Wisconsin won’t be the toughest team Alabama faces this season. There will be tougher matchups and tougher tests.
But you would dare to destroy a Big Ten team on the road. Anytime.
No. 4 Alabama defeated Wisconsin 42-10 at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, which was the first away test for new coach Kalen DeBoer and his team.
Jalen Milroe again scored a lot of points in the air and on the ground that day. Jam Miller showed off his speed. The defense made sure the ball was won. Ryan Williams continued to score. The offensive line was finally healthy again.
All in all, it was a clear victory. That’s how we rated the Crimson Tide (3-0) after their victory over Wisconsin (2-1).
Attack: A-
Alabama had a couple of three-and-outs, but that was one of the few blemishes on an overall strong day. The offense produced explosive plays, on the ground and in the air. The offensive line protected Milroe and opened up gaps 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 commendable. The offense can fix a few things, but that’s a bit petty for a group that scored six touchdowns.
Defense: A
This comes with a bit of an asterisk, however, as Alabama did not face Wisconsin’s starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke for much of the game. He had to leave the game early in the first quarter due to a knee injury. This put the Badgers in a tough spot, as they were already facing an uphill battle against Alabama’s “Swarm” defense. At this point, facing a backup quarterback, the Crimson Tide defense took care of its business, allowing just one point and 290 total yards of offense. Alabama also managed a two-point takeaway that gave the offense two points. The defense also forced two fumbles that Wisconsin recovered. The Crimson Tide pressured the quarterback well, holding the Badgers to 3 of 14 third downs. Overall, another pretty strong performance from the defense.
Special teams: B+
Kicker Graham Nicholson has yet to make a field goal this season. His first attempt came against Wisconsin, but he missed from 46 yards.
Otherwise, it was James Burnip who did the punting. He averaged 53 yards per punt, with a longest of 64 yards.
It was a good day thanks to Burnip’s performance, but Nicholson’s missed kick detracts from the grade.
Coaching: A
The coaching staff made the right decision to replace Wilkin Formby at right tackle with Elijah Pritchett. At the same time, the decision to play aggressively at the end of the first half paid off with a scoring drive in 17 seconds. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s call for his players to get more possessions also resonated with the players, which was reflected in two forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. Overall, it was a solid day of practice to get the first road win of the season.
Overall: A-
Overall, Alabama shined in its first road game of the season. It wasn’t perfect, but it’s hard to blame a team much when they win by 32 points 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.
