The word of the week is “elevate.” That word has reverberated throughout Alabama’s practice this week, according to guard Tyler Booker, as in elevate to the Crimson Tide’s standard of play. Looking back at the South Florida game, self-inflicted errors cost Alabama most in a 42-16 win that was still a 1-point game in the fourth quarter.
“Two touchdowns called back plus close to 200 penalty yards,” Booker said. “A touchdown is 100 yards, so that’s basically four touchdowns we left on the field. It really wasn’t about USF; it was about us not playing to the Bama standard. We just had to right our wrongs in the fourth quarter.”
Alabama eventually overcame its minus-three turnover margin and 13 penalties, but it showed weakness against a team that, on paper, was overmatched. Saturday’s game at Wisconsin brings a steeper challenge. It’s a legitimate power conference program, and those self-inflicted mistakes will have much more dire consequences on the road, in an environment that will be starving for an upset.
Saturday’s game brings some historical significance. It’s Alabama’s first trip to Madison, Wis., in 96 years. It’s the first time Wisconsin has hosted a top-10 nonconference opponent since 1989 and just the fifth trip by an AP top-10 SEC team to a Big Ten stadium. And each program needs a good showing.
This is Alabama’s last game until its mega showdown with Georgia on Sept. 28. It’s also the first road game for a team with several young players at key positions. On the other side, a strong showing by Wisconsin would help validate Luke Fickell in Year 2, and an upset win would be a potential paradigm-shifting moment.
Here are three keys and a prediction:
1. It starts and ends with Alabama’s offensive line
Alabama might start a different offensive line combination for the third consecutive game. Wednesday, coach Kalen DeBoer seemed optimistic about the availability of starting left tackle Kadyn Proctor, who has yet to play this season.
“He’s been practicing,” DeBoer said. “He’s doing well, doing a good job. Really was headed in a really good direction right at the very end of last week. Turned the corner, I think.”
If he can start, it would give Alabama its third lineup. But even if he plays rotation snaps and doesn’t start, the possibility of Elijah Pritchett starting over Wilkin Formby at right tackle with the remaining four starters from last week is there too. In short, the group is in flux.
Whether Proctor plays or not, correcting the eight penalties called from the line alone is the No. 1 priority. There will be an opportunity to control the front even in a tough atmosphere — Wisconsin’s defense is ranked 80th against the run, 57th in sacks and 115th in tackles for loss.
“I’ve never had issues with their work ethic or want to,” position coach Chris Kapilovic said. “We have some young guys that haven’t played many reps and just understand the technique and being able to handle difficult situations. But they came ready to work this week.”
2. Van Dyke vs. Alabama’s secondary
The pathway to a Wisconsin upset is narrow but attainable. It’s one part Alabama continuing its self-inflicted errors from a week ago and Wisconsin capitalizing on them. The other part is getting a career game out of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke. A former blue-chip recruit, Van Dyke was a heralded college quarterback in 2021 at Miami, and now he’s trying to refind that spark with Wisconsin.
On the other side is a talented but young Alabama secondary that proved somewhat vulnerable a week ago. USF quarterback Byrum Brown had several opportunities for big plays but couldn’t connect. If those same opportunities are there for Van Dyke and he capitalizes on them, it’ll be a competitive contest throughout Saturday afternoon.
However, downfield passing hasn’t been a big part of Wisconsin’s offense through two games. The Badgers have only five passing plays of 15 or more yards — four of those plays came last week against FCS South Dakota. Wisconsin will have to test Alabama’s secondary vertically at some point to win, but Van Dyke has struggled with ball security in his career; he has seven career multi-interception games and threw 12 during the 2023 season.
If Alabama’s defensive backs can correct the eye-discipline issues that affected them last week, the defense might be able to create a game-changing moment with a turnover. Creating those, after zero forced turnovers last week, has been a huge emphasis.
“We were minus-three in the turnover margin, which is absolutely unacceptable by our defense,” defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. “It has to be something that we focus on, day in and day out. It’s what we preach. It’s who we are. It’s what we believe in. It did not show up in this game. It’s something we have to continue to push and pressure and focus on getting that done on game day.”
3. Milroe’s continued development
Through two games, Alabama’s starting quarterback is responsible for nine touchdowns (five passing, four rushing), no turnovers and a 66 percent completion percentage. And there’s room to grow. Jalen Milroe has shown improvements in decisiveness with the ball, recognizing pressure and moving in the pocket with his eyes downfield. However, holding on to the ball has resulted in unnecessary sacks. Those types of plays on the road lead to critical errors, so showing maturity — and leading an offense with a potential makeshift offensive line — is a key storyline for Saturday.
“He did some nice things (against South Florida) in terms of avoiding some rush and creating some plays,” offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan said. “I think there are other times we’re looking for him to try to get the ball out of his hands when there are opportunities that present themselves that way.”
Milroe has shown in a small sample that he plays well in hostile environments. In games at Texas A&M and Auburn last season, he combined for 580 pass yards (65 percent completion rate) and five touchdown passes to one interception. A more comfortable, polished version in 2024 spells another strong performance this Saturday.
Staying ahead of the chains on early downs is key and will allow for a more aggressive offensive approach. Should Alabama fall behind again, it’d be nice to see more quick pass plays and screens to put playmakers in space and offset a potential pass rush. It was an underutilized part of the offense last year and can be a nice complement to a proven downfield pass game.
Prediction
There is some upset potential in this game: Wisconsin will be extremely motivated, and the crowd will be the first milestone test for DeBoer’s team this season. However, I don’t see many pathways for the Badgers to pull it off. I expect a competitive game, but not one in which Alabama ever feels like it’s in danger of losing. Keep it simple, establish the run, avoid foolish penalties and turn Milroe loose. Alabama 34, Wisconsin 17.
(Top photo of Jam Miller celebrating a touchdown run against South Florida: Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today)
