Top 5 matchups for Week 3 of the 2024 college football season
3. No. 4 Alabama vs. Wisconsin – Saturday, Noon ET, FOX
It鈥檚 not often that Alabama travels to play a true non-conference road game in Big Ten country as the Crimson Tide haven鈥檛 done so since playing at Penn State in 2011. That will change on Saturday as Alabama and Wisconsin begin a home-and-home series in Madison. The two programs have only played each other twice with Wisconsin winning 15-0 way back in 1928 while the Crimson Tide dominated the teams鈥� more recent matchup in Arlington, Texas in 2015.
The third contest between the two has No. 4 Alabama slated as a significant 15-point favorite. Even though Nick Saban is gone, the Tide have been dominant to start the Kalen DeBoer era with a 63-0 win over Western Kentucky in Week 1 and another blowout over South Florida in Week 2. As usual, Alabama鈥檚 defense is littered with talent, including leading tackler Jihaad Campbell. The same can be said for the offense as Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have formed a nice backfield duo while quarterback Jalen Milroe has been solid, particularly when throwing to standout receiver Ryan Williams.
Wisconsin seems capable of slowing down Alabama鈥檚 offense, but its defense will need to be better against the run, something the Badgers have struggled with in a pair of two-touchdown victories over Western Michigan and South Dakota. Wisconsin鈥檚 offense hasn鈥檛 exactly found its stride yet either with new quarterback Tyler Van Dyke but still maintains a lot of weapons. The Badgers will need to be nearly perfect to earn the program鈥檚 first signature win in a few years, while a victory for Alabama would be another positive on the playoff resume.
