Alabama is a heavy favorite heading into tomorrow's matchup against Wisconsin, with most sports books seeing a three-touchdown difference between the two programs. Despite the shocking loss to Florida State in the opener, most Crimson Tide fans believe the game against the Badgers should be a cakewalk.
Former Alabama QB turned prominent media figure, Greg McElroy, isn't buying it. He thinks his alma mater should be prepared for a dog fight against Luke Fickell's team on Saturday.
"I like Alabama, but I would not be surprised if it’s a bit of a dog fight there in the first half before Alabama starts to get a little more comfortable as the game goes along," McElroy said on his Always College Football show. "I like Wisconsin. I think they’re a proud program, I think they’ll play hard. I just think Alabama has a little too much juice and a little bit more talent at important spots in this matchup.”
Alabama should heed Greg McElroy's warning about Wisconsin
Alabama will be the better team when it faces Wisconsin at Bryant-Denny Stadium. But they've been the better team - and lost - several times under head coach Kalen DeBoer. They've got to come into this game with the same focus, the same intensity that they brought to last week's 73-0 win over UL Monroe. Wisconsin will be a bigger test than what the Tide faced with the Warhawks, and this game should serve as a litmus test for whether or not Alabama has truly turned the corner after the disappointing loss to Florida State two weeks ago.
It'll be a big test for Ty Simpson, who struggled at times against the Seminoles. He bounced back a week ago, completing all 17 of his pass attempts in the Tide rout. But the Wisconsin defense will provide a significant challenge, and he may not have the running game to fall back on.
It seems unlikely that Jam Miller will play, but even if he does, Wisconsin's stout run defense will make life difficult to move the football on the ground. It'll be a big test for the Alabama offensive line, the young running backs led by Kevin Riley, and the patience of OC Ryan Grubb, who abandoned the run in the FSU loss.
This game will be the perfect test for DeBoer and Alabama to determine whether they are ready to be a serious playoff contender - and ready for the massive test coming in Athens in two weeks - or if more soul searching will be needed.