Staff Predictions: Our Picks for No. 4 Alabama vs. Wisconsin

After starting the season with two wins at Bryant-Denny Stadium, No. 4 Alabama will play in front of another red jersey on Saturday when it faces Wisconsin at 11 a.m. CT at Camp Randall Stadium. The Crimson Tide (2-0) is a 16-point favorite over the Badgers (2-0), according to Caesars Sportsbook.

Alabama has split its last two meetings with Wisconsin. The Crimson Tide beat the Badgers 35-17 in the 2015 season opener in Arlington, Texas. Wisconsin won the first meeting between the two teams, beating Alabama 15-0 at home in 1928. This weekend's matchup is the first leg of a home-and-away series that will see Wisconsin face Alabama next season.

This is how the editors of Tide Illustrated believe the game will turn out on Saturday.

This should be an interesting week for Kalen DeBoer and his Alabama freshman team, who are coming off a tough game against USF where most expected an easy win. USF has a dynamic offense that kept the Tide at bay in the red zone last week. Wisconsin does not have a dynamic offense and has struggled to pull off close wins in its first two games.

Badgers offensive coordinator Phil Longo has never impressed me with the way he plays on any of his stops, and the Badgers are trying to create more open conditions on offense by breaking years of tradition.

— Kelly Quinlan, Editor

After trailing for three quarters against South Florida last week, I expect Alabama to jump out to a quick lead against Wisconsin. The Tide's banged-up offensive line has almost fully recovered, and Kalen DeBoer said Kadyn Proctor (shoulder) and Elijah Pritchett (ankle) are both “in good shape” heading into the weekend.

If one or both of Proctor and Pritchett can play, Tyler Booker can move back to his usual position at left guard. That should improve Alabama's running game and allow the Tide to better set the tone on early downs.

Running backs Justice Haynes and Jam Miller took turns in the running game against Alabama, with Haynes, in my case, recording his second 100-yard game of the year as the Tide ran down the clock with a big lead in the fourth quarter.

— Tony Tsoukalas, senior editor

I expect a more fluid and complete offense from the Crimson Tide, despite scoring fewer points than the 42 they scored last week against South Florida. The Badgers have a physical defense and a veteran secondary led by Hunter Wohler and Ricardo Halman that should be able to contain explosive plays a little better than the Crimson Tide's first two opponents.

With that in mind, I think the offense will respond with more disciplined offense and a balanced attack that will ultimately bring the Badgers down. I expect the defense to perform similarly to the first two games, and Kane Wommack's Yibambe red zone mentality will prove itself on the road.

— Jack Knowlton, Editor

Alabama showed its vulnerability against USF, but I don't think Wisconsin has the personnel or game plan to exploit the Crimson Tide the way the Bulls did in week two. South Florida kept the Alabama defense on its toes for three quarters and mixed in several creative quarterback runs. The Bulls' defensive front took advantage of an out-of-shape Alabama offensive line and pressured Jalen Milroe.

Alabama saw Tyler Van Dyke in 2021 when he was a sophomore at Miami; he's nowhere near as mobile as USF's Byrum Brown. And with Elijah Pritchett likely returning to the starting lineup, Alabama should have a strengthened blocking unit.

USF handed Kalen DeBoer his first loss against the spread in non-conference regular season games in the last three seasons and expects the Crimson Tide to get back on track in Madison.

— Henry Sklar, Editor

After a lackluster offensive performance against USF with all the penalties, Alabama will look to get back on track and play the offensive line it started the season with. Milroe has proven to be very dynamic in the first two games and will continue to do so against a subpar defense. Look for Alabama's wide receivers to really spread the field wide.

Alabama's defense has been spectacular to begin with and faces an offense that really struggles to move the ball. Alabama's only concern is that Wisconsin will try to shorten the game with a lot of slow runs that eat up time. Getting off the field on third down will be crucial for the Tide.

— Jordan Harper, basketball analyst