WATCH: Luke Fickell gives final thoughts before Badgers Week 1 matchup vs. Western Michigan

The preparation is complete. It’s time for the Wisconsin Badgers to begin their 2024 football season. Kickoff for Week 1 against Western Michigan is now less than 90 minutes away.

Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell recently caught up with Mark Tauscher on the field at Camp Randall Stadium before warmups for the season opener. He gave his final thoughts before the contest, including his nerves before the matchup and, notably, what he’s looking for from starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.

“I want consistency,” Fickell said about his new starter. “I want to see him play with some calm, play with a great demeanor, regardless of what happens, the up and down. But take what they give you. I think sometimes you come out here and a guy is trying to prove himself right away. He’s proven himself to us. He’s proven himself to this team. And you want him to kind of just let the thing roll.”

Van Dyke will be a central story to the Badgers’ season debut, a game that is unlikely to be very competitive. Western Michigan is fresh off a 4-8 2023 season and enters 2024 ranked No. 110 in the nation by SP+. Wisconsin, meanwhile, looks to be a fringe top-30 team with the chance for a steep rise if its offense can click.

Before the matchup begins and offseason questions are answered, here are Fickell’s full final thoughts:

Wisconsin and Western Michigan will kick off at 8 p.m. CT, 9 p.m. ET, broadcast on Fox Sports 1. All eyes will be on what’s changed entering a pivotal year two of the Luke Fickell era.

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