Alabama Crimson Tide News: Dominant win over Wisconsin, LT Overton hurt, more

Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from the weekend of September 12th through 14th.

Alabama football routs Wisconsin, 38-14

For the second consecutive week, Alabama looked like the team we thought they could be in the preseason. With Florida State now in the distant rearview, Alabama has responded by bludgeoning UL Monroe and Wisconsin by a combined score of 111-14.

In its first power-four matchup since the FSU loss, Alabama was dominant in a 38-14 win over Wisconsin that probably should have gotten even more out of hand if it wasn't for a couple of ill-timed drops and a penalty that directly led to a kickoff return touchdown by the Badgers.

All in all, it was hard to complain. The game was never really competitive.

Ty Simpson torches Wisconsin

There's not a QB in the country who has performed at a higher level the last two weeks than Ty Simpson. He was terrific against Wisconsin, completing 24-of-29 passes for 382 yards and four touchdowns. The stat line doesn't even tell the full story: he was even better than they show. If it wasn't for a drop by Ryan Williams, Simpson would have had an extra completion and another touchdown. Freshman Lotzeir Brooks also dropped a wide-open pass.

Even still, over the last two weeks Simpson has completed 41-of-46 passes. He looks more and more comfortable. He's throwing with anticipation and he's throwing strikes.

Through three weeks, Simpson now leads the SEC in QBR. If he continues on this trajectory, he's absolutely good enough to lead this team to a National Championship.

Ryan Williams' big day

Fans unfortunately want to hyper-fixate on the one drop, but it was a massive day for Ryan Williams in his return. Yes, he may drop a pass here and there, but there's not anyone else in the country who can do the things that he can do. He adds so much to this offense.

Williams caught five passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. His touchdowns were spectacular, as they often are.

The first:

The second:

With Williams back and looking like the star he is, this WR corps is as good as everyone thought it could be in the preseason. Germie Bernard has been a stud, Isaiah Horton was as advertised, and both Lotzeir Brooks and Rico Scott can be difference makers.

A different side of Kalen DeBoer

Kalen DeBoer's personality has shifted the last two weeks. He endured a lot of criticism for Alabama looking off-guard and unprepared against Florida State. His stoicism on the sideline has rubbed Tide fans wrong since he arrived from Seattle. The last couple of weeks, however, have brought on a new DeBoer.

Maybe it's the black hoodie, but DeBoer has shown a lot of fire. He's yelled at officials, he's called for his team to give "no mercy," and cameras caught him ripping into Rico Scott late in the fourth quarter on Saturday in a game that was long since decided.

DeBoer seems to have realized the sense of urgency with the fanbase and prominent boosters who were not happy with the team's consistent struggles under his leadership.

It's not a coincidence with DeBoer looking like a new coach, Alabama has also started looking like a new team.

Tommy Rees linked to the UCLA head coaching job

It was Bloody Sunday in college football, in September. Virginia Tech fired Brent Pry, and UCLA fired DeShaun Foster, both after 0-3 starts to the season. Whom they target remains to be seen, but according to ESPN, don't be surprised to see former Alabama OC - and current Cleveland Browns OC - Tommy Rees get a look at UCLA.

Rees was born in Los Angeles, and his father was an assistant coach at UCLA for 15 years. The Bruins need a spark, and perhaps they could take a big swing on a promising young coach who seems destined to run his own program sooner rather than later.