Top 20 Alvarez Games
The following list appeared right around the time that Barry Alvarez coached his final game with the Badgers. At the time, the list was 17 games long, but I updated it to include three more to make it an even 20 games.
- Wisconsin over UCLA (1994)-Badgers beat UCLA for their first Rose Bowl victory. Brent Moss runs for 158, Darrel Bevell makes improbable TD run, and Wayne Cook runs out the clock deep in Badger territory in front of about 75,000 Badger fans.
- Wisconsin over UCLA (1999)-Wisconsin beats UCLA as Ron Dayne runs for 246 yards and Wendell Bryant sacks Cade McNown to seal the win.
- Wisconsin over Iowa (1999)-Dayne sets rushing record and Badgers clinch another Rose Bowl berth. Dayne’s name put on Camp Randall façade.
- Wisconsin over Auburn (2006)-In Alvarez’s last game, the Badgers upset Auburn 24-10 in the Capital One Bowl, dominating the Tigers to the tune of 548-236 in total yards.
- Wisconsin over Stanford (2000)-Alvarez claims his third Rose Bowl win over the Cardinal. The Badgers weren't on their A-game, but Dayne takes home his 2nd MVP with a 200 yard performance.
- Wisconsin over Michigan State (1993)-Badger rout MSU in Tokyo to secure first Alvarez Rose Bowl berth. Brent Moss and Terrell Fletcher run wild.
- Wisconsin over Penn State (1998)-Wisconsin clinches Rose Bowl berth at Camp Randall against #14 Nittany Lions. Nick Davis returns punt for TD.
- Wisconsin over Michigan (1993)-Badgers beat #24 Michigan to put them in command of Big Ten race. Badgers stuff key 4th down play late in the game and run out the last 5 minutes before a delirious crowd.
- Wisconsin over Ohio State (1999)-Freshman Brooks Bollinger leads team to 42 straight points in the Shoe to stun 12th ranked OSU. Dayne runs for 151 and 4 TDs.
- Wisconsin over Purdue (1998)-Drew Brees passes 83 times but Jamar Fletcher returns one for TD in front of a national audience before a rowdy night crowd at Camp Randall. This was also the birthplace of “Jump Around.”
- Wisconsin over Ohio State (2003)-Badgers beat #3 OSU, ending their 19 game winning streak. Matt Schabert throws to Lee Evans win game under the lights at rain soaked Camp Randall.
- Wisconsin over Colorado (2002)-Mike Allen kicks FG in OT to win Alamo Bowl after Bollinger leads 4th quarter comeback to tie it.
- Wisconsin over Penn State (1995)-Badgers upset #6 PSU in Happy Valley, breaking the PSU 20-game home winning streak, longest in the country at the time.
- Wisconsin over Minnesota (2005)-Trailing by 10 with just 3 minutes to play, the Badgers launch improbable rally, capped off by muffed/blocked punt in final seconds to stun Gophers and keep the axe.
- Wisconsin over Ohio State (1992)-First big win for Alvarez as they knock off #12 OSU. Badgers score 17 straight in the second half.
- Wisconsin over Michigan (1994)-Wisconsin beats Michigan in Ann Arbor for the first time since 1962. Badger defense forces 4 turnovers.
- Wisconsin over Purdue (2004)-Scott Starks returns a fumble for TD to steal a victory in West Lafayette, and sending #5 Purdue and Heisman candidate Orton into a tailspin, while putting Wisconsin in command of Big Ten race.
- Wisconsin over MSU (1999)-Alvarez becomes winningest coach in UW history with dominating win over #11 MSU. Dayne runs for 214 against #1 rated run defense while Fletcher shuts down Plaxico Burress with 2 interceptions.
- Wisconsin over Northwestern (1997)-Badgers get revenge from “Take a Knee” game the prior year by beating NW on a final second Matt Davenport FG. Badgers get an improbable fumble recovery and Mike Samuel leads them down the field in the final minutes.
- Wisconsin ties Ohio State (1993)-The Badgers dominate much of the game, but carry just a touchdown lead into the 4th quarter. A Joey Galloway touchdown ties the score and Rick Schnetzky’s attempt at a game winning field goal is blocked. Buckeyes celebrate as if it were a win.
Honorable Mention: 1995 Hall of Fame Bowl, 1991 vs. Minnesota, 1996 Copper Bowl, 2000 Sun Bowl, 2000 vs. Oregon, 2004 vs. Ohio State