Preview: Wisconsin at No. 19 Alabama

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Round one. Alabama. The Crimson Tide came into Camp Randall Stadium and ran away with a 42-10 win over Wisconsin in last season’s meeting. The Badgers (2-0) are hoping round two with the 19th-ranked Tide (1-1) plays out differently. Beginning the gauntlet of their 2025 schedule, which many believe is the toughest slate in the country, UW is eager to quiet the outside noise.

“I know that all the guys, the whole team really, we have a chip on our shoulder,” said sophomore quarterback Danny O’Neil. “We hear the noise. We try and block it out as much as we can, but we hear it. Being able to go out there and prove ourselves right. We work just as hard as anyone else, if not harder. We’re excited for our opportunity to show that.”

GAME INFO

Time: 11 a.m. CT

Where: Bryant Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

TV: ABC

TV CREW: Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer, Katie George

Live Stream: WATCH ESPN

Series History: Alabama leads 2-1

Previous Meeting: Alabama won 42-10 in 2014

Line: Alabama – 20.5

NUMBERS TO KNOW

2: Wisconsin is just one of two Big Ten teams (Penn State) to own a regular-season victory over Alabama. The Badgers defeated the Crimson Tide 15-0 in 1928.

4: Saturday is the fourth-ever meeting between the two programs. Alabama has won the last two matchups in 2015 and 2024.

7: Saturday marks just the seventh time the Badgers have faced an SEC opponent in the regular season in the modern era.

13: The Crimson Tide has won 13 consecutive home games.

85: UA has won 85 consecutive home games against unranked opponents.

1972: The last time UW played a true road game versus an SEC opponent came back in 1972 (LSU).

WHAT TO WATCH

Can Wisconsin Establish a Run Game?

Wisconsin’s rushing numbers, on paper, don’t appear that bad. However, context is important. The Badgers have had to resort to getting their wide receivers a lot of touches on the perimeter as they’ve been unable to control the line of scrimmage in their first two games. Against two inferior opponents, UW’s top three tailbacks have combined for 213 yards on 47 carries. Opponents have also made 13.5 tackles for loss.

“We have to keep getting better,” senior offensive tackle Riley Mahlman said. “I think a little bit of it has to do with chemistry. I think a little bit of it is inexperience.”

Ryan Williams

Wisconsin will face arguably the top two players in college football this season. There’s Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, but first up, Alabama star wide receiver Ryan Williams. As a true freshman, Williams caught 48 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns, including 78 yards and a score versus the Badgers in 2024.

“He definitely came in with that veteran maturity, like he was a third or fourth-year guy,” said senior cornerback Ricardo Hallman. “He’s a good player. Has really, really good speed, good ball skills, adapts to the ball really well, and attacks the ball. He’s a complete receiver.”

Will Jake Renfro Be Available?

One injury Wisconsin can’t overcome is starting senior Jake Renfro. The senior missed the week two win over Middle Tennessee. Senior Kerry Kodanko filled in for Renfro and posted a 42.4 overall grade per Pro Football Focus. The Badgers have almost no depth at center and struggled to snap the ball throughout fall camp. UW had two errant snaps, one of which led to a turnover, against MTSU.

“We have full confidence in Kerry,” Mahlman said. “I don’t think last week’s game reflects him as a player. It was his first start. Gotta give the guy a little slack. He’s hit it hard the last couple days. I think he’s going to be prepared come Saturday.”

PREDICTION

If you’re Wisconsin, there are two things you don’t like about this game. First, outside of a quarter and a half against Middle Tennessee, the Badgers have had their struggles in non-conference play, and it has not come easily. Second, Alabama already has a loss, has had some major flaws exposed, and gotten that fire lit under them.

I’m big on stepping stones and having something to fall back on. Different team than 2024, but not sure the portal brought in the weapons necessary to pull off an upset of this magnitude. Even if Billy Edwards Jr. were playing on Saturday, I don’t know if you feel too differently about this game. The best win for O’Neil thus far in his career was against a 5-7 Hawaii squad last season. There’s just not a lot for me to hang on to and say an upset of this magnitude can happen other than two closes losses, at home under the lights, to Oregon and Penn State in 2024.

Wisconsin needs a run game. If they can’t eliminate third-and-longs and take the pressure off O’Neil, things could get ugly. Florida State did run the ball well, but a lot of the damage came through the quarterback. O’Neil is a decent runner, but he’s not Thomas Castellanos.

UW’s defense will make some plays and maybe frustrate the UA offense a little bit. However, this environment is going to be a different animal on Saturday. I think it eventually gets to the Badgers and things come apart in the third and fourth quarter.

Alabama 38 Wisconsin 13