You know what, when legendary Wisconsin Badgers head coach Barry Alvarez speaks up, it's time to listen. Alvarez is a hero to many in Madison, as he was a brilliant head coach for the Badgers from 1990-2005, then on an interim basis in 2012 and 2014.
It goes without saying, but Coach Alvarez hasn't loved what he's seen out of Wisconsin this year, as the Badgers are 5-4 on the season, with No. 1 Oregon making its way to town this weekend. The Ducks are huge favorites for this game. Alvarez doesn't care about that at all.
While hopping on with ESPN Milwaukee for a radio spot, Alvarez was asked about what kind of a message he'd send to this team as they get ready to try and record one of the biggest upsets of the year. As you might have been able to guess, Alvarez delivered a passionate speech for the guys in the locker room.
What would Barry Alvarez's message to @BadgerFootball be before taking on #1 Oregon?
— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) November 12, 2024
Badgers fans, you NEED to hear this! 😤🏈 pic.twitter.com/uBmGM1AAS8
“I’d really like to see the team show up and really compete hard and get after Oregon,” Alvarez said. “You’re playing the No. 1 team in the country. Instead of showing up and feeling your way around, get after the No. 1 team in the country and show fans and the Wisconsin people that there’s some fight in this offense and that you’re ready to compete and compete at the highest level.”
How will the Badgers respond to this? We hope with plenty of fire and passion being displayed from the second the opening kickoff arrives. This game is going to be on national television, with NBC ready to broadcast things in a primetime slot.
Alvarez is going to be watching closely and so will countless other people across the planet. The offense needs to get going early, with Braedyn Locke hoping to bounce back in the best way possible for Luke Fickell and his staff.
Dan Lanning and the Ducks will provide a ton of issues for the Badgers on both sides of the ball, but Fickell needs to have his guys ready to go. This speech from Alvarez needs to be played multiple times for Wisconsin players to see. Yes, Oregon is the best team in the country, but the Badgers should fear no one. If they dig down deep, Alvarez believes they can pull off a stunner.