The degree of difficulty jumps exponentially for undefeated Wisconsin when fourth-ranked Alabama rolls into Camp Randall Stadium for a marquee nonconference matchup Saturday in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin (2-0) has been unimpressive in two victories. In its opener, the Badgers rallied from a 14-13 fourth-quarter deficit for a 28-14 win over Western Michigan, which in turn was pounded 56-0 by No. 3 Ohio State last week.
Wisconsin then held off FCS opponent South Dakota 27-13 last Saturday after letting the Coyotes close within 17-13 midway through the third quarter.
“Not that the first two games weren’t the start of the season, but we knew this was going to be the opportunity and point in time when we really, really got to see where we are and who we are,” Badgers coach Luke Fickell said Monday.
Alabama (2-0) opened the Kalen DeBoer era with a 63-0 rout at home over Western Kentucky before pulling away with 28 fourth-quarter points for a 42-16 home victory over South Florida.
The Crimson Tide, one of six Southeastern Conference teams ranked in the top seven this week, are averaging 496.5 yards per game while allowing 227.0. Alabama has seven touchdowns in nine red-zone opportunities, while opponents have just one TD in six trips inside the red zone.
Jamarion Miller has averaged 9.7 yards per carry with 194 yards on 20 attempts and two touchdowns for the Crimson Tide. Justice Haynes has rushed for 143 yards and two scores, averaging 8.9 per carry.
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has completed 24 of 36 passes for 399 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions. He also has run for 81 yards and four touchdowns.
The Crimson Tide will travel to Madison for the first time in 96 years, and DeBoer said his team is embracing the opportunity to play in front of a raucous opposing crowd.
“You know, that hostile environment and taking it on, and knowing that it’s kind of you vs. everyone there,” the first-year Alabama coach said Monday. “I think our guys are looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to improving on this last week.”
Each team will be down a linebacker during the first half on Saturday. The Crimson Tide’s Justin Jefferson and the Badgers’ Jake Chaney each were ejected for targeting in their respective previous games.
Redshirt senior Tyler Van Dyke, a transfer from Miami, completed 17 of 27 passes for 214 yards with one touchdown for Wisconsin last Saturday. Through two games, Van Dyke has completed 38 of 63 passes (60.3 percent) for 406 yards with one score and no interceptions.
With Tawee Walker out injured, reserve running back Cade Yacamelli had a team-high 73 yards on eight carries for the Badgers against South Dakota. Sixth-year senior Chez Mellusi leads Wisconsin with 134 yards at 3.8 per carry and three touchdowns.
The Badgers have scored on 8 of 10 red-zone possessions, including five touchdowns. Opponents are 4-for-4 in the red zone with two touchdowns.
Alabama and Wisconsin have not played since 2015, when the Crimson Tide won 35-17 at Arlington, Texas. Alabama’s only trip to Madison was in 1928, when the Badgers won 15-0.
Fickell was the head coach at Cincinnati when his fourth-ranked Bearcats lost to the top-ranked Crimson Tide 27-6 in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl in 2021.
