The Wisconsin Badgers may be 2-0 to start the 2025 season, but they’re about to hit a rough stretch of their schedule with a Week 3 matchup against No. 19 Alabama.
The Badgers enter as heavy underdogs, and to make matters worse, they’re expected to be without starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., who is still sidelined by the injury he suffered in Week 1.
What Happened to Wisconsin QB Billy Edwards Jr.?
Edwards Jr. transferred from Maryland to Wisconsin this offseason after starting 11 games for the Terrapins in 2024. He threw for 2,881 yards, 15 touchdowns, and nine interceptions while earning a PFSN QBi grade of 69.4 (D+), before taking over as the Badgers’ starter this fall.
In Wisconsin’s season opener against Miami (OH), Edwards Jr. suffered a sprained knee. An MRI revealed no structural damage, but he was ruled week-to-week.
While he avoided the worst, the injury kept him out of the Badgers’ Week 2 matchup against Middle Tennessee State, and according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, he is now expected to remain sidelined for Saturday’s game against Alabama.
Sources: Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. is unlikely to play at No. 19 Alabama on Saturday. He’ll travel with the team and plans to warm up, but he faces long odds to play this week. He sprained his knee against Miami University in the opener and is week-to-week.
Sources: Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. is unlikely to play at No. 19 Alabama on Saturday. He’ll travel with the team and plans to warm up, but he faces long odds to play this week. He sprained his knee against Miami University in the opener and is week-to-week. pic.twitter.com/ikOqp8t9mL
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 11, 2025
With the Badgers set to face an SEC powerhouse like Alabama without their starting quarterback, the outlook appears grim for Wisconsin. However, Edwards Jr.’s backup impressed in last week’s win over Middle Tennessee and could give the Badgers a fighting chance to pull off the upset.
Who Is Replacing Billy Edwards Jr. Against Alabama?
With Edwards Jr. expected to remain sidelined, the Badgers will once again turn to true sophomore Danny O’Neil, who also transferred to Wisconsin this offseason. O’Neil spent last season at San Diego State, where he started 11 games and threw for 2,181 yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions, finishing with a PFSN QBi grade of 69.6 (D+).
The current expectation is that backup QB Danny O’Neil will start for Wisconsin vs. Alabama on Saturday, sources tell @chris_hummer and me for @CBSSports.
Starter Billy Edwards has been working back from an injury suffered in Week 1.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 11, 2025
He stepped in for the Badgers in Week 1 after Edwards Jr. went down, helping lead Wisconsin to a win over Miami (OH).
O’Neil then made his first start in Week 2 against Middle Tennessee State, completing 23 of 27 passes for 283 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. He earned a PFSN QBi grade of 79.2 (C+), the second-highest mark of his young career.
While the Badgers will almost certainly turn back to Edwards Jr. once he fully recovers from his injury, O’Neil has proven to be a steady backup in the meantime. He’s guided Wisconsin to back-to-back wins, and with a bit of luck, could give them a chance to hang with the Tide.
With O’Neil slated to start, his backup will be Hunter Simmons, a redshirt senior who transferred to Wisconsin this offseason from Southern Illinois.
Wisconsin travels to Tuscaloosa to face Alabama on Saturday, Sept. 13. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. ET on ABC.
