Wisconsin Badgers vs Alabama Crimson Tide Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

FOX will be covering the week three non-conference matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Wisconsin Badgers, scheduled for 12:00 ET on Saturday, September 14th, at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison. Both teams are 2-0 coming into this game. Alabama is favored by -15.5 points, with the over/under line set at 50.5 points at this time. The money line odds are currently -765 for Alabama and +519 for Wisconsin.

Alabama vs. Wisconsin Key Information

• Teams: Crimson Tide at Badgers
• Where: Camp Randall Stadium Madison
• Date: Saturday, September 14th
• Betting Odds ALA -765 | WISC +519 O/U 50.5

For a deeper understanding of how these odds can impact your bets, check out our Football Betting Guide.

The Crimson Tide Can Win If…

Alabama is now 2-0 after a 42-16 win over South Florida. The Crimson Tide were -30.5 point favorites but ended up winning by 26 points, failing to cover the spread. The over/under line was set at 64.5 points, but the total score was 58 points, resulting in the under hitting.

After each team scored a field goal in the first quarter, Alabama took a 7-3 lead with a touchdown in the first. South Florida matched Alabama’s 7 points in the second quarter, and the Crimson Tide led 14-6 at halftime. South Florida narrowed the gap to 14-13 in the third quarter, but Alabama dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring South Florida 28-3 to secure the win.

Alabama’s offense was led by quarterback Jalen Milroe, who threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns while completing 63% of his passes. The Crimson Tide’s offense totaled 395 yards, with 196 yards coming on the ground. Jam Miller was the standout rusher, averaging 9.3 yards per carry and accumulating 140 yards, including one touchdown.

Alabama’s rushing attack was dominant, scoring four touchdowns on the ground. In the passing game, Ryan Williams led the way with four receptions for 68 yards and one touchdown.

Alabama’s defense will be looking to improve after giving up 313 yards to South Florida in their most recent game. The Crimson Tide allowed 210 rushing yards on 45 attempts, but their pass defense was more effective, limiting South Florida to just 103 yards on 16 completions.

• Through their last three games, the Alabama Crimson Tide have a record of 2-1. But, they did not perform well vs the spread in these games, going 1-2. Their over-under record in these matchups was 2-1.
• The Alabama Crimson Tide have gone 9-1 over their last ten regular season games. Their record against the spread in this stretch is 6-4 to go along with an over-under mark of 7-3.

The Badgers Can Win If…

Wisconsin is now 2-0 after their 27-13 win over South Dakota. This game saw no betting lines, but the Badgers took care of business at home, coming out on top by 14 points.

Wisconsin jumped out to an early 14-0 lead, and the teams traded field goals in the second quarter, with the Badgers leading 17-3 at the half. South Dakota made it a 20-13 game by the end of the third quarter, but Wisconsin added a touchdown in the fourth to seal the win.

Wisconsin’s offense put up 385 yards in their 27-13 win over South Dakota, with 171 yards coming on the ground. The Badgers’ ground game was effective, producing two rushing touchdowns. Through the air, Tyler Van Dyke completed 63% of his passes for 214 yards and one touchdown, ending the game with a passer rating of 99.92. C.J. Williams led the receiving corps with two catches for 53 yards.

Wisconsin’s defense will be looking to improve after giving up 239 total yards to South Dakota in their most recent game. The Badgers allowed 125 rushing yards and one touchdown on the ground, while South Dakota’s passing game managed just 114 yards on 12 completions. Wisconsin’s defense did not force any turnovers in the game.

• Wisconsin has put together a record of 3-0 over their past three games. Their record vs the spread in these matchups is less impressive at 1-2, while posting an over-under record of 1-2.
• Across Wisconsin’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. Across these games, their ATS record was just 2-6-1, while posting an over-under record of 3-6.

The Lean

Alabama is favored by -15.5 points over Wisconsin in this week three college football matchup. Our projected final score is 27-25 in favor of Alabama, but we like Wisconsin to cover the spread as the home underdog.

With the over/under line set at 50.5 points, our projection of 52 total points suggests taking the over as the best play.

If you’re already familiar with football betting basics, take a look at our NCAAF Picks to make smarter wagers.

No. 4 Alabama Braces for Tough Road Test Against Unbeaten But Inconsistent Wisconsin

The stage is set for an exciting nonconference matchup as No. 4 Alabama heads to Camp Randall Stadium to take on Wisconsin this Saturday. Both teams are coming into the game undefeated, but their journeys so far have been quite different. Alabama’s been steamrolling through its opponents, while Wisconsin has struggled to find its rhythm despite the wins. This game has all the makings of a defining moment for both squads.

Alabama’s Dominant Start

The Tide Rolling Strong: Alabama (2-0) has been nothing short of dominant in their first two games. They kicked off the season with a blowout 63-0 victory over Western Kentucky and followed that up with a solid 42-16 win against South Florida, where they put up 28 points just in the fourth quarter.

Offensive Firepower: Alabama’s offense has been on fire, averaging nearly 500 yards per game. Quarterback Jalen Milroe has been a standout so far, showing off his dual-threat abilities. He’s already thrown for 399 yards and five touchdowns while adding 81 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Add in running backs Jamarion Miller and Justice Haynes, who are averaging a ridiculous 9.7 and 8.9 yards per carry respectively, and Alabama’s offense is looking unstoppable. In the red zone, they’ve been nearly perfect, scoring touchdowns on seven of nine trips. That efficiency is going to be a problem for Wisconsin’s defense.

Lockdown Defense: Alabama’s defense has been equally impressive, allowing just 227 yards per game and only giving up one touchdown in six red-zone trips by their opponents. With both the offense and defense clicking, the Tide are looking like a well-oiled machine heading into Madison.

Wisconsin’s Uneven Performances

Unbeaten, but Barely: Wisconsin (2-0) may be undefeated, but they haven’t looked convincing so far. In their opener, they struggled to pull away from Western Michigan, eventually winning 28-14 after trailing in the fourth quarter. They followed that up with a less-than-inspiring 27-13 win over FCS opponent South Dakota. These close calls have raised concerns about their ability to compete with top-tier teams like Alabama.

Offensive Woes: Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, a redshirt senior transfer from Miami, has been okay, but nothing spectacular. He’s completed 60.3% of his passes for 406 yards, but with just one touchdown in two games, the Badgers’ passing game hasn’t been nearly as dangerous as they’d like. The running game, led by Chez Mellusi, has also struggled to find its groove, with Mellusi averaging just 3.8 yards per carry. For Wisconsin to have any shot at keeping up with Alabama, they’re going to need to crank up the production on offense.

Red Zone Troubles: Wisconsin’s struggles have been most apparent in the red zone. Sure, they’ve scored on eight of ten red-zone trips, but five of those were field goals. Meanwhile, their opponents have scored on every red-zone visit, which doesn’t bode well against an Alabama team that’s deadly in close quarters.

What the Coaches Are Saying

Both coaches know the magnitude of this game, and they’re approaching it with a mix of excitement and caution.

Alabama Head Coach Kalen DeBoer: DeBoer is ready for the challenge of playing in a hostile environment like Camp Randall. “That hostile environment and knowing that it’s kind of you vs. everyone there, I think our guys are looking forward to the challenge and improving on this last week,” he said.

Wisconsin Head Coach Luke Fickell: For Fickell, this game is a chance to see what his team is really made of. “We knew this was going to be the point in time when we really, really got to see where we are and who we are,” he said. Fickell’s no stranger to Alabama—he faced them in the 2021 College Football Playoff semifinal while coaching Cincinnati. Though his team lost 27-6, the experience could help him prepare Wisconsin for the task ahead.

Key Matchups and Impact Players

Jalen Milroe vs. Wisconsin Defense: Milroe’s ability to beat teams both through the air and on the ground makes him a nightmare matchup for Wisconsin’s defense. Combine that with Alabama’s red-zone efficiency, and the Badgers will need to bring their A-game to keep him contained.

Tyler Van Dyke vs. Alabama Defense: On the other side, Van Dyke has his work cut out for him. He’s going up against an Alabama defense that’s been rock-solid, especially in the red zone. If Van Dyke can’t step up his play, Wisconsin’s offense could struggle to move the ball consistently.

Targeting Penalties Impact

Both teams will be without key defensive players for the first half due to targeting penalties in their previous games. Alabama’s linebacker Justin Jefferson and Wisconsin’s Jake Chaney will sit out, potentially leaving both defenses vulnerable early on. This could open up opportunities for both offenses to exploit in the first half.

Once you’ve made your picks, it’s crucial to understand how odds affect your potential winnings. Visit our NCAAF Odds page for more information.

A Little History

This is Alabama’s first visit to Camp Randall Stadium since 1928, when Wisconsin pulled off a 15-0 upset. The two teams last met in 2015, when Alabama came out on top 35-17 in Arlington, Texas. While these past matchups add a fun layer of history, Alabama’s current form makes them the heavy favorite.

What to Watch For

Alabama’s Momentum: The Crimson Tide is riding high after two dominant wins, and they’ll likely look to test Wisconsin early. If Alabama can jump out to a quick lead, it could be a long day for the Badgers.

Wisconsin’s Resilience: While Wisconsin hasn’t been impressive in their first two games, playing at home in front of a packed and rowdy Camp Randall crowd could give them a spark. If they can avoid early mistakes and keep it close, they might have a chance to make this a competitive game.

Conclusion: Alabama’s Challenge, Wisconsin’s Opportunity

While both teams are unbeaten, the path they’ve taken to get here couldn’t be more different. Alabama has been dominant on both sides of the ball, and their balanced attack, led by Jalen Milroe, makes them the clear favorite. But Wisconsin has an opportunity to prove they belong on the national stage. If they can rise to the occasion in front of their home crowd, they might be able to give Alabama a run for their money.

For Alabama, this game is an important early-season road test. For Wisconsin, it’s a chance to show they can hang with one of the nation’s elite teams. Either way, this is shaping up to be a fascinating clash.