2024 Alabama Football Opponents: Auburn Tigers and Wisconsin Badgers

Let's continue a preview of Alabama Football's regular season opponents by focusing on the Auburn Tigers and the Wisconsin Badgers. The regular season preview started in two earlier posts that began the process with the teams offering the least regular season challenge to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Previously previewed were Mercer and Western Kentucky, followed by previews of South Florida, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina.

In working down from least to greatest challenge, the Auburn Tigers are projected as the 7th biggest regular season challenge to the Crimson Tide. The Wisconsin Badgers are the 6th biggest challenge.

Alabama Football vs. Auburn Tigers - Nov. 30 in Tuscaloosa

Despite last season's 6-7 record, Auburn fans have confidently looked forward to the 2024 season. The main reason for Auburn's optimism was the retirement of Nick Saban. Aubies presumed Hugh Freeze would out-recruit Kalen DeBoer. Not only has that not happened, there is no indication it will happen - ever.

Auburn fans had two sound reasons for hope. There were the close, 2023 losses to Georgia and Alabama. The Tigers lost to the Bulldogs, 27-20, and to Alabama 27-24, with the Tide needing a miracle play to win. Hugh Freeze recently said the Iron Bowl loss still sickens him. Maybe that is a good ploy from Freeze to avoid talking about losing to New Mexico State and Maryland, who combined beat the Tigers 62-23.

The ESPN FPI projects Auburn's win total at 7.2 wins. If the FPI is correct, one of the seven wins will not be the Iron Bowl.

Auburn should be better in 2024, but even Auburn fans are starting to think any improvement will be small. The Tigers will be much improved at wide receiver, and likely better on the offensive line. Under new coaches, the defense might be better than last season. Auburn has the backs to rely on its running game, thereby not asking too much of a very average Payton Thorne at quarterback.

Auburn's offensive third-down conversion rate was 13th in the SEC last season at 32.93%. The ineptitude put an unfair burden on the Auburn defense. Freeze will need to do some brake-pumping in 2024. The Tigers played at the fifth-fastest pace in the SEC last season. More Auburn first downs would be the best solution, but a slower pace could help the defense.

Alabama Football vs. Wisconsin - Sept. 14 in Madison, WI

The Badgers also struggled last season, losing four of their last six games to finish 7-6. Luke Fickell's second season in Madison should show improvement. The ESPN FPI disagrees giving Wisconsin a 5.8 win total. Even if the FPI is accurate, beating the Badgers at Camp-Randall Stadium will be a bigger challenge for Alabama than beating Auburn in Tuscaloosa.

Wisconsin did not have an effective passing attack last season. It is expected Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke is an upgrade at quarterback. The Wisconsin running game was a strong point last season, but for Alabama's 'work-in-progress' a game three against Phil Longo's Air Raid offense is the biggest threat. Both starting tackles return and given adequate pass protection, Van Dyke could have success against the new Crimson Tide secondary.

The Badgers were a solid defensive team last season. Given Fickell's reputation, the defense could be better in 2024.

Unlike the Auburn game that could be a blowout Crimson Tide win, the Badgers will play, tough, sound football and could keep the game within reach throughout. Alabama winning by double-digits would be encouraging in the ramp-up for the Georgia Bulldogs. A best-case scenario for the Crimson Tide would be a win without showing Georgia most of its new offense.

Note: Team stats provided by cfbstats.com