Crimson Tide vs. Badgers – By the Numbers

The Alabama Crimson Tide are hitting the road for the first time this season, traveling 870 miles from Bryant-Denny Stadium to Camp Randall Stadium to take on the Wisconsin Badgers. Wisconsin is one of the feature teams in the Big 10, with the Badgers hoping to make some noise in the new-look conference that brought in Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA for the first time in 2024.

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The SEC, Alabama's home conference, is the premier conference in college football, with 14 of the last 24 national champions hailing from the SEC. Alabama holds six of those, and former Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban holds seven.

It's a "Clash of the Titans" this weekend with the conferences lining up head to head for the second time this season. In week one, the SEC and the Big 10 lined up with the USC Trojans and the LSU Tigers. USC defeated LSU 27-20.

Take a look at Alabama and Wisconsin by the numbers this week as the Crimson Tide and the Badgers kick off on Saturday.

Winning Percentage

Alabama: 2-0 (1.000)
Wisconsin: 2-0 (1.000)

Total Offense

Alabama

Plays: 133
Yards: 993
Yards Per Game: 496.5
Yards Per Play: 7.47
Offensive TD: 15

Wisconsin

Plays: 150
Yards: 773
Yards Per Game: 386.5
Yards Per Play: 5.15
Offensive TD: 6

Total Defense

Alabama:

Plays: 149
Yards: 454
Yards Per Game: 227.0
Yards Per Play: 3.05
TD Given Up: 1

Wisconsin

Plays: 103
Yards: 498
Yards Per Game: 249.0
Yards Per Play: 4.83
TD Given Up: 3

Third Downs

Alabama:

Third Down Attempts: 26
Third Down Conversions: 13

Wisconsin:

Third Down Attempts: 30
Third Down Conversions: 17

Third Down Defense

Alabama

Opponent Third Down Attempts: 35
Opponent Third Down Conversions: 5

Wisconsin

Opponent Third Down Attempts: 21
Opponent Third Down Conversions: 5

Penalties Per Game

Alabama: 10 penalties per game (#125)
Wisconsin: 3.5 penalties per game (T #10)

Redzone Offense

Alabama (95th)

Redzone Attempts: 9
Redzone Rushing TD: 6
Redzone Pass TD: 1
Redzone Field Goals: 0
Redzone Scoring Percentage: 77.8%

Wisconsin (93rd)

Redzone Attempts: 10
Redzone Rushing TD: 5
Redzone Passing TD: 0
Redzone Field Goals: 3
Redzone Scoring Percentage: 80%

Redzone Defense

Alabama (25th)

Redzone Attempts: 6
Redzone Rushing TD Allowed: 1
Redzone Passing TD allowed: 0
Redzone Field Goals Allowed: 3
Opponent Redzone Scoring Percentage: 66.7%

Wisconsin (134th)

Redzone Attempts: 4
Redzone Rushing TD Allowed: 2
Redzone Passing TD allowed: 0
Redzone Field Goals Allowed: 2
Opponent Redzone Scoring Percentage: 100%

What Does All This Mean?

Alabama and Wisconsin will likely be a 'slugfest' of a football game. Both teams will look to run the ball effectively against defenses that have struggled against the run. Alabama is likely favored in this category with the stable of running backs the Crimson Tide have with Jam Miller, Justice Haynes, and Richard Young leading the group. Quarterback Jalen Milroe will almost certainly be used in Alabama's run game as well, with Milroe leading the team in rushing touchdowns this season with four. The offensive line will have to play at a high level. Alabama lost 173 yards and two rushing touchdowns due to penalties on the offensive line against South Florida. Alabama will need to play disciplined, smashmouth football to defeat the Badgers.

On the defensive side, Alabama will need to load the box against a Wisconsin rushing attack that will feature Chez Mellusi, Cade Yacamelli, and Tawee Walker. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke can run when needed, but he shouldn't provide the same challenge that Byrum Brown did for Alabama against South Florida. Mellusi leads the Badgers in rushing yards (134) and rushing touchdowns (3).

Notables

Wisconsin will be without starting Mike linebacker Jake Chaney for the first half due to a targeting call in the second half of Wisconsin's 27-13 win over South Dakota.

Alabama will be without backup linebacker Justin Jefferson for the first half due to a targeting call in the second half of Alabama's 42-16 win over South Florida.

Wyatt Fulton is the TIde 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.