Greg McElroy makes pick on Alabama vs. Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers are heading to Tuscaloosa this Saturday for an intriguing non-conference game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. It’s a game that both head coaches, Luke Fickell and Kalen DeBoer, know could set their team trending in the right direction moving forward in 2025.

Alabama is a fairly heavy favorite going into the game. Per BetMGM Sportsbook, No. 19 Alabama opened as a 21-point home favorite over Wisconsin. Meanwhile, the point total is set at 47.5. So the expectation from Vegas is that this is going to be a low-scoring, if not close, game.

Ahead of the game, Greg McElroy discussed the game on his show, Always College Football. There, the former Alabama quarterback-turned-analyst predicted that the Crimson Tide are going to beat the Badgers. However, he admitted that it could be closer earlier in the game.

“The betting trend is that Alabama is 23-8-1 against the spread as a home favorite since 2020,” McElroy said. “I like Alabama, but I would not be surprised if it’s a bit of a dog fight there in the first half before Alabama starts to get a little more comfortable as the game goes along. I like Wisconsin. I think they’re a proud program, I think they’ll play hard. I just think Alabama has a little too much juice and a little bit more talent at important spots in this matchup.”

The major question going into this game revolves around the health of Wisconsin quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. He’s been out since injuring his knee in Week 1. He’s currently considered day-to-day. However, it was reported on Thursday that he’s unlikely to play against Alabama. Still, he’ll make the trip and warm up with the team on Saturday. If he can’t go, Danny O’Neil will continue to fill in for Edwards Jr.

For DeBoer, this game is going to go a long way in getting his tenure back on track at Alabama. After losing to Florida State in Week 1, tensions rose from the fanbase as he felt his seat get a little hotter in year two.

Wisconsin and Alabama are scheduled for a 12:00 p.m. ET kickoff on Saturday, September 13th. Only time will tell if McElroy is right that it’s time for the Crimson Tide to get a big non-conference win.

Luke Fickell admits Wisconsin players have Alabama game circled

Alabama went to Wisconsin last season and took it to the Badgers, beating them 42-10. Now, Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell admitted that this is a game that the Badgers have had circled in return.

“Well, this is one of those (games) that I know guys have circled,” Fickell said. “For many reasons. We know how that game went last year but also for the idea of like ‘look, there’s nothing more you want to do as a competitor than be in the biggest games and biggest competition out there’. To go and Alabama and play in front of that crowd and play in front of SEC country; there’s not a guy within our program that doesn’t say that’s one of the reasons why they’re here.”