MADISON, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin’s football program has a chance in one afternoon to regain some of the national relevance it has lost over the past few years.
After finishing just one game above .500 three of the past four seasons, Wisconsin didn’t crack the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time since 2016. This Saturday, a rare visit from fourth-ranked Alabama (2-0) — a College Football Playoff team last season after beating Georgia in the Southeastern Conference title game — gives the Big Ten’s Badgers (2-0) an opportunity to show they are worth watching once again.
“If you want to be in the mix with the best, you want to be talked about like the best, you’ve got to beat the best,” Wisconsin left tackle Jack Nelson said. “That’s what we’re here to do.”
Alabama is a 16 1/2-point favorite, according to BetMGM. Wisconsin has never been that big a home underdog since at least 2005, which is as far back as BetMGM’s data goes. Alabama is visiting Camp Randall Stadium for the first time since a 15-0 Wisconsin victory in 1928.
“Over the last 20 years, who’s been the best team in college football? There’s no doubt it’s been Alabama,” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said. “Regardless of where they are at this moment, this is as good a football team that there is, and has been for a really, really long time. So no matter where you are as a program, it gives you an opportunity to assess a lot of different things.”