No. 4 Alabama makes rare trip north to visit unranked Wisconsin
Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) reacts after his touchdown against South Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Credit: AP/Vasha Hunt
No. 4 Alabama (2-0) at Wisconsin (2-0), Saturday, noon EST (Fox)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Alabama by 16 ½.
Series record: Tied 1-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Wisconsin is seeking its first 3-0 start since 2019. If Wisconsin pulls the upset, Alabama would be the highest-ranked Southeastern Conference team that any Big Ten program has ever defeated in the regular season. The Badgers also are aiming for their first win over a top-five opponent since beating No. 5 LSU 16-14 at Lambeau Field to kick off the 2016 season. Alabama looks to improve to 16-1 in its last 17 road openers. Its only road-opening loss during that stretch came at Mississippi in 2014.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabama WR Ryan Williams vs. Wisconsin CB Ricardo Hallman: We’re working on the assumption these guys will be lining up against each other for at least part of the day. Williams was the nation’s No. 4 overall prospect in his class according to composite rankings of recruiting sites compiled by 247Sports, and the freshman has opened his career by catching six passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns in his first two games. Hallman intercepted seven passes last season to tie Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts for the lead among all Football Bowl Subdivision players.
Alabama running back Jam Miller (26) runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Florida, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Credit: AP/Vasha Hunt
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alabama: QB Jalen Milroe has accounted for nine total touchdowns in the first two games (five passing and four rushing). Milroe, who finished sixth in last year’s Heisman Trophy balloting, has completed 65.7% of his passes for 394 yards without an interception. His four touchdown runs are the most for any FBS quarterback.
Wisconsin: S Hunter Wohler has a team-high 15 tackles to go along with two pass breakups. His 10 solo tackles put him in a tie for second place in the Big Ten. Wohler led the Badgers with 120 tackles last season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (10) passes against South Dakota during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Madison, Wis. Credit: AP/Andy Manis
This is Alabama's first true road game against a team from north of the Mason-Dixon Line since a 2011 victory at Penn State. .... This marks Alabama’s first visit to Camp Randall Stadium since 1928, when the Badgers beat the Crimson Tide 15-0. The only other matchup between these teams came in 2015, when Derrick Henry rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns in Alabama’s 35-17 victory at Arlington, Texas. … Wisconsin will be honoring 1999 Heisman Trophy winner Ron Dayne during Saturday’s game. … This marks the second time Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell has coached against Alabama. His Cincinnati team lost 27-6 to the Crimson Tide in a 2021 College Football Playoff semifinal. … Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer has never faced Wisconsin during his head coaching career. … Alabama co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Colin Hitschler was Wisconsin’s co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach last year. … Wisconsin is 2-11 in its last 13 games against teams in the Associated Press Top 25, including an 0-2 mark under Fickell.
