The real issue is Wisconsin's recruiting has fallen off a cliff, ranking 10th in the Big Ten last year. You're romanticizing an era where you could just out-physical everyone, but that model doesn't work anymore. Alvarez built his legacy on a weaker Big Ten West. The sport evolved and Wisconsin didn't, which is why you're now 4-5 against Purdue since 2015. McIntosh saw a sinking ship and took a promotion. The "soul" you're missing was just a competitive advantage that has completely vanished.