Alabama football vs Wisconsin: Score prediction, scouting report

anna snyder, tuscaloosa news

Thu, Sep 12, 2024, 11:08 AM·4 min read

Alabama football takes its first road trip of the season to face its first Power Four opponent in Wisconsin.

No. 4 Alabama is set to face the Badgers at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday on Fox at Camp Randall Stadium. It marks the third meeting between the two programs and the first time Alabama is playing at Camp Randall Stadium in nearly 100 years.

The Crimson Tide remained in the No. 4 spot in both coaches polls this week following its 42-16 win over South Florida on Saturday. It was Alabama's first win on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Wisconsin is 2-0 to start the season with wins over Western Michigan (28-14) and South Dakota (27-13).

Here's our scouting report of the Badgers, how they stack up with the Crimson Tide and a score prediction for the game.

Wisconsin players to know

Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is in his first season with the Badgers after transferring from Miami. The former ACC Rookie of the Year has gone 38-for-63 passing through the Badgers' first two games of the season for 406 yards and one touchdown while rushing for an additional 17 yards on 14 carries for one touchdown.

Chez Mellusi leads the Badgers backfield with 134 yards rushing on 35 carries for three touchdowns. Will Pauling is Van Dyke's leading receiver with 10 receptions for 108 yards while CJ Williams scored the Badgers' lone touchdown reception of the season, a 50-yard touchdown reception vs. South Dakota.

Defensively, safety Hunter Wohler leads the team with 15 total tackles and two pass break-ups. He is followed by linebacker Jaheim Thomas with 12 total tackles along with linebacker Jake Chaney who was eight total tackles and one quarterback hurry on the season.

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History of Alabama football vs Wisconsin

Saturday will mark the third meeting between Alabama and Wisconsin with the all-time series tied at 1-1. It will also mark Alabama's first time playing in Camp Randall Stadium in nearly 100 years.

The last meeting between the two programs came on Sept. 5, 2015, in Arlington, Texas, with Alabama winning 35-17. Wisconsin won the first contest 15-0 nearly a century ago in 1928.

This year will be Kalen DeBoer's first time facing Wisconsin in his head coaching career. It will be Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell's second time facing the Crimson Tide but first at Wisconsin. He's 0-1 all-time vs. Alabama with the loss coming in 2021 at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl while he was coaching at Cincinnati.

There's some overlap between the Crimson Tide coaching staff and Wisconsin. Offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan previously coached at Camp Randall Stadium when he was on staff at Indiana and even played there a few times when he was a quarterback at Michigan. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack also has familiarity with Fickell through his father, Dave Wommack. Alabama co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler also spent time on staff at Wisconsin under Fickell last season before his time with the Crimson Tide.

How Alabama-Wisconsin stack up on offense

3rd down conversion percentage:

Alabama: 50.0% (33rd nationally)

Wisconsin: 56.7% (12th)

Passing offense:

Alabama: 232.5 (62nd)

Wisconsin: 203.0 (89th)

Red zone offense:

Alabama: 77.8% (95th)

Wisconsin: 80% (tied for 88th)

Fewest sacks allowed:

Alabama: 2.00 (82nd)

Wisconsin: 1.50 (tied for 59th)

Scoring offense:

Alabama: 52.5 (7th)

Wisconsin: 27.5 (87th)

How Alabama-Wisconsin stack up on defense

Third-down defense:

Alabama: 14.3% (3rd)

Wisconsin: 23.8% (20th)

Pass yards allowed:

Alabama: 103.0 (9th)

Wisconsin: 127.5 (22nd)

Red zone defense:

Alabama: 66.7% (25th)

Wisconsin: 1.00 (tied for 86th)

Rushing defense:

Alabama: 124.0 (69th)

Wisconsin: 121.5 (66th)

Sacks:

Alabama: 2.50 (tied for 38th)

Wisconsin: 2.00 (tied for 57th)

Scoring defense:

Alabama: 8.00 (17th)

Wisconsin: 13.50 (tied for 40th)