Kalen DeBoer says Alabama will embrace ‘great environment’ at Wisconsin

Kalen DeBoer knows there’s no place like home, but he’s ready for his Alabama squad to embrace one of college football’s top environments: Camp Randall at Wisconsin.

DeBoer’s first game coaching Alabama against a Power 4 opponent will come on the road as the Crimson Tide head to Madison for a clash with Luke Fickell’s Badgers.

So far, DeBoer’s tenure is off to a 2-0 start. Alabama has home wins Western Kentucky (63-0) and USF (42-16). DeBoer was asked on Monday about getting the Tide ready to go on the road.

“There’s nothing like playing at home here at Bryant-Denny, but I think there is something to knowing you’re going into a great environment,” DeBoer told reporters. “These guys really probably haven’t been there— maybe a couple guys from the Midwest that have seen that or been on a visit maybe at one point.

“It’s going to be a great atmosphere up there. And I think it’s one that when you’re preparing to go play those games, and we’ll of course have that many times here with the SEC schedule too, that hostile environment, taking it on and just kind of knowing that it’s you versus everyone there. I think our guys are looking forward to the challenge and looking forward to improving on this last week and knowing that we’re going to have to in order to get a win against Wisconsin on Saturday.”

Alabama’s trip to Wisconsin is part of a home-and-home series. The Badgers are set to visit Tuscaloosa on Sept. 13, 2025.

At Washington, DeBoer only lost 3 games in two seasons. All 3 contests were played away from home. DeBoer’s Huskies only 2 losses of the 2022 season came in back-to-back weeks at UCLA and Arizona State. Washington’s only loss of the 2023 campaign was the College Football Playoff National Championship game played at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Saturday’s SEC-B1G clash is getting FOX’s Big Noon treatment, and will kickoff at noon ET.