Badgers legend Barry Alvarez questions Wisconsin offense play-calling

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:

BIG fourth-down stop for the #USC defense as Kamari Ramsey comes up with the play and Trojans will take over at their own 33-yard line pic.twitter.com/5Lq33aRn0E

— TrojanSports.com (@USC_Rivals) September 28, 2024

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…