Alabama vs. Wisconsin CFB Week 3 odds, prediction and best bet: Take Tide as big favorite

The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide head north to Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday for a showdown with head coach Luke Fickell’s Wisconsin Badgers.

This will be an unfamiliar matchup with only two previous meetings in each school’s rich history. Oddsmakers lean heavily in favor of Alabama, as the Crimson Tide are 16-point favorites and the total (over/under) sits at 49.5.

CFB Week 3 Alabama vs. Wisconsin odds

When the early college football betting lines were released in May, Alabama was an 8.5-point underdog. The point spread slowly increased during the offseason and spiked greatly when the season began.

The Badgers are undefeated through two weeks but failed to cover the spread in both matchups.

Wisconsin trailed in the fourth quarter of Week 1 vs. Western Michigan but earned a 28-14 victory. The Badgers maintained control in Week 2, beating South Dakota (FCS) 27-13.

Alabama had another scare vs. USF, but the Tide’s offense couldn’t be stopped in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide have a +89 scoring differential with defeats of Western Kentucky and South Florida.

Why Alabama could win as the favorite

The Jalen Milroe-Ryan Williams connection has been stellar through two weeks. Williams has racked up 207 receiving yards and three touchdowns, giving Alabama an excellent downfield threat.

Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have formed a great backfield duo. The Crimson Tide’s 266 rushing yards per game are second-best in the SEC. The Badgers have struggled to limit opponents on the ground, creating a significant weakness for Miller and Haynes to exploit.

Unlike Wisconsin teams of years past, led by superstar running backs such as Ron Dayne, Melvin Gordon and Jonathan Taylor, the Badgers aren’t as dominant on the ground in 2024. QB Tyler Van Dyke has been average, and the offense doesn’t excel in any area.

Alabama has a lot of matchup edges vs. Wisconsin and should leave the crowd at Camp Randall Stadium silent by the end of the game.

Why Wisconsin could win as the underdog

Keeping pace with Alabama early would help keep the Wisconsin faithful engaged. If the Badgers trail big by halftime, it’s hard to imagine Camp Randall Stadium providing much energy in the second half.

Wisconsin must find a way to slow Miller and Haynes, which will be more difficult with star LB Jake Chaney out for the first half of Saturday’s game.

Van Dyke needs to step up for the Badgers to pull the upset. The Miami transfer has 406 passing yards and one touchdown, ranking in the bottom half of Big Ten starting QBs.

When a heavily favored team like Alabama suffers an upset, the underdog typically wins the turnover battle. Wisconsin’s offense has four fumbles and two fumbles lost, which must be eliminated to stay in the fight vs. the Crimson Tide.

Alabama vs. Wisconsin prediction

Alabama to cover the 16-point spread is my prediction for Saturday’s game in Madison, Wisconsin. The Crimson Tide’s victory over USF wasn’t pretty, but Milroe and the offense got in rhythm when it mattered the most.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer’s squad has handled its first two opponents, while the Badgers have yet to earn an overly impressive win. Alabama has matchup advantages all over the field and should leave Madison 3-0 with another blowout victory.