Rivals.com
THE CALL
By Tommy Deas
Offense
Edge: Even
Alabama would seem to have the overall edge in talent and explosiveness, but breaking in a new quarterback, a whole stable of new receivers and three new offensive line starters will involve some growing pains. Derrick Henry should thrive in the role as lead running back, with Kenyan Drake providing an electric presence. Wisconsin is a hard-nosed running team, and Corey Clement ran for 949 yards as backup to Melvin Gordon.
Defense
Edge: Alabama
This will be the first opportunity to see if the UA defense is as good as advertised. Reggie Ragland is at the heart of a front seven that should rival any that Alabama has ever put on the field, with Cyrus Jones serving as a leader in pass defense. Wisconsin has a mature secondary but a lot of youngsters up front. The Badgers were a bit soft against the run last season.
Alabama's defense should hold the edge over Wisconsin on Saturday.
Special teams
Edge: Alabama
If this becomes a battle of field position, Alabama punter JK Scott, who led the nation with a 48-yard average as a freshman last season, will be a major weapon. Adam Griffith has been a bit erratic, owing to back problems, and needs a strong start to the season. Wisconsin punter Drew Meyer was, at best, average last season, but kicker Rafael Gaglianone is a good one.
Coaching
Edge: Alabama
Wisconsin has a new head coach in Paul Chryst, who was solid but not spectacular in his previous stop at Pitt. He spent a long time as an assistant at Wisconsin previously and should be a good fit for the program. Alabama, of course, has Nick Saban, the most successful active coach in all of college football. Saban has set the highest of standards at Alabama with his national championship runs, and could be poised for another.
Intangibles
Edge: Wisconsin
Don't expect Wisconsin to be afraid of the big game or the big stage of AT&T Stadium. The Badgers are flying under the radar, but beat Auburn in a bowl game last year and should have defeated LSU. They could give Alabama major problems if they hang in there long enough. Alabama is the better team, but Wisconsin is big, strong and hard-nosed.
Prediction
Alabama 28, Wisconsin 14
Alabama often starts without a bang, and this could be one of those games. Expect the Crimson Tide to take a while to get all the cylinders clicking while the Badgers work to hang around in hopes of sneaking away with a victory. Alabama will prove to be too explosive in the end.
STAFF PICKS
Joey Chandler
Alabama 28, Wisconsin 21
This should be an entertaining game between two quality programs. It won't be a blowout, but as long as the Crimson Tide avoids any costly turnovers, it should have no problem getting a victory over the Badgers.
Caroline Gazzara
Alabama 21, Wisconsin 20
Just like last season, Alabama still doesn't know who's at QB. Wisconsin will give the Tide a run for its money but Alabama will prevail in the end. It will be a tough game to watch. Saban won't be happy about his team's performance.
Dan Sanger
Paul Chryst makes his debut as Wisconsin's head coach on Saturday.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 30, Wisconsin 15
Mix 'em. Match 'em. Play One, Get Two Free. Alabama's quest for a quarterback has seemed chaotic at times, even as Nick Saban has insisted that it's all for the good of the team. So assume that one or two quarterbacks do play well, and everything else (like the defense) is at its regularly advertised ferocity.
Ben Jones
Alabama 41, Wisconsin 10
The Badgers will be a better team this year than the final score indicates. Unfortunately, Wisconsin's attack plays to Alabama's strengths. Corey Clement figures to keep running the ball tonight, and Alabama won't have any shortage of defensive linemen or linebackers to counter him with.
Sean Landry
Alabama 34, Wisconsin 20
Alabama's QB(s) likely won't have an awe-inspiring debut, but with Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake and Damien Harris in the backfield, it won't matter. Defensively, Corey Clement will pose problems for the Tide, but he'll meet the business end of Reuben Foster, forcing the Badgers to test UA's cornerbacks outside.
Michael Southern
Alabama 30, Wisconsin 17
Facing Wisconsin is a straightforward task for Alabama. The Crimson Tide will be engaged in an old-school battle of wills against a team determined to run the ball. Expect some growing pains from whoever starts at quarterback for Alabama, so things will remain tight for a while.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 21, Wisconsin 14
The problem with season openers is you don't really have an idea of what to expect. What I do know is Wisconsin is a very good football team and the Crimson Tide will have its hands full. Throw in the fact Alabama has no clear-cut quarterback, and it's even more unpredictable.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 20, Wisconsin 10
I don't expect much offense in this game, and I suspect it will be closer than expected. Wisconsin will load the box and dare Alabama to make plays down the field. How successful whichever quarterback takes the field is against that will go a long way to determining the margin of victory.
- See more at: Staff picks and Tommy Deas' Final Call
THE CALL
By Tommy Deas
Offense
Edge: Even
Alabama would seem to have the overall edge in talent and explosiveness, but breaking in a new quarterback, a whole stable of new receivers and three new offensive line starters will involve some growing pains. Derrick Henry should thrive in the role as lead running back, with Kenyan Drake providing an electric presence. Wisconsin is a hard-nosed running team, and Corey Clement ran for 949 yards as backup to Melvin Gordon.
Defense
Edge: Alabama
This will be the first opportunity to see if the UA defense is as good as advertised. Reggie Ragland is at the heart of a front seven that should rival any that Alabama has ever put on the field, with Cyrus Jones serving as a leader in pass defense. Wisconsin has a mature secondary but a lot of youngsters up front. The Badgers were a bit soft against the run last season.
Alabama's defense should hold the edge over Wisconsin on Saturday.
Special teams
Edge: Alabama
If this becomes a battle of field position, Alabama punter JK Scott, who led the nation with a 48-yard average as a freshman last season, will be a major weapon. Adam Griffith has been a bit erratic, owing to back problems, and needs a strong start to the season. Wisconsin punter Drew Meyer was, at best, average last season, but kicker Rafael Gaglianone is a good one.
Coaching
Edge: Alabama
Wisconsin has a new head coach in Paul Chryst, who was solid but not spectacular in his previous stop at Pitt. He spent a long time as an assistant at Wisconsin previously and should be a good fit for the program. Alabama, of course, has Nick Saban, the most successful active coach in all of college football. Saban has set the highest of standards at Alabama with his national championship runs, and could be poised for another.
Intangibles
Edge: Wisconsin
Don't expect Wisconsin to be afraid of the big game or the big stage of AT&T Stadium. The Badgers are flying under the radar, but beat Auburn in a bowl game last year and should have defeated LSU. They could give Alabama major problems if they hang in there long enough. Alabama is the better team, but Wisconsin is big, strong and hard-nosed.
Prediction
Alabama 28, Wisconsin 14
Alabama often starts without a bang, and this could be one of those games. Expect the Crimson Tide to take a while to get all the cylinders clicking while the Badgers work to hang around in hopes of sneaking away with a victory. Alabama will prove to be too explosive in the end.
STAFF PICKS
Joey Chandler
Alabama 28, Wisconsin 21
This should be an entertaining game between two quality programs. It won't be a blowout, but as long as the Crimson Tide avoids any costly turnovers, it should have no problem getting a victory over the Badgers.
Caroline Gazzara
Alabama 21, Wisconsin 20
Just like last season, Alabama still doesn't know who's at QB. Wisconsin will give the Tide a run for its money but Alabama will prevail in the end. It will be a tough game to watch. Saban won't be happy about his team's performance.
Dan Sanger
Paul Chryst makes his debut as Wisconsin's head coach on Saturday.
Cecil Hurt
Alabama 30, Wisconsin 15
Mix 'em. Match 'em. Play One, Get Two Free. Alabama's quest for a quarterback has seemed chaotic at times, even as Nick Saban has insisted that it's all for the good of the team. So assume that one or two quarterbacks do play well, and everything else (like the defense) is at its regularly advertised ferocity.
Ben Jones
Alabama 41, Wisconsin 10
The Badgers will be a better team this year than the final score indicates. Unfortunately, Wisconsin's attack plays to Alabama's strengths. Corey Clement figures to keep running the ball tonight, and Alabama won't have any shortage of defensive linemen or linebackers to counter him with.
Sean Landry
Alabama 34, Wisconsin 20
Alabama's QB(s) likely won't have an awe-inspiring debut, but with Derrick Henry, Kenyan Drake and Damien Harris in the backfield, it won't matter. Defensively, Corey Clement will pose problems for the Tide, but he'll meet the business end of Reuben Foster, forcing the Badgers to test UA's cornerbacks outside.
Michael Southern
Alabama 30, Wisconsin 17
Facing Wisconsin is a straightforward task for Alabama. The Crimson Tide will be engaged in an old-school battle of wills against a team determined to run the ball. Expect some growing pains from whoever starts at quarterback for Alabama, so things will remain tight for a while.
Edwin Stanton
Alabama 21, Wisconsin 14
The problem with season openers is you don't really have an idea of what to expect. What I do know is Wisconsin is a very good football team and the Crimson Tide will have its hands full. Throw in the fact Alabama has no clear-cut quarterback, and it's even more unpredictable.
Aaron Suttles
Alabama 20, Wisconsin 10
I don't expect much offense in this game, and I suspect it will be closer than expected. Wisconsin will load the box and dare Alabama to make plays down the field. How successful whichever quarterback takes the field is against that will go a long way to determining the margin of victory.
- See more at: Staff picks and Tommy Deas' Final Call
