In a huge non-conference bout, the Wisconsin football program will welcome the Alabama Crimson Tide to Madison in week three.
The Badgers will open the season against Western Michigan and South Dakota before the big-time matchup. It will be an early test for UW as it looks to improve in its second season under Luke Fickell's direction.
In the program's first season since Nick Saban's retirement, Alabama will be led by former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide will still be in the early stages of its new tenure, which could leave the Badgers with an opportunity to steal a defining win.
Game Info
When: Saturday, September 14th at 11:00 am CST
Where: Camp Randall Stadium - Madison, WI
TV: FOX
Radio: Badger Sports Network
History
Week three's matchup will be just the third meeting between the Badgers and the Crimson Tide all-time, with the series currently split at 1-1. Wisconsin won the inaugural matchup by a score of 15-0 in 1928, while Alabama took home a 35-17 win in the season opener in 2015.
Last Season
12-2 Overall; 8-0 SEC
31.5 points per game (31st of 133)
19.7 opp. points per game (16th of 133)
2023 SOS: 2nd of 133
In Nick Saban's 17th and final season as head coach, Alabama steamrolled all conference competition en route to an SEC Championship win over Georgia. However, the Tide's hopes of coming out on top fell short in the Rose Bowl, where they lost 20-27 in overtime to the eventual national champions, Michigan. It was a successful season against one of the toughest schedules in the country, with matchups against several top-25 teams, such as Texas, Ole Miss, Tennessee, LSU, and Georgia.
The Tide were a borderline top-30 in points per game with significant contributions from stars Jalen Milroe, Isaiah Bond, Jermaine Burton, Jase McClellan, and several others.
Alabama also boasted one of the nation's most talented defenses, with top players Kool-Aid McKinstry, Terrion Arnold, Caleb Downs, Dallas Turner, and Deontae Lawson. The defensive unit ranked near the top 15 in points allowed per game.
2024 Preview
Of course, the most significant change came with the loss of Nick Saban, but there was some fallout from his departure, including the loss of some top talent to the transfer portal.
Isaiah Bond, the team's second-leading receiver, transferred to Texas shortly after Kalen DeBoer arrived, and Caleb Downs, who led the team in tackles with 107 in 2023, transferred to Ohio State. That's not to say they didn't respond by bringing in some high-level talent, such as former USC cornerback Domani Jackson, former Penn State safety King Mack, and former Michigan safety Keon Sabb.
Alabama will still have some continuity from last season's SEC Champion team, with QB Jalen Milroe looking to build off of a strong sophomore season where he threw for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns. They'll also have some continuity on defense with Deontae Lawson, Jihaad Campbell, and Malachi Moore, who were among the most impactful defenders for the Tide last season.
As the odds currently stand, Wisconsin football is a 9.5-point underdog across nearly all betting services. It will be a huge test for the Badgers before heading into conference play, and this matchup should be a barometer of where UW stands in terms of competitiveness this season.
Related: Wisconsin Football 2024 Preview: South Dakota
Stay in the loop with all things Wisconsin Badgers football and men's basketball by visiting AllBadgers.com for more updates.
You can also follow Jake Maier at @JakeJMaier on X.
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