There weren’t many people in the country who thought Wisconsin had the firepower on both sides of the football to do what it did to Michigan on Saturday afternoon. Beating the Wolverines was one thing, embarrassing them was another.

But that’s exactly what the Badgers did at Camp Randall Stadium in the opener, they embarrassed Jim Harbaugh and company on national television. And now the question has an answer in Madison — is Wisconsin for real?

Why yes, yes it is.

Not only were folks like me and you impressed with Wisconsin’s showing on Saturday, current athletic director Barry Alvarez was thrilled with the performance as well. He understands the significance of a huge win like this moving forward.

“It was an impressive game,” Alvarez told UWBadgers.com. “I think we opened a lot of eyes.”

Wisconsin improved to 3-0 on the season with the win and is 1-0 in B1G play. Through those first three games, the Badgers own a top 10 offense and defense in the scoring categories nationally.

That’s a huge reason for the success.

“When you can run it the way we can run it, and when you can throw it and be efficient as we have been — we’re not turning it over — we’re going to be hard to beat,” Alvarez said.

The Badgers have turned the ball over just twice this season and first-year starting quarterback Jack Coan has yet to throw an interception. He’s been much more efficient under center than UW quarterbacks of recent memory.

It doesn’t hurt to have a Heisman caliber running back trudging for over 200 yards against a sound Michigan defense, either.

Wisconsin made a statement on Saturday in front of a home crowd. It looks like a team capable of winning a B1G title and competing for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

The Badgers put everyone on notice.