From Shaky to Solid
Just a week earlier, Alabama barely scraped by South Florida in what was one of their most mistake-ridden games in recent memory. That game was littered with errors—three lost fumbles and a jaw-dropping 13 penalties. Despite all that, they somehow managed to pull off a win. However, the Crimson Tide knew they had to clean up their act. In contrast, this week’s game against Wisconsin saw none of those issues. Alabama committed zero turnovers, had only four penalties, and forced the Badgers into making crucial mistakes, including four fumbles. The difference between the two performances was night and day.
Coach DeBoer pointed to their week of practice as the key to this change. “It just takes time,” DeBoer emphasized. “It takes repetitions for everyone, and we were much more in sync this week. Whether it was today or throughout our game-planning all week, there’s some recall with play calls from last week or the week before. It isn’t just us going against our defense. We’re seeing different looks.”
That extra effort in practice clearly paid off. The Crimson Tide not only avoided self-inflicted wounds but also capitalized on their opponent's errors, proving that they are learning and improving game by game. DeBoer’s attention to detail in practices, combined with the team’s focus, seems to be setting the tone for future games.
Milroe Making History
One of the most exciting elements of Alabama’s offense this season is the play of quarterback Jalen Milroe. Milroe is proving to be a dual-threat nightmare for opposing defenses. He became the first player since Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick in 2010 to record multiple passing and rushing touchdowns in each of his team’s first three games. Against Wisconsin, Milroe threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two more, keeping the Badger defense on its heels all night.
With an average of 7.3 yards per play and four scores of 26 yards or longer, Alabama's offense was firing on all cylinders. Freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams also had a huge game, catching a 31-yard touchdown pass and a 47-yard bomb that set up another score just before halftime. Williams continues to dazzle early in the season, making him one of the breakout stars to watch.
No Turnovers, No Problem
In Alabama's prior game against South Florida, turnovers were a huge issue, particularly for Milroe and running back Jam Miller, both of whom fumbled the ball away. But this week was a different story. Milroe and Miller were both more secure with the football, with Miller adding 71 rushing yards and a touchdown to his stat sheet.
After last week’s mistakes, Miller made it a point to focus on ball security. "After last week, I have to take that preparation on working on protecting the ball even more this week and for the rest of the weeks, in every game," Miller said. It’s clear he took that responsibility seriously, as Alabama didn’t lose a single possession to turnovers against Wisconsin.
Defense Dominates
Not to be outdone by the offense, Alabama’s defense came out strong against the Badgers, forcing four fumbles and recovering two of them deep in Wisconsin territory, both of which were converted into touchdowns. Standout defenders like LT Overton, Deontae Lawson, and Keon Sabb led the charge, showing that this Alabama defense is more than capable of creating big moments.
It was a full-team effort from the defense, with contributions coming from all levels of the field. The Crimson Tide showed their ability to not only stop their opponents but also to take the ball away and set up the offense for success. This kind of defensive dominance could be a game-changer as Alabama moves forward in their season.
Preparation for Camp Randall Stadium
Alabama knew that playing in Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium wouldn’t be easy. The home of the Badgers is famous for its electric atmosphere, especially when the crowd gets hyped up for the traditional "Jump Around" song before the fourth quarter. But Alabama had prepared for this too, playing the song during practice to get used to the noise and intensity they would face on the road.
Up 35-10 before the fourth quarter even began, Alabama’s players decided to join in on the fun. Wide receiver Germie Bernard, who scored his first touchdown for Alabama with just 19 seconds left in the first half, spoke about the moment. "We had a tough week of practice, listening to that jump song," Bernard said. "We were ready to shut that weak-ass jump song down. We were on the sideline, jumping up and just excited, enjoying the togetherness of our team."
That preparation helped Alabama stay focused and unfazed by the environment, showing once again that their work in practice translates directly to their performance on the field.
Looking Ahead
Now, Alabama has an open week to rest and prepare before one of the biggest matchups of their season: a home game against No. 1 Georgia on September 28. This could be the game that defines their season and puts them in the driver’s seat for a College Football Playoff spot. However, the team does have a few injury concerns heading into the bye week.
Standout safety Malachi Moore, who left the game in the third quarter against Wisconsin, is going through concussion protocol. However, DeBoer is optimistic that Moore will be ready to play against Georgia. Linebacker Qua Russaw is also being evaluated after suffering a lower-leg injury, but his status for the Georgia game remains uncertain.
Work in Progress
Despite the dominant win, DeBoer is still preaching patience and improvement. "There’s just playcalling rhythms and taking the field and how we communicate, just so many nuances that the great teams have," DeBoer said. "We’re a work in progress."
While Alabama showed plenty of flashes of greatness against Wisconsin, they know there’s always room for growth, especially with a matchup against the top-ranked team in the country looming. But if this week’s performance is any indication, the Crimson Tide are on the right track.
Alabama’s 42-10 win over Wisconsin wasn’t just a victory—it was a statement. They cleaned up their mistakes, showcased their explosive playmakers, and showed that they’re capable of competing with anyone. Now, all eyes are on that showdown with Georgia. If they continue to build on this momentum, Alabama could be a force to be reckoned with this season.
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