It's The Barry Alvarez Show after the Wisconsin Badgers’ big win over Illinois!

Join Barry Alvarez, Derek Engler, and Jesse Nelson as they break down the bounce-back victory, the growing confidence in Luke Fickell’s team, and how Wisconsin can recapture the Axe this Saturday against Minnesota

Tonight’s Topics:

🔴 What changed in the win over Illinois? Offense, toughness, and execution

🔴 How this team can finish strong, regain the Axe, and have positive momentum heading into 2026

🔴 Luke Fickell’s leadership and the culture shift taking hold

🔴 What the victory means for recruiting, alumni, and the future of Wisconsin Football

🎙 Presented by NUTRL Vodka Seltzer

After a tough 31–7 loss to #2 Indiana, the Badgers look to bounce back, and The Barry Alvarez Show LIVE from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Middleton breaks it all down!

Barry Alvarez joins Derek Engler, Tarek Saleh, and Jesse Nelson to discuss what went wrong in Bloomington, what needs to change before Illinois comes to town, and the emotions surrounding Bret Bielema’s return to Madison.

Plus:

🏈 What the Badgers can learn from the Indiana game

🔴 How Wisconsin can regroup heading into Senior Day at Camp Randall

👀 The importance of in-state recruiting — and how Jake Ferguson’s legacy ties into the Badgers’ future

🎙️ Sponsored by NUTRL Vodka Seltzer

The Coach himself goes LIVE with ESPN Madison on The Barry Alvarez Show, reacting to the Badgers' BIG win vs No. 23 Washington! They also get into AD Chris McIntosh's announcement that Fickell will return in 2026, tackle in-state recruiting, debate whether or not this program needs a rebuild, and look ahead to Wisconsin's matchup with the No. 2 Indiana Hoosiers this weekend!

Don’t miss this candid, must-watch conversation with the man who changed Wisconsin Football forever, only on ESPN Madison’s YouTube channel.

🎙️ Sponsored by NUTRL Vodka Seltzer

LIVE from the Hard Rock Casino Rockford, the Barry Alvarez Show resets after the Badgers bye week. Barry Alvarez, Derek Engler, Tarek Saleh, and Jesse Nelson break down how the Badgers can still have a successful season the rest of the way, the tumultuous QB situation, and much more!

Coach Alvarez also takes this week and the extended show to answer all of your questions!

🎙️ Sponsored by NUTRL Vodka Seltzer

After an inspired effort against Oregon that resulted in a 21-7 loss, Barry and the gang give their thoughts — Does Luke Fickell still have locker room? Should the Badgers continue to roll out Hunter Simmons at QB? And much more!

Plus, the crew reacts to FS1’s Tim Brando calling out “Wisconsin podcasters” for criticizing Fickell’s recruiting strategy. Is the criticism fair, or is the Badgers’ staff being unfairly targeted? Barry gives his honest perspective on the state of Wisconsin football, recruiting in the Fickell era, and what needs to change moving forward.

Alongside Rose Bowl Champions Derek Engler and Tarek Saleh, with Jesse Nelson keeping everyone in check, it's The Barry Alvarez Show LIVE from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in Middleton!

Legendary former Wisconsin Badgers football coach Barry Alvarez discusses current Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh penning a letter of support for head coach Luke Fickell despite the program reaching historic lows. What does the man responsible for building this program up to respectability think? Former Badgers running back Terrell Fletcher also joins during the special two hour show. Alongside Rose Bowl champions Derek Engler and Tarek Saleh with Jesse Nelson, it's the Barry Alvarez Show LIVE from the Hard Rock Casino Rockford!

Legendary former Wisconsin Badgers football coach Barry Alvarez discusses UW's atrocious performance in their 37-0 loss against Iowa after making this game a focal point of their offseason... Is Luke Fickell officially on borrowed time now? Alongside Rose Bowl champions Derek Engler and Tarek Saleh with Jesse Nelson, it's the Barry Alvarez Show LIVE from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Legendary former Wisconsin Badgers football coach Barry Alvarez discusses Luke Fickell's controversial decisions to NOT use his timeouts at the end of the half and the end of the game, which had a lot of fans wondering, did Coach Fickell quit on his team? He also talks the fight Wisconsin put up against #20 Michigan in their 24-10 loss and look ahead to the Badgers Heartland Trophy matchup against Iowa this weekend. Alongside Rose Bowl champions Derek Engler and Tarek Saleh with Jesse Nelson, it's the Barry Alvarez Show LIVE from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Legendary former Wisconsin Badgers football coach Barry Alvarez discusses the passionate, visceral reaction to his comments last week about Wisconsin fans being spoiled rotten after the booing against Maryland. Has Coach changed his tune? He also discusses the Badgers Big Noon matchup with #20 Michigan this weekend alongside Rose Bowl champions Derek Engler and Tarek Saleh and Jim Rutledge in for Jesse Nelson LIVE from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.

Legendary former Wisconsin Badgers football coach Barry Alvarez discusses his biggest takeaways from Wisconsin's embarrassing 27-10 loss to the Maryland Terrapins and ponders if this is rock bottom for the program he once built. How do the Badgers move forward? Is Fickell on borrowed time? Barry answers these questions and much more as he's joined by Rose Bowl champion's Derek Engler and Tarek Saleh alongside Jesse Nelson LIVE from Ruth's Chris Steakhouse.