This week's matchup between a rising Wisconsin and a flailing Alabama team is headed towards must-see TV. While last year, the game was a blowout and not in Wisconsin's favor, it does seem like this year the game may be a bit tighter, and the Badgers could surprise. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer isn't taking any chances and doesn't want to take Wisconsin for granted.
DeBoer has been watching film on Wisconsin, and there is something that seems to worry him: The run defense. DeBoer is famous for coach speak, and he won't reveal his hand too much, but he did say that they see a problem with running the ball against Wisconsin, which they didn't have that issue last season.
"When it comes to the run game, every, just kind of, rock solid keeping things under wraps be it 60 or 70 yards total in rushing over two games. They do what they do and they got to do it with great technique and always. "Kalen DeBoer
Wisconsin's run game may be the biggest improvement from last year
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DeBoer is not wrong. When Wisconsin was headed into the Alabama game last year, it had already given up two back-to-back games of 100+ yards on the ground. The Badgers allowed 120 against Western Michigan and 123 against South Dakota. So when Bama rolled in with a scrambling quarterback of Jalen Milroe and an electric RB in Jam Miller, the Crimson Tide poured it on for 181 yards.
This year, it's different. The Badgers are two games into the season, and they've allowed 34 rushing yards to Miami (OH) and 33 rushing yards to Middle Tennessee. DeBoer has noticed, and it's the part he identifies on the defensive side as a cause for worry.
To make matters worse, Alabama's running game has been suspect so far this year. They only had 87 rushing yards against Florida State and 212 against LIU (who they beat by 73 points!) This could put a lot on Ty Simpson to move the football
This isn't a look ahead to Georgia week for the Crimson Tide; they need every win now after losing to Florida State in the opening game of the season. DeBoer knows it and is taking the Badgers very seriously.