5 critical things we learned about Alabama football from the win over Wisconsin

Alabama successfully bounced back from a disheartening season-opening loss to Florida State with back-to-back sublime performances in wins over UL Monroe and Wisconsin. Neither of those two teams is of the quality of the Seminoles, but Tide fans wanted to see their team play to a standard, not to the opponent. In that vein, the last two weeks should be considered a wild success.

Alabama is now 2-1 and up to No. 14 in the latest AP Poll. It's not where the Crimson Tide hoped to be in the preseason, but heading into their first of two bye weeks this season, every preseason goal this team had is still attainable.

On the other side of the bye week, Georgia awaits in Athens. That game will tell us for sure where this Alabama team really is as it opens a brutal conference slate. For now, here are some critical things we learned from Alabama's 38-14 win over Wisconsin.

5 critical observations of Alabama football after the win over Wisconsin

1. Ty Simpson has made major strides the last two weeks

His biggest tests are on the horizon, but it's impossible not to be impressed with how well Ty Simpson has played over the last two weeks. He followed up his perfect day against UL Monroe with another impeccable performance against Wisconsin. He completed 24-of-29 passes (and two of those incompletions were bad drops by his receivers) for 382 yards and four touchdowns.

Over the last two weeks, Simpson has completed 41-of-46 for 608 yards and seven touchdown passes. Simply put, no QB in the country has played better than Simpson the last two games.

It's easy to see that Simpson is working on his craft and correcting his flaws. Against Florida State, he was quick to abandon the pocket, even when it was clean, and bail to his right. Over the last two weeks, you can see Simpson fighting his instincts and forcing himself to stay in. He's standing tall, setting his feet, and letting it rip:

If this is the version of Simpson we get in SEC play, then Alabama is going to be tough to beat moving forward and should be one of the top contenders to make it to Atlanta.

2. Ryan Williams is still one of the best players in the nation

It's hard to rationalize considering how often his age was hammered into fans during broadcasts last season, but it seems like people forget that Ryan Williams is still just 18 years old and should be a freshman this year. He's going to have some hiccups, like the drop in the endzone for what would have been his third touchdown reception against Wisconsin.

But he tends to more than make up for those hiccups, as he did on Saturday. Williams produced in a major way in his return from a concussion, putting up 165 yards on five receptions and two touchdowns. Those choosing to hyper-fixate on the one drop are missing the forest for the trees. How many players in college football can make this move and score a touchdown?

With all of his momentum carrying him out of bounds, Williams stopped on a dime and made a Jerry Jeudy-esque cut and raced toward the endzone. The cornerback was embarrassed. The safety looked dumbfounded, as if he'd seen an act of witchcraft that his brain couldn't fully comprehend.

Williams reminded fans of his immense talent against Wisconsin. His return to that level of play is huge for Alabama - and bad news for future opponents who are going to have their hands full with this Tide passing attack.

3. Alabama might need more than Jam Miller to spark the ground game

Alabama's performance on the ground against Power Four opposition so far this season has left a lot to be desired:

51 carries, 159 yards - 3.1 yards-per-carry

That's simply not going to get it done during SEC play. Alabama should get a big boost against Georgia in two weeks with the expected return of starting RB Jam Miller, but they are going to need more than just the senior's return to spark the rushing attack.

One potential change could occur on the offensive line over the bye week. Don't be surprised to see new starters at both RG and RT when Alabama heads to Athens. Jaeden Roberts has continued his recovery and should be ready for an increased role against the Bulldogs. Freshman Michael Carroll has begun pushing starter Wilkin Formby at RT. Carroll brings a nastiness to the offensive line that Alabama needs.

He and Roberts could be the spark Alabama needs to find some consistency on the ground.

4. Yhonzae Pierre could be the key to an increased pass rush

It may have gone unnoticed by some, but Kane Wommack changed the defensive look against Wisconsin and employed a more traditional 3-4 to combat the Badgers' power. It's a look they will almost certainly replicate against Georgia.

In doing so, it got redshirt sophomore Wolf LB Yhonzae Pierre onto the field for more snaps. He rewarded Wommack's faith in him with a strong day. Pierre earned his first sack of the season, one of four by the Alabama defense on Saturday, which entered the game with just one all season.

Pierre led Alabama in pressures with five. He consistently got into the backfield and could be the key to an improved pass rush moving forward.

5. Bray Hubbard has put his poor performance against FSU in the rearview

No player on the team endured more criticism in the aftermath of Alabama's loss to Florida State than Bray Hubbard. All he has done since is look like one of the best safeties in college football. Against Wisconsin, Hubbard looked exactly like the player Tide fans expected him to be this season:

It wasn't just the two interceptions that made Hubbard stand out. He was fast and physical, spending the entire day in attack mode., He has keyed back-to-back tremendous defensive efforts for Alabama.

It was easy to write him off after one bad day, but Hubbard is a vital piece to this defense.