone with the type of money Knight has — the 86-year-old’s estimated net worth is believed to be around $40 billion — in that crowd.
“We have a lot of alumni, but I don’t think we have nearly as many high net worth people that are tethered and love athletics like I do and others like myself,” Kellner said. “So that’s what I mean by the competitive landscape.”
Kellner is hopeful upcoming changes to the NCAA landscape will help level the playing field.
A $2.78 billion settlement in antitrust cases filed by former athletes against the NCAA and five conferences will allow athletic departments to distribute money to athletes. While there are still plenty of details to be ironed out, an annual pool of $22 million per school will be available to athletes starting next year if the settlement gets final approval from a federal judge in April.
As for Saturday, the Ducks are a 14-point favorite over the Badgers. Fickell listed Oregon’s depth, talent and quarterback — it went from one Heisman contender (Bo Nix) to another (Oklahoma transfer Dillon Gabriel) at that spot — in that order as reasons the Ducks have been able to acclimate so easily to the Big Ten.
“That’s a great place to start, no matter what league and what level that you’re going to be at,” Fickell said. “And it might be the reverse order from what I said.”
Left unsaid by Fickell was that Wisconsin still is looking for that type of quarterback. Not having a Knight in shining armor to foot the bill doesn’t make that search any easier.
Fans see a Wisconsin football team that quit and a program in reverse after loss at Iowa
Vanilla defense gets gashed
The Defensive game plan was beyond terrible. We ran a four man front 85% of the snaps against a running team with a running quarterback and got gashed. It puts your ends on an island and leaves creases for one of the best backs in the country. This is basic stuff. I played…
— Pete Piranio (@PetePiranio) November 3, 2024
QB1 vs. No. 1?
Serious question: could Mettauer actually be any worse at this point?
— Chris Cesar (@Cesar_Chris) November 3, 2024
It's petty and effective
I think Kirk Ferentz is offended that we fired Paul Chryst to "modernize" our offense and decided to shove the ball down the field to rub our faces in what we gave up on.
— Craig Smith (@smithcp1) November 3, 2024
BADgers football is struggling
Thank you, Chris McIntosh! What an exciting new era of Badger football!
— Más Tequila (@JoRy_MaMa) November 3, 2024
A program-defining loss?
Going to be honest - I saw a team that quit tonight. And a coaching staff that wasn't far behind (cough Longo cough).
— Nick P Bassill (@NickPBassill) November 3, 2024
It's looking more and more that way
Absolutely pathetic performance. I can't think of one positive to take away from this one. An absolute failure from the coaching staff on down. I don't see another win on the schedule sadly.
— Scott L (@CCSO228) November 3, 2024
Pour me something tall and strong
— Bill Pfeiffer (@billt209) November 3, 2024
Really good perspective
This was probably the loss that most exposed the team as undisciplined and lacking physicality. That's the part that stings the most. Over the last 35 ish years this team may not have had the best talent, but they were mostly tough and disciplined.
— Slim Hickman (@SlimHickman) November 3, 2024
Just. Run. Power.
Opposing QB goes 7-10 and they still score 42 points…
— Steven Stewart (@stew_stev) November 3, 2024
I questioned earlier why I do this, and it's to pay the bills
I honestly couldn't watch it. First time I've ever really just walked away. It was like a bad horror film. Better just to avoid.
— Damon Heim (@DamonHeim) November 3, 2024
Said this about my favorite team earlier, too
One of many games over the last 5 years which makes me question why I use my precious time to watch them. Incredibly bad.
— Michael Burger (@Burgscom) November 3, 2024
Maybe too kind
My 1-3 prediction over the last 4 is holding strong‼️‼️
— WISPORTSGUY (@StarkE98) November 3, 2024
Where's the joy in that game, though?
Um….not close to being best team ever. What’s sad is that this team doesn’t look like they are having fun or even like each other…something is off…maybe it’s the coaches that don’t like each other but they aren’t good right now. I want Jimmy Leonhard back…
— aarondentz (@aarondentz) November 3, 2024
But likely to still get a bowl game
Not one thing worked. Horrible job by everyone, starting with Fickell. Iowa just did whatever they wanted and we put up no resistance at all. Streak of winning seasons is dead once Minnesota keeps the axe.
— Russ Evansen (@waunaruss) November 3, 2024
Million dollar mistake?
Big step backwards for the run Defense. Longo hasn’t developed a QB after cleaning house to bring in his guys.
— Fred Melius MD (@fmelius) November 3, 2024
This team waved the white flag in the third quarter and that’s on the coaching staff!
Indictment on toughness
This team is SOFT! This game proved it.
— Marty Steindl (@M_Steindl) November 3, 2024
The offense and OC is real bad! No creativity, no screens, bubbles, jet sweep—-nothing to make the D cover the whole field.
QB play is a problem
Cannot run the ball & Cannot stop the run!
Poor tackling all game.
Overall—-not prepared!
Not Mr. Positivity!
Beyond embarrassing…. And I’m the positive guy!
— Rob F (@RobFinley27) November 3, 2024
Fire extinguished
Locke is a backup (at best), Longo's play calling is just puzzling, Tawee Walker is at his best running between the tackles, not trying to bouncing outside, defense out of position all night, and when they were, they couldn't tackle. No fire, no emotion, they appeared to quit.
— Shawn Quixote (@nissensa) November 3, 2024
What a fall for Grinch
Does Fickell have any idea how to evaluate coaches? There’s not a single position, outside of punter and maybe OL (low bar), that’s improved on this team. Grinch has destroyed the safeties, passive, constantly running away from the play, it’s like watching USC’s defense
— MountainBadger (@mtnbdgr) November 3, 2024
Chez stepped away but Cade should get snaps, probably
What happened to Yaccameli? And where is Chez Melusi? Seriously is he OK? Why hasn’t he been interviewed by the media or even seen in weeks? Not allowed to speak publicly?
— StreamingRadarDaily🖥 | 5 Star Marketing Advisors (@badgerhugh) November 3, 2024
The past two seasons have had far lower points
Have we hit rock bottom yet ?? (not likely either Oregon coming to town) how much longer are we going to continue to dig? What is a realistic solution to get back to what we have known for 30 years of WI football?
— adamlj (@adamlj) November 3, 2024
Perspective is key
The game looked so easy for Iowa. It just wasn’t really competitive. The crazy thing though - if Wisconsin had IU’s schedule, maybe they would be 8-1 or 9-0.
— Bill_Woj (@Slough_Creek) November 3, 2024
Boy, do I have some news for you!
Total embarrassment. Shameful performance in a “rivalry” game. Defense was pathetic. O-line is still in disarray. Locke showing why he didn’t win the starting role. Heading for another meaningless bowl game. Basketball better be better.#OnWisconsin
— Mark Larson (@MLarsonSports) November 3, 2024
They have millions of reasons to wait
How many years are they gonna wait for “fickell to get his guys” this is ridiculous. PC would never lose to a rival like this.
— John Barry (@The_real_JB__) November 3, 2024
From bully ball to bullied
I remember when we used to be the ones who pushed others around. Not anymore, and I don't know if we'll win one more this year to be bowl eligible.
— Brian Lamboley (@brianlamboley) November 3, 2024
Big step back tonight
Been all in on Luke and he has one more year after this tough schedule, but this felt like PC loss to IL at home or Jimmy against MN. Total embarrassment and feels like program going backwards. No QB whatsoever, Longo play calls are so conservative. Not feeling great on LF now
— ChazB (@chazb33) November 3, 2024
Talent is improving, just not enough of it
After nearly 2 yrs., what areas has Fickell shown clear, consistent improvement? Does anyone around the program believe it's on the right track?
— Daniel Konar (@daniel_konar) November 3, 2024
A B1G decision, some may say
What’s the plan with the offense going forward starting this offseason? It’s a make or break decision for Fickell
— Minny Badgers (@brettdahl45) November 3, 2024
No alibi, either
U-G-L-Y
— Kyle Thompson (@KyleKringus) November 3, 2024
Big changes needed. Idk where to even start but something’s gotta change.
Money well saved
My season tickets will not be renewed
— David Mazur (@mazeman78) November 3, 2024
