No. 20 Wisconsin vs. No. 3 Alabama (-10), Saturday, 8:00 pm ET, ABC (Arlington, Tex.)
Kevin: Big boy football! I doubt this game will be all that entertaining, unless Wisconsin keeps the game close because who doesn’t like to see the Crimson Tide lose? Wisconsin has the experience to compete in this game, but they’ll be replacing their more experienced offensive linemen, giving the vaunted Bama defensive line an opportunity to create havoc at the line. Both teams were unkind to gamblers last season but Alabama in particular has gone 4-11-1 against the spread in their last sixteen games. Lane Kiffin is going to be tweaking a new quarterback and trying to get an offense going around him, but the Alabama running game should be in its usual form. If Alabama can avoid costly turnovers and get to the QB, I really doubt that they’ll struggle, so I say with some certainty to take Alabama -10.
John: Last year, Bama only beat West Virginia by 10 in their season opener. A team that wound up just 7-6, 5-4 in the Big 12. Sure, that was at a neutral field, but you know those Bammers. It was in the ATL and they consider (with fairly good reason) that to be their home field. Point? They win, but they also get punched in the nose by a team that always manages to play pretty physical. Take the points and the Badgers.
