What to expect from Wisconsin, Camp Randall, per ex-Big Ten players

CJ Dippre can be confident his experience at Camp Randall Stadium this week will be different than the last time he played in Madison, Wisconsin.

“When I played there … it was like -8 degrees,” said the Alabama football tight end Tuesday. “Storming. Coldest game I’ve ever played in.”

There are no certainties with weather, but it’s safe to say it won’t be that cold Saturday (11 a.m. CT, FOX) when No. 4 Alabama travels to face the Badgers for the first time since 1928.

Despite the lack of familiarity with Camp Randall Stadium for most of the Alabama roster, there are a few who played against Wisconsin at previous schools.

Dippre was a tight end for Maryland in 2021 and 2022 before he transferred to Alabama for the 2023 season. He played the Badgers on Nov. 5, 2022 in Madison, a game the Terrapins lost 23-10.

The team for which he plays now is in a much different spot two years later. Alabama enters the game as the favorite and one of the top ranked teams in the country,

“They’re going to bring their best,” Dippre said. “They’re going to fill it up. They’ve been looking forward to this game for some time, just like everybody does. Everyone wants to knock off the top dog, and that’s us right now. I’m really excited to get back in an away environment.”

Alabama receiver Germie Bernard hasn’t played at Camp Randall, but he has been on a team that played the Badgers. Before Bernard transferred to Washington for 2023, he was a member of Michigan State’s 2022 team.

The Spartans won that game in East Lansing, Michigan 34-28 in overtime. Bernard only saw three snaps on offense in that game, per Pro Football Focus. But the Badgers left an impression nonetheless.

“I know they’re a physical team,” Bernard said, “and that we’ll have to go out there and play hard and not play them lightly.”

Dippre expects the Badgers to be tough as well.

“They’re going to come hit you in the mouth,” Dippre said. “We’ve just got to be ready and Bama play Bama ball.”