From Wisconsin what is needed for a Badgers win over the Alabama Crimson Tide

Three more Wisconsin keys to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide

No disrespect is intended to the Daily Cardinal, but the next three keys are likely to be impossible to achieve or, even if successful, to have minimal impact on the game.

What could provide success for Wisconsin is a two-part key: slowing Justice Haynes and Jam Miller and maintaining excellent coverage of Alabama's talented receivers. Wisconsin has a top safety in Hunter Wohler, but the Wisconsin cornerbacks vs. Alabama's receivers is a matchup giving the Crimson Tide a big advantage.

Assuming Tyler Booker goes back to guard, with a healthy Kadyn Proctor at tackle, Wisconsin slowing Alabama running backs will not happen. Neutral experts point out that the weakest link in Wisconsin's defense is stopping interior runs. Making it worse for the Badgers on Saturday morning is for the first half, Wisconsin will play without its best linebacker, Jake Chaney. Wisconsin's local media outlet can be praised for positive expectations, but if this third key is required for the Badgers to have a chance Wisconsin is in big trouble.

A fourth key is for the Badgers to reverse poor performance in kickoff and punt returns. Wisconsin may have a capable returner in Trech Kekahuna, but Western Michigan and South Dakota shutting him down is a red flag for Wisconsin's chances. Alabama's coverage teams are filled with exceptional athletes who can be expected to make Kekahuna a non-factor on Saturday.

The fifth Wisconsin key is based on a statistical oddity. The key is the Badgers must make hay in the game's 3rd quarter. Indeed, Alabama has not been offensively productive in third quarters this season. However, a two-game sample provides insufficient data to base any conclusion.

It is always good to consider the perspective of opponents. In this case, every one of the suggested five keys will have to break for the Badgers or the game will not be close. There is a more than small talent disparity between the teams. The Badgers will at best produce 17 points and the Alabama Crimson Tide will score much more.