Alabama vs Wisconsin Odds & Picks Week 3: Tide To Stay Undefeated

Even for a Wisconsin program used to playing Ohio State and Michigan on a regular basis, it’s one of the biggest games in Camp Randall Stadium in years. Alabama travels outside its southern comfort zone to the land of beer and bratwurst, where the Crimson Tide opened as a commanding 15.5-point favorite for Saturday’s game.

The Badgers haven’t exactly been impressive so far, failing to cover as 24-point home favorites in a 28-14 victory over Western Michigan, and then dispatching FCS South Dakota only 27-13 last week. Alabama easily blew past Western Kentucky to cover as 31-point favorites, but then needed a fourth-quarter barrage to open up a close game against 31-point underdog South Florida last week.

Alabama vs Wisconsin Odds

Alabama vs Wisconsin Matchup Page, Saturday, 12:00 pm ET

Odds as of Sept. 10

Alabama vs Wisconsin Picks—Week 2

The last time Wisconsin hosted a nonconference team in the Top 10? Way back in 1989, when the swaggering Miami Hurricanes swept into Madison as 30-point favorites and left the wreckage of a 51-3 victory in their wake. Will it be that bad this time? Maybe not. But the Badgers don’t exactly inspire confidence, given they had to rally from a 14-13 fourth-quarter deficit to beat WMU in their opener.

Miami transfer Tyler Van Dyke has been efficient but unspectacular through two games as Wisconsin’s starting quarterback, managing just one touchdown pass over that span. While running back Chez Mellusi has been a consistent ground threat, Wisconsin just doesn’t have the pieces to keep up with an Alabama offense that’s averaging 52 points and nearly 500 yards of total offense per game.

The Badgers are going to have to turn this into a grinder, which they did to some effect against another high-octane opponent—Ohio State, which won 24-10 as a 14.5-point favorite in Madison last year. But even in that case, the outcome was never really in doubt. This is proving a slower-than-expected build for Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell, whose program isn’t quite yet at a level to make this the game everyone wants it to be. 

Alabama vs Wisconsin Week 3 Pick: Alabama -15.5 (-110)

Wisconsin’s defense under Fickell has been the program’s strong suit, allowing more than 24 points just twice in 2023 and opening with a pair of very stingy efforts to start this season. Expect Alabama to prioritize tempo and ball security after last week’s shaky first three quarters against USF, and for the Crimson Tide to pull away in the second half of a relatively low-scoring game.

Alabama vs Wisconsin Week 3 Pick: UNDER 51 (-105)

*picks made as of Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 9:00 am ET

Alabama vs Wisconsin Prop Pick: Jalen Milroe Anytime Touchdown (-160)

While the Alabama quarterback had some fumble issues last week against South Florida, he’s also proving especially efficient with both his arm and feet. The Tide QB has rushed for two TDs in each of his first two games, and DeBoer believes Milroe is just beginning to scratch the surface of what he’s capable of in this system. Against a physical opponent in a jacked-up road stadium, expect Milroe to lead the way.

Alabama vs Wisconsin Betting Trends