The 19th-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide seeks to demonstrate their elite status in Week 3 when Wisconsin visits Bryant-Denny Stadium for a crucial non-conference showdown. Both programs face significant expectations and escalating pressure on their head coaches as they aim to establish themselves early in the season.
This comprehensive Alabama-Wisconsin preview features the most current PFSN player and team grades, along with essential insights and pre-game predictions for Saturday’s pivotal matchup. The analysis covers key storylines including Alabama’s bounce-back mentality after their season-opening loss and Wisconsin’s perfect 2-0 start as they travel to face one of college football’s most storied programs.
Wisconsin vs. Alabama Game Details
- Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
- Game time: Noon ET
- Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
- Predicted Weather at Kick: 93 degrees, mostly sunny, 5 mph winds
- How To Watch: ABC
Wisconsin vs. Alabama Head-to-Head Record
These two programs share a limited history, having faced each other just three times since their first meeting in 1928. Wisconsin claimed that inaugural contest 15-0 at home, but the teams wouldn’t meet again for an extraordinary 87-year gap until 2015. Alabama evened the series with a dominant 35-17 victory at a neutral site in Arlington, Texas, during their national championship season.
The Crimson Tide now leads 2-1 entering Saturday’s showdown after securing a convincing 42-10 road victory in Madison last season. Alabama’s recent dominance is evident in their scoring margin, outscoring Wisconsin 77-27 across their last two encounters while maintaining a perfect two-game winning streak since the series resumed.
Wisconsin vs. Alabama Name Grades
PFSN College OFFi
- Wisconsin (81.14, B-)
- Alabama (91.49, A-)
PFSN College DEFi
- Wisconsin (81.92, B-)
- Alabama (90.65, A-)
PFSN College OLi
- Wisconsin (68.71, D+)
- Alabama (78.04, C+)
PFSN College QBi
- Danny O’Neil, Wisconsin (79.3, C+)
- Ty Simpson, Alabama (89.7, B+)
PFSN College RBi
- Dilin Jones, Wisconsin (66.09, D)
- Kevin Riley, Alabama (75.39, C)
PFSN College WRi
- Trech Kekahuna, Wisconsin (76.22, C)
- Lotzeir Brooks, Alabama (80.08, B-)
PFSN College TEi
- Lance Mason, Wisconsin (82.85, B-)
- Josh Cuevas, Alabama (73.83, C)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Mason Reiger, Wisconsin (82.34, B-)
- LT Overton, Alabama (73.0, C)
PFSN College DTi
- Darryl Peterson, Wisconsin (78.31, C+)
- James Smith, Alabama (83.63, B)
PFSN College LBi
- Tackett Curtis, Wisconsin (79.39, C+)
- Justin Jefferson, Alabama (81.39, B-)
PFSN College CBi
- Omillio Agard, Wisconsin (74.43, C)
- Domani Jackson, Alabama (77.95, C+)
PFSN College SAFi
- Austin Brown, Wisconsin (74.98, C)
- Zabien Brown, Alabama (70.09, C-)
Wisconsin vs. Alabama Prediction
Despite an outstanding 73-0 Week 2 victory over Louisiana-Monroe, the ghosts of Week 1’s defeat to Florida State still linger for the Crimson Tide.
All Alabama can do now is prove that its loss to the Seminoles was an aberration. Week 3 presents an opportunity against a Power Four opponent that can also put some demons to bed.
Wisconsin enters Week 3 at 2-0 following a 42-10 victory over Middle Tennessee State, but games don’t come much tougher than on the road in Tuscaloosa.
The Badgers face the nation’s most difficult strength of schedule and were projected to win just 4.8 games this fall by PFSN’s preseason metric.
The situation has left Luke Fickell on the hot seat, knowing he needs statement wins against ranked opponents.
Scoring 28 unanswered second-half points showcased that Wisconsin has fight. Danny O’Neil stepped in for the injured Billy Edwards Jr. and effectively utilized his offensive weapons. However, a more difficult challenge awaits Saturday with the backup expected to start again as Edwards continues to be week-to-week.
The Alabama defense stepped up in Week 2 and will prove to be too powerful for Wisconsin if it continues to play at the same level. The unit was ranked eighth in PFSN’s College DEFi metric last week, with James Smith ranking 13th in PFSN College DTi.
Meanwhile, the Tide’s offense was electric, ranking second in PFSN College OFFi. Ty Simpson struggled in Week 1 but earned the highest quarterback grade with an 89.7 (B+) PFSN QBi mark against the Warhawks, completing all 17 pass attempts for 226 yards and three touchdowns. Furthermore, watch out Badgers as Ryan Williams is expected to play after suffering a concussion in Week 1.
These two teams are vastly different from those that met in Alabama’s 42-10 victory in 2024, but significant stakes remain for both programs.
The Crimson Tide should have the talent to outscore and outmatch the Badgers, but with pressure mounting on Kalen DeBoer, Wisconsin will look to take advantage of any lingering early-season jitters.
Prediction: Alabama 31, Wisconsin 16
