Alabama preview: Tide tussle with Badgers in Madison
The Tide’s early season SEC-Big Ten show down brings intrigue. Can DaBoer get the boys to bounce back after a weak showing against USF?
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
The Big Ten meets the mighty SEC on Saturday afternoon when #4 Alabama takes on Wisconsin in an early season matchup between the country’s top two conferences. Both teams enter the contest 2-0 and will be looking to make a statement before they enter conference play. The game is set for noon on Fox at Camp Randall Stadium.
Even though Wisconsin is unbeaten, their two wins have been underwhelming. The season opener saw the Badgers topple Western Michigan, 28-14 while last week they topped South Dakota, 27-13. Coach Luke Fickell’s spread offense has yet to take flight. Former Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is completing 60% of his passes with one touchdown. Senior Chad Mellusi leads the team on the ground, averaging 3.8 yards per carry with three touchdowns. Junior Will Paulding is the team’s leading receiver catching 10 passes for an average of 10.8 yards per catch. Coming into the season, the offensive line, which returned four starters, was seen as the team’s strength. Defensively, the unit has performed well. Safety Hunter Wohler has led the way with 10 tackles.
Mixed reviews define the Tide’s first two games. The opener, a 63-0 shellacking of Western Kentucky, was impressive in every way while last week’s victory over South Florida was a struggle for three quarters before Bama pulled away in the fourth quarter to win 42-16. Jalen Milroe has been impressive, completing 65.7% of his passes for five touchdowns while tallying four scores on the ground. The tailback tandem of Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have accounted for four touchdowns and freshman sensation Ryan Williams leads all receivers with 3 TDs, averaging 34.5 yards per catch.
The offensive line had two starters out against South Florida, and as a result, the unit struggled mightily. Both Elijah Prichett and Kadyn Proctor are expected to be ready for the Badgers. Defensively, the unit is led by linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson. The Bama D has recorded five sacks and two interceptions while giving up one touchdown through two games. Bama’s biggest struggle has been undisciplined play that has resulted in a staggering 20 penalties. Conversely, Wisconsin has played disciplined football, committing just seven penalties of their own.
Camp Randall is a tough place to play, although the Tide is a strong true road team, losing only four games away from Bryant Denny Stadium in the last five years. This is a good early test for the Tide and rookie coach Kalen DeBoer. Line play must improve over last week, and Bama needs to get out of its own way and limit penalties. The hostile environment will prove to make a difference as Van Dyke will find success early against the young Tide secondary. Doing so for four quarters is a different story. Wisconsin is still trying to figure out the up-tempo offense brought by Fickell. Bama’s defense will stiffen while the Milroe-led offense finds its footing early in the second quarter. The Badgers keep it interesting, but in the end, Alabama’s speed and talent will prove to be too much.
#4 Alabama 37
Wisconsin 13
