Wisconsin legend Barry Alvarez has joined the conversation surrounding the Badgers’ struggles with 4th-and-short runs out of the shotgun:
Wisconsin legend Barry Alvarez has joined the conversation surrounding the Badgers’ struggles with 4th-and-short runs out of the shotgun.
The latest point of contention came during Wisconsin’s 38-21 loss to No. 11 USC.
Related: ESPN updates Wisconsin football win chances for remaining 2024 games after Week 5 loss to USC
The Badgers led 21-10 entering halftime after playing arguably their most complete half of the season. However, that momentum was quickly lost exiting the halftime break after a muffed punt turned into seven easy points for USC.
But Wisconsin quickly responded with a long drive into USC territory. It still led 21-17 and had the chance to regain control and momentum. While driving, Wisconsin 4th-and-1 from the USC 33 yard-line. The Badgers elected to go for it instead of attempting a 50-yard field goal.
The play: a shotgun run to RB Tawee Walker that went nowhere. USC safety Kamari Ramsey crashed off the edge to stop the play, just as Alabama safety Malachi Moore did two weeks prior.
Here is the play in question, if anybody needs another reminder:
The failed conversion is magnified because it is the second time in as many games that a failed 4th-and-1 can signal the exact moment a game went downhill for Wisconsin.
Here is the game script that followed the failed run: USC touchdown (24-21), Wisconsin punt, USC touchdown (31-21), Wisconsin punt, USC punt, USC pick-six (38-21), Wisconsin turnover on downs, end of game.
It is also magnified because Wisconsin continues to elect to run those short-yardage plays out of the shotgun. Whether that matters for the chance to convert the play, it has a much different aesthetic from what the Badgers used to look like in those situations. That aesthetic, paired with the poor results, has led many former players and program legends to express their displeasure with the approach.
This is where Alvarez comes in. Those at home watching Wisconsin vs. No. 11 USC on CBS may have noticed color analyst Gary Danielson reference Alvarez after the failed 4th-and-1, saying “there might be a guy in Naples that questions this call. An old coach.” “A hall of fame coach,” play-by-play man Brad Nessler continued.
Well, they were right. A short time later, Nessler said on the broadcast that he received a ‘call and a text from Barry Alvarez’ about the play.
Alvarez clarified his contact with Nessler earlier this week on ESPN Madison.
“I did not call, I texted,” Alvarez said. “[The text said] ‘You are correct my friend.'”
‘You are correct’ is in reference to Danielson’s guess that Alvarez may question the philosophy of running out of the shotgun on 4th-and-1.
Alvarez continued to explain his philosophy on short-yardage runs.
“When you watch any NFL game, these are guys that study 12 months a year,” Alvarez explained. “When it’s fourth-and-a-half-a-yard, what do they do? All of the sudden they’re lined up, then they run up under center, take the snap, and run a sneak or hand the ball off. Why do they do that? Because it makes sense. If you got a half a yard, you start closer.”
The comments from the legendary coach only add to the current discussion surrounding the Wisconsin football program. Early losses and on-field struggles have led many notable program alumni to join the conversation about the current regime.
Until Tuesday, the most notable was Braelon Allen — who sent a cryptic post on X referencing his experience with the Badgers in 2023.
Now, that is Barry Alvarez. This specific discussion is not much more than different coaches’ philosophies on short-yardage scenarios. But it is the first significant example of him asking a public question about the current regime.
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