Wisconsin won’t be the toughest team Alabama football faces this season. There will be more difficult matchups, and there will be more arduous tests.
You’ll take pummeling a Big Ten team on the road, though. Any day.
No. 4 Alabama cruised past Wisconsin 42-10 on Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium, what was the first road test for new coach Kalen DeBoer and his squad.
Jalen Milroe had another multi-score day through the air and the ground. Jam Miller showed off his speed. The defense created takeaways. Ryan Williams keeps scoring. The offensive line was finally healthy.
All of it amounted to a solid victory. Here’s how we graded the Crimson Tide (3-0) after the rout of Wisconsin (2-1).
Offense: A-
Alabama had a few three-and-outs, but that was one of few blemishes on an overall strong day. The offense produced explosive plays, on the ground and through the air. The offensive line protected Milroe and opened holes in the running game. There were no turnovers, and the Crimson Tide minimized penalties. A 42-point day against a Big Ten defense on the road is worthy of praise. The offense can clean up a few things, but that’s nitpicking a bit for a group that scored six touchdowns.
Defense: A
There’s a bit of an asterisk next to this as Alabama didn’t face Wisconsin’s starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke for much of the game. He left early in the first quarter with a knee injury. That put the Badgers in a tough spot, already facing an uphill battle against Alabama’s “Swarm” defense. At that point, facing a backup quarterback, the Crimson Tide defense took care of its business. It allowed only one score and 290 total yards of offense. Alabama also grabbed two takeaways, which the offense used to score twice. The defense also forced two fumbles that Wisconsin recovered. The Crimson Tide pressured the quarterback well and kept the Badgers to 3-of-14 on third downs. Overall, another fairly stout performance for the defense.
Special teams: B+
Kicker Graham Nicholson has yet to make a field goal this season. He attempted his first against Wisconsin, but he missed it from 46 yards out.
Otherwise, James Burnip boomed punts. He averaged 53 yards per punt, with a long of 64 yards.
A solid day because of Burnip’s outing, but Nicholson missing the kick dings this grade.
Coaching: A
The coaching staff made the right decision to switch Wilkin Formby out for Elijah Pritchett at right tackle. Meanwhile, the decision to be aggressive at the end of the first half also paid off with a scoring drive in 17 seconds. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s challenge to his players to get more takeaways also registered with the players, with the two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. Overall, a solid day of coaching to get the first road win of the season.
Overall: A-
Alabama shined overall in its first road game of the season. It wasn’t perfect, but it’s hard to knock a team much when it wins by 32 on the road against a Big Ten team.
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
