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Wisconsin star says Alabama’s offense lines up with a “We’re better than you” scheme

Ricardo Hallman says that Alabama runs an "arrogant offense."
ByMark Knight|
Wisconsin cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) is shown during the first quarter of their game Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Purdue 52-6.
Wisconsin cornerback Ricardo Hallman (2) is shown during the first quarter of their game Saturday, October 5, 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin beat Purdue 52-6. | Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Wisconsin Badgers are preparing to face off against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Sunday with all the doubts thrown at them. The chip on their shoulder is big, especially after feeling embarrassed last year. When asked to preview the offensive scheme for Bama, star defensive back Ricardo Hallman said that the Crimson Tide runs an "arrogant offense."

They line up with a "we are better than you" mentality, and that it's the defense's job to prove them wrong. He didn't mean this with any sort of diss or even to slam Alabama; it was a matter-of-fact sort of thinking. They walk into every game thinking, believing, and performing as if they are the best team on the field, and as a defensive player, you have to prove them wrong.

Ricardo Hallman says the reason Wisconsin lost last year was because Alabama was way more physical

Related: Alabama is in trouble this season and Wisconsin is not and that will matter Saturday

Hallman said it's a challenge to line up across from Alabama. You can't go in scared or nervous; you need to be the more physical team. This was the problem last year in his mind. Alabama was the much more physical team. The Badgers now know that and are preparing accordingly. This year, Wisconsin plans to match or exceed Alabama's physicality.

They can't go in and let the Crimson Tide push them around, or it will be the same result as last year, with a different venue. The defense needs to hold the line, stop the run, shut down Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, and keep the game close.

Last year's game was revealing not only to the players but also to Coach Luke Fickell, who decided this offseason they had to improve the run defense. And so far he has.

Look at the stats above; they played worse opponents to start 2024 and got worked on the ground. This year, they played actually harder non-conference opponents and held them in check. The big test will be on Saturday. If they can keep Alabama under 100 yards and force Simpson to throw the ball, Alabama could be in for another surprise.

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