Bama returns to form in drubbing of Wisconsin
Alabama seems to have found some footing in the wake of the opening season loss to FSU.
By: Dave in Tuscaloosa
After Alabama’s stunning upset at the hands of Florida State in the opener three weeks ago, panic set in throughout Crimson Tide Nation. After last week’s thumping of the University of Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and yesterday’s drubbing of unbeaten Wisconsin, panic is starting to subside.
Led by another stellar performance from quarterback Ty Simpson and an overall strong effort from all in Crimson, Bama routed their opponent from the Big Ten, 38-14 at Bryant-Denney Stadium. The win improves the Tide’s record to 2-1 on the season and, more importantly, provides much-needed confidence heading into a bye week before traveling to face unbeaten Georgia in Athens. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s first trip to Tuscaloosa proved to be a miserable one for the Badgers, and the loss dropped the visitors to 2-1 as well.
It was a dominating performance from the start, as the Bama offense rolled over a strong Badger defense to the tune of 454 yards, with 382 coming through the air off the arm of Simpson. The junior signal caller spread the wealth through the air, as he distributed the ball to eight different receivers and ended up hitting 24/29 passes on the day. Simpson continues to look comfortable in the pocket and showed his accuracy by threading the needle numerous times to his talented receiving corps.
Leading the way was sophomore Ryan Williams, whose five catches for 165 yards and two touchdowns was his best performance since last season’s breakout game against Georgia. Germie Bernard continued his torrid start to the season, hauling in four passes for 62 yards and a touchdown, while Miami transfer Isaiah Horton had a nice day as well, catching five passes for 48 yards and a touchdown.
The ground game was held in check by Wisconsin’s talented front seven, who limited Bama ballcarriers to 72 total yards on 22 carries. Hope abounds that starting tailback Jam Miller will make his 2025 debut against Georgia. Meanwhile, the Tide defense had their second dominating performance in a row and held the Badger offense to a total of 209 yards. The Tide front seven recorded four total sacks and harassed quarterback Danny O’Neil all day. O’Neil, a transfer from San Diego State, got his second straight start after starter Billy Edwards went down in the Badgers opener. Safety Bray Hubbard picked off two passes as well.
After Wisconsin punted on their first possession, Bama moved the ball to their own 46 only to fail on 4th and 2. On the next play, Hubbard picked off his first pass of the day and set up Simpson and the Tide O on their own 39. Bama would get on the scoreboard first with Bernard running it in from two yards out, completing an 11-play, 61-yard drive to grab a lead they would not relinquish. After Wisconsin failed to move the ball, Bama took over at their own 35 and proceeded to march 65 yards in four plays. Bernard would score again, this time on a beautiful 41-yard pass from Simpson to put the Tide up 14-0 at the 12:05 mark of the second quarter.
After another Wisconsin punt, Bama would record its most impressive drive of the season, marching 98 yards in eight plays that culminated in a 13-yard strike from Simpson to Horton. Leading 21-0 at half, the Bama offense would strike on the first play of the third quarter. A double flea-flicker found Simpson with the ball, and a check-down pass to Williams resulted in a 75-yard touchdown that increased the lead to 28-0.
The Badgers answered with one of their few highlights as Vinny Anthony II took the ensuing kickoff 98 yards to cut the lead to 28-7. Bama would answer with a seven-play, 87-yard drive to score on their fifth straight possession. This time, Simpson would hit Williams, who made a nifty move to shed defenders and took it in from 41 yards to push the lead to 35-7. The fourth quarter would see Bama add a 33-yard Connor Talty field goal while Wisconsin scored its only offensive touchdown of the game, a 41-yard O’Neil to Jayden Ballard pass that closed the scoring at 38-14.
Alabama has dug out of the hole they created against Florida State and now have the opportunity for a statement win against Georgia. Bama has won nine of the last 10 against the Dawgs, and the last two games in Athens both went well for the Tide. In 2008, Nick Saban’s second year, the Tide rolled over Georgia 41-30, and in 2015, Bama and Derrick Henry pounded the Dawgs on their way to a national title, 38-10.
This year’s edition of the series will be a significant challenge for the Tide, as this will be the first time Bama has faced a Kirby Smart-coached Bulldog squad in Athens. Georgia is riding a 32-game home winning streak. Both teams will be coming out of bye weeks with momentum, as Georgia bested Tennessee on the road in overtime, 44-41.
The table is set for another Tide-Dawg classic. Here’s hoping the Tide shows up to the table ready to eat.
