GAMEDAY: ALABAMA
MAGGIE SPINNEY/
Pius, John
Chaney, Jake
Mellusi, Chez
Hallman, Ricardo
Kekahuna, Trech
Fourqurean, Nyzier
Walker, Tawee
Curtis, Tackett
Williams, C.J.
Burroughs, Quincy
Delancy III, RJ
Lucas, Xavier
Pauling, Will
Jones, Dilin
Thomas, Jaheim
Anthony II, Vinny
Lowery Jr., Leon
Brown, Austin
Green, Bryson
Van Dyke, Tyler
Agard, Omillio
Mettauer, Mabrey
Griffin Jr., Joseph
Lofy, Max
Dupree, Darrion
Latu, Kamo’i
Henry, Tyrell
Zachman, Preston
Cheeks, Sebastian
Snowden, Amare
Spasojevic, Milos
LaCrue, Cole
Peterson, Darryl
Arnett, Owen
Locke, Braedyn
Heiberger, Thomas
Nordgaard, Langdon
Moore, Braedyn
White, Nate
Duclona, Jonas
Fane, Cam
Arnold, Jace
Berry-Johnson, Kyan
Gauthier, Landon
Thomas-Kumpula, Davion
Wohler, Hunter
Taylor, Justin
Yacamelli, Cade
Harper, Jay
O’Neill, Grady
Anderson, Haakon
Dunn, Raphael
Alliegro, Christian
Meyers, Gavin
Van Zelst, Nate
Moeller, Alex
Toombs, Angel
Ituka, Gideon
Acker, Jackson
Jarvis, Charlie S
Wisconsin Badgers Alabama Crimson Tide
Nowakowski, Riley
Ashcraft, Tucker Lane, Mason
Seagreaves, JT
Jansey, Tyler
Bortolotti, Grover
Trudgeon, Jackson
Gloudeman, Zach
Solliday, Garrison
Dalloul, Tamer Van Dyn Hoven, Evan Bertrams, Atticus Cory, Ryan
Lafaele, Anelu Capper, Deed
Braam, Drew Heywood, Kevin Brunner, Joe Raymond, Cody Renfro, Jake
Mullens, Manny Witt, Aaron Huber, Joe Weber, Hank Okla, Joey Brown, Evan McKinley, Duncan Durand, James Nelson, Leyton
Benzschawel, JP Barten, Ben
Nelson, Barrett Mahlman, Riley Kodanko, Kerry Jensen, Derek
Mandell, Emerson
Clifford, John Johnson, Dillan
Lange, Peyton McDonald, Will Cubberly, Colin Nelson, Jack
Brooks Jr., Chris Stec, Grant Vils, Nolan
McGohan, Jackson
Booker II, Rob
Thompson Jr., James Vakos, Nathanial
Howard, Jamel
West, Sean Neal, Curt
Willor Jr., Ernest Hills, Elijah
Lane, Brandon
McDonald, Cade Lahm, Gavin
Smith, Gianni
Pfeiffer, Cayson
Lawson, Deontae Jackson, Domani Law, Kendrick Brown, Zabien Williams, Ryan Henderson Jr., Emmanuel Sabb, Keon Milroe, Jalen Russaw, Qua Bernard, Germie Mack, King Howard, Kameron Prentice, Kobe Adams, Cole Jones, DaShawn Smith, DeVonta Mbakwe, Jaylen Young, Richard Mack, Austin Oatis, Jehiem Campbell, Jihaad Scott, Rico Lonergan, Dylan Mincey, Zavier Moore, Malachi Hale, Jalen Nicholson, Graham Jefferson, Justin Simpson, Ty Carruth, Cade Hamilton, Jaren Morgan, Red Jefferson, Amari Hubbard, Bray Odom, Caleb Cooper, John Koht, Keanu Hill, Daniel Latham, Jah-Marien Hampton, Bubba Kirkpatrick Jr., Dre Haynes, Justice Overton, LT Smith, James Carter, Noah Hurley, Jahlil Miller, Jam Lorino III, Michael Sansing, Walter Riley, Kevin Yates, Peyton Moore, Ayden Moore, Fredrick Jones, Cayden Keely, Keon Talty, Conor Hanson, Griffin Loper Jr., Jay Osborne, Hunter
McNeal, Coby Robinson, Que Alexander, Jeremiah Reese, QB Davis, Cole May, Alijah Fleming, Kaleb Ivie, Jake Dixon, Sterling Gardner, JR Okoronkwo, Justin Chirgwin, MJ Pierre, Yhonzae Ross, Jayshawn Payne Jr., Damon Ouzts, Robbie Davis, Chase Fox, Peyton Williams, Jay Peavy, Kolby Thorsland, Adam Butler, Prince Hibbett, Kneeland Warhurst, Conner Poe, Casey Smith, Tim Asberry, Noland Booker, Tyler Chatman, Braylon Rozier, Alex Perri, Vito Wehby, Kade Montgomery, Roq Baird, JD VanDeMark, Geno Pritchett, Elijah McVay, Miles Roten, Graham Peterson, Davis Camboia, Diego Smith, Mac Betrand, Naquil Hickman, Baker Estess, Wade Roby, Billy Ionata, Joseph Sanders, William Howell, Jackson Brailsford, Parker Alinen, Olaus Proctor, Kadyn Formby, Wilkin Martin, JD Roberts, Jaeden Cuevas, Josh Dippre, CJ Camboia, Miguel Mollison, Cooper Cruz, Colby Whisenhunt, Lane Burnip, James Lewis Jr., Danny Faga, Isaia Lindsey, Jay Lockwood, Ty Renaud, Jordan Beaman, Jeremiah Hill, Edric Green, Anderson Keenan III, Tim Schuback, Reid Cornelius, Tucker Serpa, Nick
Wisconsin welcomes Crimson
Tide to Camp Randall
By Carlos Bello STAFF WRITER
The University of WisconsinMadison will host the no. 4 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide this Saturday in the Badgers’ most highly anticipated matchup of the season. This game marks the third meeting between these two storied programs, with the last matchup taking place in 2015.
This Saturday also marks the final non-conference game before the team starts its Big Ten tour, kicking off at The University of Southern California on Sept. 28. This weekend’s game is also the first of several ranked matchups to come as the Badgers will face no. 11 ranked USC, no. 8 ranked Penn State, no. 9 ranked Oregon and no. 23 ranked Nebraska in the coming weeks.
Alabama enters the game led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Jalen Milroe and new head coach Kalen DeBoer, who is stepping into the shoes of the legendary Nick Saban after his 17-year tenure. Despite being undefeated, the Crimson Tide has not shown the same level of domination so far this year as in previous seasons. Last week, they narrowly escaped with a win against South Florida, only leading by one point after three quarters.
Like the Badgers, Alabama’s biggest strength is its run game,
featuring a dynamic duo in Jam Miller and Justice Hayes, with Jalen Milroe also being one of the best running quarterbacks in the league. Additionally, true freshman Ryan Williams, a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year, has made an immediate impact, averaging 34.5 yards per reception and scoring three touchdowns. Wisconsin cornerback Ricardo Hallman will have his hands full trying to contain him this weekend.
On the other side of the ball, the Badgers come into this matchup with a 2-0 record, though their performances have been shaky at best. Wisconsin secured slight victories over Western Michigan and South
Dakota, failing to cover the spread in both matchups.
The Badgers are led by Miami transfer quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who is looking to establish the “Air Raid,” which offensive coordinator Phil Longo has mentioned several times throughout the season and offseason. Wisconsin’s offense relies on a strong running game, with running back Chez Mellusi receiving the bulk of the carries, while Cade Yacamelli and Oklahoma transfer Tawee Walker share the remaining reps.
Despite not playing the Crimson Tide since 2015, head coach Luke Fickell coached against them with Cincinnati in the 2021 Cotton Bowl,
losing 6-27.
As the game approaches, Alabama enters as 15.5-point favorites, setting the stage for a demanding challenge for the Badgers. This game is one of a series of non-SEC road games the Crimson Tide has scheduled. They will face off against Big Ten rivals Ohio State in 2027 and Minnesota in 2032. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m., with Big Noon Kickoff starting at 9 a.m. in front of the Kohl Center. This marks the first time Wisconsin has hosted Big Noon Kickoff since their matchup against Michigan in 2021. The Badgers will travel to Tuscaloosa next year on Sept. 13 to complete the series.
The game that could change Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin career
By Jacob Szczap SENIOR STAFF WRITER
As the final seconds ticked off the clock in Wisconsin’s 27-13 win over South Dakota Sept. 7, a familiar ambiance fell over Camp Randall Stadium. Sure, the Badgers were victorious, finding the second win of their young season. But the mood sure wasn’t joyous.
Now into the second season of the Luke Fickell era in Madison, it has become obvious that something is lacking. Head coach Luke Fickell’s hiring in November 2022 marked an exciting turn in the trajectory of Wisconsin’s football program, but the bonanza of excitement following his hire morphed into more than a year of uninspiring results.
With the almighty Alabama Crimson Tide paying a visit to Madison this weekend, Wisconsin continues to feel stuck in a constant state of drab.
Given two weeks of early-season tune-ups to prepare for one of the most highly anticipated match-ups in Camp Randall history, the Badgers have done little to put any doubts of an old-fashioned blowout to rest.
In Week 1, Wisconsin trailed Western Michigan in the fourth quarter before prevailing late in a 28-14 win. Last week, after an early 14-0 lead, the Badgers allowed South Dakota to get as close as 17-13 in the second half.
With two unstimulating victories, Wisconsin has yet to prove they are any better than the lackluster 7-6 version of themselves they presented last season.
Now, college football’s premier program is coming to town. Alabama has been at the top of college football’s food chain for most of this century, winning six national championships in the past 15 years and appearing in more College Football Playoffs than any other program. The type of success achieved in Tuscaloosa is something programs like Wisconsin dream of.
In their first year since the retirement of its all-time great head coach Nick Saban, Alabama looks like they have no plans of relinquishing its historic success. Under former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer, Alabama started their season with a 63-0 drubbing of Western Kentucky and a 42-16 victory over South Florida.
Beating Alabama will be a monumental challenge for Wisconsin, and everyone in the program knows it.
“It’s the top team in college football in the last 20 years,” Fickell said after the South Dakota victory. “It’s been hanging over the top of your head from the time you walked in the door here.”
But Saturday’s game against Alabama is more than just a marquee showdown against one of college football’s most successful programs. It will be a valuable measuring stick for Wisconsin’s program in what so far is the biggest game of the Luke Fickell era.
Currently the 15.5 point underdogs, it’s obvious the Badgers face a monumental challenge on Saturday. But in the same token, Wisconsin also receives a massive opportunity to gain a program-altering win.
Beating Alabama would change the trajectory of a team seemingly stuck in neut
Fickell was hired two years ago to win games like the one ahead.
“We have the same expectations, championship-level expectations,” athletic director Chris McIntosh said back in November 2022.
So far into Fickell’s tenure, Wisconsin expectations simply have not been close championship-level. Last season’s back-to-back losses at Indiana and to Northwestern prove that, as do the lackadaisical performances thus far into this season.
But a win against a program like Alabama would change everything. Suddenly, Wisconsin could skyrocket back into relevancy. For the first time, Fickell’s vision could produce the actual feel-good results everyone involved in the program has been searching for.
Fickell’s hiring made perfect sense, and it still does. When McIntosh hired Fickell, he brought in a big-name, energetic hire to usher in a new era of Badger football. In an increasingly changing time in college football, Fickell was hired to navigate Wisconsin through the recruiting, transferring and Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) mania that modern college athletics present.
And thus far, Fickell has excelled in those aspects. He has delivered in recruiting, bringing in classes of nationally recruited prospects and bolstering the program’s future. Wisconsin’s 2024 class ranked 23rd in the nation, its best since 2021.
Fickell also transitioned elegantly
to the transfer portal as Wisconsin fields multiple transfer starters.
And the development of The Varsity Collective, Wisconsin’s NIL program, has allowed Fickell proper resources in the age of player compensation. If there is someone at Wisconsin who represents the recognition that adapting to changes is necessary in this age of college sports, it is Fickell.
Clearly, since the day he was hired, Fickell has been building Wisconsin’s program admirably, making Wisconsin’s uninspiring play the last two seasons all the more frustrating. But what has Fickell been building for if it isn’t for this game? He said it himself when he told reporters this game has been hanging over his head since his arrival in Madison. If his hiring was truly supposed to make Wisconsin championship contenders for the long-term future, beating Alabama would prove that.
More than that, it would send an energy wave through a program that desperately needs one and create a tide of momentum that Fickell and the Badgers could ride through the rest of this season and into the future.
Wisconsin has been searching for a signature win for the better part of the last decade. A victory over Alabama would be that and then some.
If Wisconsin bows down to the mighty Crimson Tide on Saturday, the doubts surrounding Fickell and his team will continue. But if the Badgers are able to stay in the game and maybe, just maybe, take down Alabama, they would be able to turn the page on a forgettable era.
MAGGIE SPINNEY/THE DAILY CARDINAL
gameday
Can the Badgers keep a winning record this season?
By Dylan Goldman SENIOR STAFF WRITER
The University of WisconsinMadison Badgers returned to Camp Randall Friday to open the season as they took on Western Michigan University.
A lot has changed from last year: the Badgers have a new quarterback, plenty of transfers and a revamped Big Ten that includes four new programs. This year, they are looking for improvement after finishing the last two seasons with an identical 7-6 record.
With a mixture of returning talent and transfer portal pickups, the Badgers should be in a position to improve on last year’s mediocre record. But they will have to contend with the new 18-team Big Ten that has two powerhouses on their schedule this year. Wisconsin started the season 2-0 with a 28-14 victory over Western Michigan and a 27-13 win against South Dakota. Still, their performances left room for improvement.
Let’s predict how the rest of the season might turn out:
Week 3: Vs. Alabama
The season heats up very quickly as one of the best programs in college football history comes to Madison for a non-conference clash. The University of Alabama dominated college football in the 2010s, winning four national
championships and in 2020 added a fifth championship in nine years. Last season, however, head coach Nick Saban retired, and former Washington coach Kalen Deboer will face the first big test of his tenure when the Tide arrive at Camp Randall.
Alabama returns several high quality talents including quarterback Jalen Milroe, who threw 23 touchdowns and ran for 12 more last season. But the Tide did lose some impact players to the draft and the transfer portal. They are still ranked as the number four team in college football.
Wisconsin needs quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to have his first signature moment and for the defense to limit Milroe’s explosiveness. While Alabama will get off to a slow start, their overall talent will power through and deliver a victory for the Crimson Tide.
Final Score: Alabama 31, Wisconsin 17
Week 5: At USC
The expanded Big Ten forces the Badgers to make the long trip to Los Angeles to take on the University of Southern California.
USC had a disappointing season last year, and former Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams is off to the NFL. But USC returns a lot of skill position talent, and its new quarterback Miller Moss is expected to develop well under quarter-
back coach Lincoln Riley. After a disappointing campaign last year, USC hired defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn to revamp its defense. Coming off the bye with a long flight will be tough for the Badgers. Ultimately, USC will use home field to their advantage and hand the Badgers their first loss of the season.
Final Score: Trojans 28, Badgers 24
Week 6: Vs. Purdue
Wisconsin won their last 17 matchups against Purdue University, including a 38-17 thumping in West Lafayette last season. Purdue made the Big Ten Championship in 2022 but lost their head coach Jeff Brohm to Louisville.
The Boilermakers struggled under first-year head coach Ryan Walters last season, finishing with
a 4-8 record. This year, they return quarterback Hudson Card. Purdue will have to improve a defense that ranked last in the conference in points allowed last year. The Badgers will beat Purdue for an 18th straight time.
Final Score: Badgers 31, Boilermakers 21
Week 7: @ Rutgers
Rutgers is no joke. Coach Greg Schiano has the Scarlet Knights trending upwards. Rutgers returns 14 starters from last year’s team that won the Pinstripe Bowl and added former Minnesota quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis.
Rutgers hung around against Wisconsin last year but was held back by subpar quarterback play. The Scarlet Knights will push Wisconsin to the brink, but the Badgers will pull it out just barely.
Final Score: Badgers 24, Scarlet Knights 21
Week 8: @ Northwestern
Northwestern University handed Wisconsin their most embarrassing loss of last season when they stormed into Camp Randall and won 24-10.
The Badgers will likely not forget the humiliation they faced on their home field last year. The Wildcats are to be taken seriously, though, as they finished with eight wins last year with now full-time head coach David Braun at the helm.
Northwestern will be led by Mississippi State transfer quarterback Mike Wright. They proved they should not be underestimated last year, but the Badgers will be hunting for revenge and will get it in Evanston.
Final Score: Badgers 34, Wildcats 24
Week 9: Vs. Penn State
Penn State finished 10-3 last season with a loss in the Peach Bowl to Ole Miss. They were ranked eighth in the preseason AP rankings, returning junior quarterback Drew Allar.
The Nittany Lions also had the third best defense in the conference last year. However, they play Ohio State right after they’re going to fall into the trap at Camp Randall.
Final Score: Badgers 20, Nittany Lions 17
Week 10: @ Iowa
Iowa is not the opponent you want to face after a signature win, especially at Kinnick Stadium.
Iowa’s defense has stifled
Wisconsin in consecutive victories, including a 15-6 win last year. Clearly, the Badgers should be better, but Iowa should have a defense similar to the one that was the best in the Big Ten last year. Combine their defense with what should be an improved offense under new offensive coordinator Tim Lester, and the Badgers’ good times stall out in Iowa City.
Final Score: Hawkeyes 21, Badgers 17
Week 12: Vs. Oregon
The Ducks are the most dangerous addition to the Big Ten. They are ranked as the #3 team in the country and went 11-2 last year with both losses coming to Washington. Oregon finished last season with the best defense in the Pac-12. On the other side, they added Oklahoma transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns last season.
Head coach Dan Lanning is building a juggernaut at Oregon. The Badgers can put up a fight, the Ducks will be too much to handle.
Final Score: Ducks 31, Badgers 17
Week 13: @ Nebraska
The Badgers have won 10 straight games against Nebraska dating back to 2012. However, the last three matchups have been close calls. Nebraska finished 5-7 under head coach Matt Rhule last year, but lost several close games. They’re expected to be much improved with five-star recruit freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola. Wisconsin surely has Nebraska’s number, but the Cornhuskers will finally beat the Badgers in a close home victory.
Final Score: Cornhuskers 27, Badgers 24
Week 14: Minnesota @ Wisconsin
At this point, the Badgers hypothetically would be reeling coming off a three-game losing streak. However, they should be able to get up for the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. The Badgers’ archrivals finished 6-7 last year. They only got into a bowl game because there weren’t enough eligible teams. Also, Minnesota lost their quarterback to Rutgers, and they’re not trending in the right direction under head coach PJ Fleck. The Badgers will bounce back and the season on a high note.
Final Score: Badgers 31, Golden Gophers 17
Record: 7-5
MEGHAN SPIRITO/
‘Jumping’ into the history of UW’s iconic gameday songs gameday
By Caroline McGartland STAFF WRITER
The ground is shaking. The stadium rocks from side to side. People are falling out of the stands. Is this an earthquake?
No — it’s just “Jump Around” at Camp Randall.
The iconic song has become a staple at University of WisconsinMadison gamedays, sending every Badger fan into extreme excitement at the end of the third quarter.
Along with the House of Pain song, Wisconsin fans also sing along to “Varsity” and “Build Me Up Buttercup.” These traditions are near-universally known to Badgers fans, but their origins are more opaque.
“Varsity” has been a tradition for more than a century. The song originated from a Latin hymn titled “Domine Salvum Fac” written by a French composer before 1898, when a School of Music student, Henry Dyke, created a new version for the time named “Varsity Toast.” A former Wisconsin band director finalized the current version of the song in 1934. Now, countless Badgers fans know the lyrics by heart.
The joyous feeling of linking
arms with fellow Badgers boosts one’s school pride through the roof. Singing off-key doesn’t matter when it comes to “Varsity,” but fans can channel their inner Taylor Swift with a sing-along to “Build Me Up Buttercup.” The idea behind adding this song to Camp Randall traditions strictly came from its popularity. Following the release of the 1998 movie “There’s Something About Mary” featuring the song, fans adopted the tune as a sing-along.
By the early 2000s, it was a staple at Camp Randall as students sang along well after the DJ had stopped.
Intertwined with “Jump Around” is the student section race, where the letters of each section pop up on the big screen. Why does this occur? Kevin Kluender, former assistant athletic director for marketing and promotion, told Isthmus he recalled the race starting in 1998 along with “Jump Around” as a way to hype up the crowd. Looking back, the “big screen” consisted merely of dot matrix letters moving on the board to determine the winner, but it did the job of firing everyone up.
Now, the history of the iconic song that shakes the entire sta-
dium: “Jump Around” by House of Pain. As someone who has experienced the shaking of this song — which has even registered on seismic scales — first-hand from inside the press box, nothing compares to this tradition.
The start of this famous tradition aligns with the start of the student section race back on Oct. 10, 1998 at the Homecoming game against Purdue. Class of 1999 tight end and Wisconsin Athletics marketing intern Ryan Sondrup sat out the game due to injury, so he made a playlist of hype songs for the stadium to use with his fellow teammate. They used a jukebox at Wando’s to test out the songs and pick the final playlist.
The Purdue team, led by quarterback Drew Brees, made a drive toward the end zone at the start of the fourth quarter and had all the momentum on their side. It was then that the first earthquake at Camp Randall occurred. The song blasted through the speakers, and the fans jumped to their feet and sang. Kluender likes to believe this song was the reason for the Badgers’ comeback 31-21 victory.
Since this game, for all except one, the Badgers have jumped.
After renovations to Camp Randall in 2003, the administration asked to not play “Jump Around” as they feared the stadium could not withstand 76,000 jumpers. The lack of jumping caused outcry among fans, and administrators quickly looked for an engineer’s approval that Camp Randall would be fine.
And Camp Randall is more than fine. It’s fantastic.
These traditions are so much more than just inside that stadium. “Varsity”
is a time to connect and link arms with the family of the UW-Madison, and “Build Me Up Buttercup” is about singing your heart out.
“Jump Around” has even become a pivotal part of the commencement ceremonies, where students can jump around with their class for the final time in their student career. Graduating from UW-Madison does not stop one’s ability to “Jump Around”. It is just the launching point of showing off school pride.
MAGGIE SPINNEY/THE DAILY CARDINAL
gameday
Five keys for Wisconsin football to beat Alabama
By Grace Cannizzo STAFF WRITER
The University of Wisconsin-Madison football team will attempt to defend their home field Saturday as they will face their biggest challenge of the season yet: No. 4 University of Alabama.
What has to go right for the Badgers for them to have a legitimate shot against the Crimson Tide? Here’s what the team needs to secure a Badger win.
Wisconsin needs to epitomize Phil Longo’s air-rade offense
The Badgers’ offensive coordinator, Phil Longo, has been adamant about his strategy to form an air-raid offense, or an offense out of a shotgun formation that excels in gaining yardage by passing and receiving.
Wisconsin quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is known for his passing game. The senior transfer from Miami completed 2,703 passing yards last year. But in his first two games in a Wisconsin uniform, Van Dyke has a slightly lower 60.3% average completion rate. For Wisconsin to have a good shot against Alabama, Van Dyke’s average completion rate must hit the mid-60s range, aligning with what it has been in the past.
Van Dyke has quality wide receivers who will need to step up big time Saturday, more so than they have so far. Junior Will Pauling averaged just over 64 receiving yards per game last season but has only averaged 54 yards this season. Those extra ten yards could be the difference between a successful thirddown conversion and having to punt the ball away. Trech Kekahuna and C.J. Williams are two other players that are in a position to contribute to the team’s air-raid success.
The Badgers must have an excellent third quarter
Statistically, Alabama has recently performed their worst in the third quarter. This season, the Crimson Tide has outscored their opponent 105-16. However, in the third quarter, they only outscored their opponent by 14-7. When excluding third-quarter play, Alabama has scored an average of 16.5 points and only allowed 1.5 points against opponents per quarter.
It isn’t just this season that the third quarter is an outlier to their success. In the final three games of last year’s regular season, Alabama scored more than double the points their opponent did but only scored roughly 1.5 times as many in the third quarters.
That may not sound like a big difference, but Wisconsin must use any edge that they can over Alabama. In a game of inches, taking full advantage of this weakness can be the game’s difference.
Wisconsin must have excellent coverage of some of the best players in the country
Alabama running back Justice Haynes has averaged 74.5 rushing yards per game this season. Haynes rushed an 85-yard-long touchdown against Western Kentucky, the NCAAF’s longest rushing touchdown this season.
Running back Jam Miller, Haynes’ teammate, averages 98 rushing yards per game.
Ryan Williams, the Crimson Tide’s wide receiver, has three touchdowns on the season and averages 103.5 receiving yards per game and 34.5 yards per completion. Williams currently boasts the tenth-best receiving average in the country.
During last week’s 27-13 win against South Dakota, officials ejected Wisconsin’s star linebacker Jake Chaney in the third quarter. This means Chaney will also have to miss the first half of this weekend’s game, adding to the importance of a strong defensive performance
Has Wisconsin ever faced Alabama?
By Molly Sheehan SPORTS EDITOR
Wisconsin has only geared up against Alabama twice in program history. The first, hosted at Camp Randall in 1928, saw an athome win for the Badgers. During the second — a season opener in 2015 that took place in Arlington, Texas — the Badgers fell 35-17.
When the teams first met on Nov. 3, 1928, college football was still coming of age. The Big Ten comprised 10 schools, as opposed to the new 18-school conference it is today, and the SEC hadn’t yet formed as Alabama entered their seventh season as a member of the Southeastern Conference.
The Badgers welcomed the Crimson Tide to Madison with a 15-0 shutout in 1928. Despite having back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances at the time, one being a victory, Alabama was not the powerhouse they are widely recognized as today. But the game made for an interesting match-up even if the score didn’t show it.
from the Badgers.
Safety Hunter Wohler has been a brick wall for the team, but he will need others to help stop Alabama’s talent.
The Badgers must have quality punts and kickoff returns
Wisconsin’s kick returner Trech Kekahuna has been inconsistent in punt and kickoff returns this season. Kekahuna gained just a total of 3 yards on two kickoff returns against Western Michigan.
But Kekahuna ran 62 yards on three kickoff returns against South Dakota, sparing his team from having to start their drive from deep in their own end with each of these three punts.
Kekahuna is clearly capable of returning the ball well, and he must be consistent against Alabama to give his team good field position. Additionally, if followed by a weak drive by the Badgers’ offense, a poor kickoff return could result in Wisconsin being forced to punt from deep in their own end, giving Alabama good field position.
Kekahuna’s returns have implications beyond Wisconsin’s offensive positioning.
Wisconsin must take risks
Wisconsin won’t comfortably beat Alabama. Defeating this elite team requires making risky plays. Head Coach Luke Fickell made the call for the Badgers to attempt a fourth and goal play on Saturday against South Dakota, and it was just inches from the end zone. Wisconsin went on to win the game by two touchdowns, and Fickell’s decision was exactly what Wisconsin must be willing to do against Alabama.
Wisconsin can’t beat Alabama without attempting at least one risky play similar to the one against South Dakota. But with these five keys, they may just shock the country.
ing a 15-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
“Wisconsin showed us one of the greatest teams we have ever met in an intersectional game,” head coach Wallace Wade said. “The team was much stronger than we expected to find. Coach Thistlethwaite has a well-balanced line and deceptive, hardrunning backs.”
“Alabama just simply wasn’t entitled to beat Wisconsin,” Wade noted.
Although Wisconsin prevailed in their first head-tohead against Alabama, their next meeting didn’t proceed as comparably. Their Sept. 5, 2015 matchup saw the No. 3 Crimson Tide defeat the No. 20 Badgers 35-17.
To close out the first quarter, Wisconsin’s running back Harold Smith rushed for 15 yards to give the Badgers a 6-0 lead. Their defense then shut down Alabama inside the one-yard line in the second quarter to give the Badgers possession. Following a 33-yard field goal from Badgers kicker August Backus, quarterback Francis “Bo” Cuisinier cemented the win for Wisconsin after add-
Alabama had transformed from the 1928 squad into the notorious Nick Saban-led powerhouse current college football fans are familiar with. The Badgers, who were entering their first year under head coach Paul Chryst, held on as the game commenced. They trailed by a touchdown at halftime but ultimately could not keep up with the eventual national champions and Heisman trophy winner Derrick Henry.
When the Crimson Tide returns to Madison for the first time in 96 years on Saturday, it will be a matchup that will determine who takes a 2-1 edge in head-to-head competition.
Press Top 25
Georgia (54) 1566
Texas (4) 1492
Ohio State 1467
Alabama 1331
Ole Miss 1323
Missouri 1125
Tennessee 1107
Penn State 1090
Oregon 1077
Miami (FL) 1073
USC 1022
Utah 1010
Oklahoma State 672
Kansas State 702
Oklahoma 672
LSU 521
USA Today Coaches Poll
1. Georgia (50) 1346
2. Ohio State (3) 1281
3. Texas (1) 1259 4. Alabama 1157
5. Ole Miss 1136 6. Oregon 987 7. Penn State 956
8. Missouri 955 9. Tennessee 930 10. Utah 871 11. USC 803
12. Miami (FL) 798 13. Oklahoma 700
Oklahoma State 588
Kansas State 578
Michigan 501
LSU 410 18. Arizona 399 19. Notre Dame 388 20. Clemson 326
Louisville 288
Washington 176
Iowa State 157
Nebraska 91
Memphis 85
MAGGIE SPINNEY/THE DAILY CARDINAL
gameday
Column: Defensive keys for the Badgers against the Crimson Tide’s offense
By Morgan Feller STAFF WRITER
If you don’t know by now, the University of WisconsinMadison football team is hosting a darn good team on Saturday. The Alabama Crimson Tide will be rolling into Camp Randall with one of the best offensive players in college football: Jalen Milroe.
The six-foot-two, 225-pound quarterback is a force to be reckoned with and is on everyone’s mind heading into the weekend’s contest. But, unfortunately, Wisconsin’s defense has more to worry about than just Milroe.
Ryan Williams, a 17-year-old true freshman wide receiver, has turned heads so far this season, torching the past two defenses he has faced. Williams caught two passes for two touchdowns and 139 yards in his first game against Western Kentucky. The following week, Williams pulled a nasty stiff arm out of his back pocket, resulting in a 43-yard catch-and-run touchdown in their 42-16 win against the University of South Florida.
I could sit here for another couple hours and list off all the weapons this star-studded offense has but that would be no fun. Instead, we should dive into how the Badgers can try and stop Bama. Here are three keys Wisconsin’s defense will need to adopt for a chance to stop the Crimson Tide’s prolific offense.
Contain Jalen Milroe
I already mentioned’ Milroe is a great quarterback, but I didn’t touch on why he’s a threat to this Badgers defense. In the past, Wisconsin hasn’t fared well against elusive quarterbacks who can scramble at will. When the Badgers faced Washington State last year in week two, quarterback Cam Ward rushed for 70 yards against the Badgers.
Unluckily for Wisconsin’s defense, Milroe is exactly that.
In his first game against the Hilltoppers, the redshirt junior quarterback rushed 10 times for 86 yards and a pair of touchdowns, according to Alabama’s Athletic Page. In his second clash, Milroe took off for 47 rushing yards.
On the flip side, Milroe is susceptible to sacks when he tries to get too fancy, which is certainly a benefit for the Badgers. So, Wisconsin needs to put pressure on Milroe and make him feel uncomfortable.
Ideally, the Badgers’ initial pass rush can get the job done and sack the dangerous quarterback.
In the event that our defensive line can’t get the job done to pressure Milroe, Wisconsin’s defense will need to exploit the quarterback blitz. In a perfect world, a Badger blitz would get to Milroe quickly, fluster him and drop him for a loss of yards.
It’s likely the Katy, Texas native will escape from the pocket if Wisconsin blitzes though. This is where Milroe has separated himself as an elite quarterback. His ability to make unscheduled throws on the run and plays with his legs makes him top tier.
The final thing the Badgers can do to contain Milroe with this defensive scheme is to have a quarterback spy. I’m not going to comment on who should be the spy, because the people I would want to be a spy play an important role in my next key.
A quarterback spy would hopefully be able to attack Milroe once he tries to break free from the pocket. If it appears the fourth-year quarterback is going to run, the Badgers’ spy needs to act quickly to address Milroe.
If Wisconsin’s defense can stop Milroe from running — or better yet, force sacks and turnovers — they will force him to make tough throws on the run. If Milroe succeeds in making these incredible throws, Alabama will win the game, and rightfully so.
Limit explosive plays
I think this key is pretty self explanatory.
Alabama is known for having a pretty good offense because they have the ability to rip defenses apart and take the life out of opposing stadiums with one explosive play.
Wisconsin can limit Alabama’s explosive, or ‘chunk,’ plays by playing a lot of zone defense.
Wisconsin needs two high safeties for almost every play in case the Tide’s playmakers blow by our cornerbacks. If the Badger’s initial defense gets burned, the high safeties can swoop in to hopefully save the day.
One of the main goals of playing zone here is to let many of the plays happen in front of you. If Wisconsin limits big gains by allowing the Crimson Tide to work under them, that would be a massive success.
Sure, Alabama will eventu-
ally march down the field if the Badgers are mainly trying to prevent massive gains, but if we can slow Alabama’s offense down and force some field goals in the red zone, Wisconsin might have a chance.
There’s one threat we need to pay attention to in particular, and I hope you haven’t forgotten about him after all the Milroe talk. I’m of course again talking about the 17-year-old Williams.
I already mentioned his impressive stats through two games, so I won’t make the Wisconsin faithful read through them again, but I can’t stress enough the importance of keeping this star player in front of the defense. The Badgers should be fine with Williams racking up yards on shorter plays instead of him beating us over the top and scoring at ease.
Keep Camp Randall packed
This doesn’t necessarily relate to the players, but I’m going to make an argument for why it does.
As a student who has attended every game for the past three (going on four) years, I’ve noticed students have an issue filling up the stadium by kickoff and leaving after “Jump Around.” I can say with confidence that will not be the case for this matchup. I have full faith the student section will be packed early and will stay bumping past Jump Around if the game is close.
The game being close is a big caveat though. If we’re getting blown out at halftime, students likely won’t even stay to jump.
Keeping the game close will keep the fans in the stadium, and I’m pinning that on the defense even more than the offense. I still think Wisconsin’s offense struggles against Alabama’s stout defense, but it’s more important the defense keeps us in this game rather than the offense.
If Wisconsin’s defense can execute the first two keys successfully, I think my final key will fall into place. It’s no secret that Camp Randall is a hard environment to play in, and I think it’s very possible the Tide’s offense gets flustered in the first half.
With all that being said, if the defense keeps the Badgers in the game, a raucous crowd will be kept in the game as well, and maybe, just maybe, the Badgers can pull off one of the biggest upsets in program history.
MAGGIE SPINNEY/THE DAILY CARDINAL
As t h e sc hoo l yea r b egi n s, I wo u l d l i ke to t a ke t h i s sp e ci a l m o m e nt to we l co m e yo u bac k to ca m pu s.
It feels like yesterday that I was a student at Howard University. I found forever friends, people who shaped me and supported me. I found my beloved Alpha Kappa Alpha sisters We danced on Friday nights and protested on Saturdays. Like many, college is when I started to become politically engaged Together, we learned that progress happens in our country when young people fight for it.
Throughout my travels as Vice President, I love talking to young leaders I am continually amazed by your grit, your perseverance, your intellect, and your deep passion for making our world better
It is because of the record turnout among college students in 2020 that I am Vice President today. And to win this election, I need your support.
This November, so many of our fundamental freedoms are at stake The freedom to vote. The freedom to live safe from gun violence. The freedom to love who you love, openly and with pride The freedom to breathe clean air and drink clean water. And the freedom to make decisions about your own body But we’re not going back
Later this semester, you will have the opportunity to vote in an election that will decide the future of our country You will have the power to shape our future. To continue to build a country you want to live in—one where your fundamental rights are protected—by taking to the ballot box and making your voice heard.
Your vote has never mattered more. When young people fight for progress, it changes the course of our nation. I believe in you. I am inspired by you.
And I am rooting for your success.
Sincerely,
Vice President Kamala Harris
