If you were sitting in the red-tinted chaos of Camp Randall back in 2024, or maybe sweating it out in Tuscaloosa during the 2025 rematch, you know the vibe. There is a specific kind of tension when a Big Ten heavyweight tries to trade punches with the SEC’s gold standard. Most people look at the final scores—42-10 and 38-14—and assume it was just another "Bama being Bama" steamrolling.
But that’s not really the whole story. Honestly, the Alabama football vs Wisconsin matchups of the last two years were a bizarre case study in how small moments can completely derail a program’s momentum.
The Madison Meltdown and the Tyler Van Dyke "What If"
Everyone remembers Jalen Milroe carving up the Badgers in 2024. He was electric. Five touchdowns, three in the air and two on the ground. But before the rout started, Wisconsin had a genuine chance to make it a dogfight.
On the very first drive, Tyler Van Dyke looked crisp. He was five-for-five. The stadium was rocking, "Jump Around" was looming, and the Badgers were moving the sticks. Then, the knee injury.
Van Dyke went down, and the air just left the building. Braedyn Locke stepped in, and while he’s a gutsy kid, you could feel the shift. Wisconsin managed a field goal to lead 3-0, which turned out to be their only lead of the day.
Alabama didn't just win; they exploited the vacuum. Ryan Williams, who was basically a high schooler at the time, caught a 31-yard strike that made the Badger secondary look like they were standing in concrete. By the time Milroe scampered in for his second rushing touchdown to make it 35-10, the "explosivity" DeBoer talks about was on full display.
The 2025 Sequel: Ty Simpson Steps Up
Fast forward to September 13, 2025. Different year, same result, but a very different flavor. This time, it was at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Jalen Milroe wasn't the headline; it was Ty Simpson’s turn to shine.
Alabama entered the game ranked No. 19, a bit lower than the usual top-five billing fans are used to, following a rough season opener at Florida State. People were questioning if the Kalen DeBoer era was hitting a sophomore slump.
Ty Simpson responded by throwing for 382 yards and four touchdowns. The connection with Ryan Williams remained terrifying for opposing DCs. Williams hauled in five catches for 165 yards, including a 75-yard trick play touchdown on the first snap of the second half. It was a dagger.
Wisconsin, once again bitten by the injury bug, had to start Danny O’Neil because Billy Edwards was sidelined. The Badgers' offense just couldn't find a rhythm against an Alabama defense that suddenly found its pass rush, recording four sacks and two interceptions by Bray Hubbard.
Breaking Down the Numbers
The statistical gap in these two games is staggering when you actually look at the efficiency.
- Total Yardage: Alabama averaged nearly 8.7 yards per play in the 2025 meeting.
- Third Down Dominance: In 2024, the Tide held Wisconsin to a dismal 3-of-14 on third downs.
- The Williams Factor: Ryan Williams averaged over 50 yards per touchdown reception across these matchups. That’s not a stat; that’s a highlight reel.
Why the "Power Game" Failed Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s identity has always been the "O-Line U" approach. They want to move you three yards at a time until you break. But against Alabama, they averaged just 2.7 yards per rush in 2025.
Luke Fickell has been trying to modernize the Badgers' offense—moving toward a more "Dairy Raid" style—but it’s a difficult transition when you’re facing elite SEC speed. The Badgers aren't just losing on the scoreboard; they're losing the battle of identities. They aren't quite the smash-mouth team of the Bret Bielema era anymore, but they aren't the track stars that Alabama is either.
What This Series Tells Us About the Future
Alabama has now won three straight against Wisconsin (2015, 2024, 2025). The total score over the last two years is 80-24.
For Alabama, these games proved that the system is bigger than any one player. Whether it was Milroe or Simpson, the production didn't dip. For Wisconsin, it’s a wake-up call about depth. When their QB1 goes down, the gap between them and the elite tier of college football becomes a canyon.
If you're looking to understand the current state of Alabama football vs Wisconsin, look at the turnover margin. Alabama didn't turn the ball over once in the 2025 game while forcing two. In high-stakes non-conference games, that is usually the only stat that matters.
Actionable Takeaways for the Next Matchup
If these two meet again in a bowl game or a future scheduled series, keep these keys in mind:
👉 See also: Tom Brady vs Patrick Mahomes: What Most People Get Wrong
- Watch the Freshman Impact: Alabama has shown they will play young stars like Ryan Williams and Zabien Brown immediately. Don't bet against the "new" guys.
- Pressure the Backup: Wisconsin has struggled mightily with QB depth. If their starter isn't 100%, the Alabama pass rush will tee off.
- The 20-Yard Rule: Alabama leads the FBS in touchdowns of 20+ yards. Wisconsin's "bend-but-don't-break" defense tends to just break against that kind of speed.
The Crimson Tide have effectively turned the corner after their early 2025 struggles, outscoring their last two opponents 111-14. Wisconsin, meanwhile, heads into conference play needing to find an identity—and some healthy bodies—before the Big Ten schedule grinds them down.
Check the injury reports for the Badgers' offensive line before their next outing; that has been the quietest but most impactful factor in their recent slide. Monitoring the development of Bray Hubbard in the Alabama secondary is also vital, as he's emerged as a ball-hawk that changes the geometry of the field for opposing quarterbacks.