As Wisconsin Badgers head coach Luke Fickell enters his second season, there is optimism for improvement after a disappointing 7-6 record last year. Fickell emphasizes leadership as crucial for overcoming last season's shortcomings, noting that many players failed to respond adequately to adversity. Analysts predict that the team has the potential to make significant strides in 2024, aided by a comprehensive assessment of the squad and strategic recruiting efforts. The Badgers also welcome new Big Ten members, including Oregon and USC, which has excited Fickell about the conference's growth. Concurrently, USF football, under coach Alex Golesh, is also experiencing rising optimism after a competitive season, with a projected fourth-place finish in the American Athletic Conference. Both teams are navigating their respective challenges with renewed hope for success this upcoming season.