No. 4 Alabama hits the road for the first time in coach Kalen DeBoer's tenure as the Crimson Tide travel to WisconsinSaturday for one of Week 3's marquee games. It's Bama's first trip to Madison, Wisconsin since 1928 and the Tide's first road game against a Big Ten team since winning at Penn State in 2011.
The contest marks the first time since 1971 that Wisconsin has hosted an SEC opponent, and Camp Randall Stadium should be juiced as the Badgers seek a breakthrough moment under second-year coach Luke Fickell. Not long ago both coaches in this matchup were leading mid-major programs and struggling for respect on the national stage. Now, they are in the spotlight against each other.
Fickell and DeBoer are charged with leading two major college football brands, and this showdown will be a litmus test for their respective programs. Both teams face daunting schedules for the rest of the year. The Badgers still have tough tests against top-15 foes USC, Penn State and Oregon ahead, while Alabama must still play top-15 teams Georgia, Tennessee and Missouri.
Given the challenges league play will present for both teams, a Week 3 nonconference victory would be huge for building momentum. Both squads were far from perfect in Week 2, but both emerged with wins against overmatched opponents to enter the matchup 2-0.
Alabama vs. Wisconsin: Need to know
Cleaning up the offense: Alabama's offensive line committed nine penalties in the Crimson Tide's 42-16 win over South Florida last week. The unit's struggles also extended to run blocking for much of the game before Bama turned it on late for three touchdowns in the final six minutes. If DeBoer can use the mistake-filled performance to motivate his team, then it could lead to an inspired showing against Wisconsin. But if the the South Florida game was emblematic of what's to come, then the Crimson Tide will struggle on the road against a Big Ten defense. The status of sophom*ore left tackle Kadyn Proctor also looms large for Alabama after he missed the season's first two games due to a shoulder injury.
Wisconsin needs a spark: Wisconsin's offense also has plenty to improve upon entering Week 3. The Badgers rank No. 101 nationally in average yards per play at 5.2. They mustered just five plays of 20 or more yards over their first two contests. Last week, the Badgers alternated between scores and punts on every possession during a 27-13 win over South Dakota. While second-year coordinator Phil Longo likely hasn't reached deep into the playbook yet, it's clear the Badgers are still finding their way with Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke at quarterback.
Rising stars on the sideline:Rewind just three years and both DeBoer and Fickell were star coaches in the Group of Five ranks. DeBoer led Fresno State to a 10-3 record that year with a near-upset of No. 11 Oregon and a road victory over No. 13 UCLA. He got his first Power Five opportunity at Washington in 2022 and nailed it with a 25-3 mark over two seasons. But now DeBoer is replacing the legendary Nick Saban at Alabama and must prove himself all over again. Meanwhile, Fickell took Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff in 2021 as the Bearcats capped off a two-year run of unbeaten regular seasons highlighted by back-to-back AAC titles. Fickell went 7-6 in Year 1 at Wisconsin last season and faces a tough schedule as he seeks more progress in 2024. Both men have the chops to be coaching stars for years to come. But the 2024 season is imperative for each.
How to watch Alabama vs. Wisconsin live
Date: Saturday, September 14|Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Camp Randall Stadium -- Madison, Wisconsin
TV:Fox|Live stream: fubo(Try for free)
Alabama vs. Wisconsin prediction, picks
Wisconsin has been underwhelming offensively through two games with Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke at quarterback. Alabama could barely get out of its own way in Week 2 against South Florida as an endless cascade of penalties hampered the Crimson Tide's attack. Conversely, Alabama was solid defensively against a potent South Florida attack, holding the Bulls to 2 of 18 on third-down conversion attempts. Containing Bama quarterback Jalen Milroe will be challenging for the Badgers. But even if he gets loose, it's hard to imagine both teams scoring enough to surpass this point total.Pick: Under 51.5
 Dennis Dodd |  Tom Fornelli |  Chip Patterson |  Shehan Jeyarajah |  David Cobb |  Jerry Palm |  Brandon Marcello |  Richard Johnson | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bama -15.5 | Wisconsin | Alabama | Alabama | Alabama | Wisconsin | Alabama | Wisconsin | Wisconsin |
| SU | Alabama | Alabama | Alabama | Alabama | Alabama | Alabama | Alabama | Wisconsin |
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